SCARSDALE, NY — The past two years and the impact of COVID-19 “have allowed homeowners to really assess what they want their home to reflect,” resulting in an overarching trend in home design for “creative expression, individuality and design freedom.”
That’s the assessment of residential design specialists at The Plan Collection, an online provider of home design plans, which says that people “have gone from having to be home to wanting to be at home in an environment that expresses their personalities and individual tastes.”
Design experts at the Scarsdale, NY-based The Plan Collection recently identified the following as among the key trends impacting residential design, including planning and product selection for kitchens and baths:
Homeowners “are tiring of all-white kitchens and countertops (and) want to add some spice,” The Plan Collection’s design experts said. “Expect painted or wood cabinets in appealing, warm and neutral hues, (and) countertops featuring alternative material choices, while granite remains popular.” Mixing two countertop materials – for example, granite countertops and hardwood for the kitchen island – will also gain in popularity, the company noted.
Curves, when done well, “add character and an element of surprise and delight to any home,” The Plan Collection said, pointing to a trend that “counters the ‘straight-line syndrome’ of recent years. Inside, expect to see more arched openings, barrel-vault ceilings and curvy furniture,” the company said. Outside, arched windows and doors, arched openings and ceilings for porches or decks, and curved walkways will become increasingly popular.
Homeowners will continue to embrace a “biophilic design” philosophy that features incorporating nature elements indoors, rather than simply mimicking colors found outside, according to The Plan Collection. “Expect to see a greater use of local, organic materials while maximizing sunlight, fresh air, plants and other natural elements within the home,” the online resource said. Homeowners will also be seeking more “place-based relationships between homes and the distinctive geographical and ecological features surrounding the home,” design experts added.
Maximalism, as seen in a Bohemian cottage or an ornate English manor, “will be embraced, as it provides individual expression and conveys freedom to show off personality,” The Plan Collection predicted. “While people are traveling less, they have more expendable income so that creative expressions of personality will infuse interior design. Furnishings, rugs, art and paint reflecting past travel destinations or future dream locations will bring this idea home.”
While natural, subtle colors and warm tones will continue to trend in 2022, black accents will be the exception, The Plan Collection said. Examples include interior and exterior black window frames, black lacquered entryway doors and black appliances – either shiny or matte, the company added. ▪