Decor we can do without
Is your home full of pastels, faux farmhouse styling and way too many houseplants? Sharon Stephenson has some bad news, sorry.
There have been many lessons from the past two years: how to keep a sourdough starter alive; glasses and masks aren’t always a happy combination; and where we sleep is now also our office, homeschooling space and gym.
We’re all tired of looking at the same four walls, so if you need inspiration with ideas for renovating, we’re here to help.
We asked four interiors experts which trends from last year will date faster than an avocado bathroom suite, and which hot new styles we should look to for 2022.
Emily Hunt Hunt Interior, Kāpiti Coast
There are a few interior trends I think have had their day. It’s not that I don’t like them, but it’s simply time to move on.
That includes white subway tiles. Yes, they’ve been popular for years, but I believe they’ve finally hit their use-by date. Instead, I predict we’ll see a lot more colour in tiling as well as earthy, handmade tiles and lots of matt and textured finishes.
How to lay tiles is also changing: We’ll see vertical or horizontal stacked, basket-weave or smaller square tiles becoming more popular.
The all-grey interior trend also gets my thumbs-down. I think we’re going to see more colour in walls and furnishings, with softer neutrals in warm tones of taupes, clay, browns and soft greens.
And Kiwis are definitely opting for more interesting kitchens with lots of warm timber, natural stone and green or blue cabinetry; it’s all about bringing the outside in.
Looking forward to 2022, we’ll see more curves – from arches and kitchen islands/benches to round coffee tables, side tables and sofas. Curves are also extending to homewares and lighting.
Coloured glass is making a comeback, and one-off pieces that throw light and colour around the room are starting to be seen in Europe and will no doubt hit New Zealand soon.
Bridget Foley Bridget Foley Design, Wellington/ Auckland
Thankfully, I didn’t see too many interior crimes in 2021. I’ve never been one to follow trends, but one thing I’ve never liked, and am definitely over, is anything tropical – especially tropical wallpaper and fabrics with palm prints everywhere, and too many houseplants.
Feature walls have had their time in the sun. And polyester carpet should never be seen – it isn’t sustainable, and it’s not terribly pleasant. It’s exciting to see companies going back to their roots with woollen carpets.
Looking forward, we’re all spending more time at home, so people are definitely seeking calmer, comfortable interiors. Working from home is big, so many clients want functional but beautiful desks and chairs as well as good storage.
Clients are going for beautiful, soft fabrics such as velvets, washed linens and silks to curl up with after a hard day’s work and homeschooling.
Investing in beautiful art is becoming more important as people spend more time at home.
Buying New Zealand-made furniture is definitely on the rise, with many manufacturers booked up months in advance. I also see a move towards the ‘‘buy well, buy once’’ trend where we stop filling landfills by buying good quality items that last and are cheaper in the long run.
Kristyn Thomas The Sunday Society, Waikato
A key interior trend I hope never to see again is faux farmhouse style. Well, faux anything, really, but the endless shiplapping and barn doors in homes with absolutely no rural or agricultural connection has to stop.
As we spend more time at home than ever before, dedicated working from home spaces will become even more crucial.
Previously, the trend was to incorporate a desk almost as a token, tucked away to the side of the kitchen or down a hallway, but I believe we’ll see the return of the dedicated home office.
Our ongoing love affair with open-plan living may also be coming to an end as endless Zoom meetings and homeschooling lead us to wish for a door to shut.
Natural, ‘‘lived in’’ and tactile elements will continue to be important in 2022: As we seek sanctuary within our homes, that real sense of shelter and protection they provide will be translated into pieces that have soul and a sense of comfort.
Boucle (looped yarn), colours lifted from nature (particularly all shades of green), and natural materials such as vintage timber, leather, natural stone and rattan will be popular, as well as sink-into sofas, plush cushions and treasured heirloom pieces that evoke a sense of history, nostalgia and timelessness.
Because shops were closed during lockdown, we’ve had time to reflect on our consumption
habits, and hopefully we’re making more considered decisions about what we buy – choosing artisan, direct-fromthe-maker perfectly imperfect one-offs rather than massproduced cookie-cutter options.
I see that trend for handmade ceramics, original artworks and vintage treasures continuing into 2022.
Mal Corboy Mal Corboy Design, Auckland
Pastels have truly had their day, and it’s time to move on.
I believe there will be a move towards warm, enveloping colours such as coppers, rich browns, greens and accents of texture.
Curtains are becoming more popular, with beautiful materials available that make a room shine.
Thanks to lockdowns, clients want their homes to work differently and to have more defined spaces for work and personal sanctuaries. In apartments, this can be challenging with limited space, so I’m predicting a rise in office desks that fold away and dining chairs that double as work chairs yet fit in with their surroundings.
Although outdoor living has always been key, it will be even more so heading into 2022: We’re commonly designing these spaces as extensions of our homes with outdoor kitchens and lounges perfect for entertaining or getting out of the house.
We’ve seen investment in some serious cooking equipment, from barbecues though to wood-fired ovens and smokers. There’s even a pizza oven for people who have limited space – it’s compact and folds away easily.