Bring the latest millennial interior design trends into your own home

From mixing vintage and new to multifunctional furniture, here’s how 2022’s on-trend homes will look

Whether you’ve lived in your home for ages and feel it’s looking tired and needs a revamp, or you’ve just moved in and want your new house to look bang up-to-date, you may be struggling to know exactly what’s ‘in’ for homes.

But up-and-coming interior designers are predicting that multifunctional spaces and furniture, smart tech furnishings, and a mix of vintageand new will be trending this year.

“Until now, individuals assumed they had to choose between sleek minimalist and modern interiors, or a vintage look,” says Esra Kumbasar (pictured), of the Accouter Group of Companies (agofc.com) design collective. “But this year, we’ll move past this, cu rating a hybrid concept that combines the merits of both, and enables individuals to be more environmentally-conscious when sourcing items.”

And design specialist Rachel Epstein, creative director of décor furniture company CARME Home (carmehome.com), adds: “Tech-savvy millennials are all about convenience and have an expectation for everything to be on-hand, so it’s inevitable that integrating user-friendly smart technology into the home is going to be a big trend too.”

Here are the designers’ predictions for 2022’ sm ill en ni al home design trends…

1.Sustainability

“Millennials are far more conscious of the way the world’s natural resources are diminishing,” Kumbasar points out. “Moving into 2022, they’ ll have a greater focus on sustainability in terms of the materials they use and the brands they shop from.

“In line with this, we expect to see the rental furniture revolution accelerate. Rather than disposing of old items and purchasing new pieces, renting offers the perfect solution – while also being for more affordable.”

2. In with the old and new

Kumbasar says vintage design is set for a revival in 2022 because millennials are concerned about the environmental impact of fast fashion and furniture, and are seeking everlasting pieces with elegance and charm.

“From Victorian wooden furniture or panelling, mouldings and occasional chairs, to statement accents and vases and pottery, we’ll see an increased demand for these items as people mix the old and new in an ethical and sustainable fashion ,” she predicts.

3. Smart( in more ways than one) furniture

“Millennials have grown up with technology, it’s become an essential part of their daily routine, and so it’s no surprise that technology will become even more prominent in the home ,” says Epstein. There’s a huge variety of smart tech furniture available these days, ranging from colour-changing side boards, touchscreen coffee tables with glass surfaces that double as computer screens, dressing tables with LED colour-changing lights and charging ports, and lamp tables with charging ports and hidden Bluetooth speakers.

4. Comfortable curves

Gone are the days of sharp edges and clean lines – instead, the curvy design trend is thriving, explains Kumbasar. “Spending more time at home, millennia ls are seeking concepts that make a space feel more comfortable,” she says.

5.Minimalism

Kumbasar says although some people think minimalist design is harsh, “it can be an enticing haven of serenitythat makes spaces feel less constrictive.”

She suggests that people who want to make their home – or a room, at least – more minimalist, should start by concentrating on one or two main items of furniture, which highlight the purpose of the room and will create focal points. Neutral colours are important, but she points out that using organic shapes, textures and contra sting surfaces will create a special effect.

6. Black is back( if it ever went away)

Epstein says black’s boldness makes it popular with millennials who like to keep their home décor minimalistic, while still making a statement. “In interior design, millennials are more drawn to darker colours, as it portrays sophistication, elegance and is a classic look,” she says.

7. Statement lighting

Kumbasar points out that lighting fixtures aren’t just a practicality but are the central ‘jewellery’ in a room. “Carefully placed, cleverly-designed, and well-crafted lights can completely transform an entire interior,” she stresses.

8. Multi functional furniture

“Thanks to our ‘new normal’ of remote working, millennials are the working-from-home generation, yet many live in small flats or house-shares,” says Epstein. “Investing in furniture that serves more than one purpose to make the most out of a smaller living space is key .”

Multifunctional furniture ranges from Ottoman beds with storage underneath and dressing tables that convert into desks, to storage sofa beds and hideaway desks that look just like standard sideboards when not in use.

9. Bringing nature inside

Having lived through the Covid pandemic, Kumbasar says millennials are increasingly looking for a home space that lends itself to optimal wellbeing and mental health, by using natural materials, introducing more light and displaying plants inside the home.

This is known as ‘biophilic interiors’, which she says can create a sense of calm, and positive emotion. Biophilic trends have been on the rise for some time, and Kumbasar thinks 2022 will see more vegetation – including plants and greenery – within the home, more natural light, increasing popularity of natural materialssuch as rat tan, cane and raffia, and colour palettes centred on clean hues and earthy tones.