I have a confession: I live a double design life. By day, I dissect the work of the leading interior designers in our area, admiring all their sharp-angled tables, breakables, and minimal clutter-free spaces. But by the clock, my life and my home are definitely more off season. As the mother of an incredibly active 4-year-old and two 2-year-old twin girls, I’m in the “this is why we can’t have nice things” phase of life. If it could be spilled, dropped, smashed, or stained, my kids did. They routinely test the limits of performance fabrics and washable paint. Toys have taken up every space—and with Christmas days approaching, I don’t see this situation improving any time soon (unless Santa Claus has a big home addition in his sleigh).
So when I think about the design trends I’d like to see on the side of the road in 2022, I think of open-concept floor plans (who wants to see messes a mile away?), open shelves in place of upper cabinets in kitchens (drinking glasses don’t look like that?) Bright colors are great on screen), and other selfishly motivated tendencies. Of course, moms of young children aren’t the only ones who have developed an aversion to the common wallless areas that have become so ubiquitous; The epidemic focused on the advantages of the selected space. And the practicalities of storing in the open screen (dust, anyone?) became a deterrent for anyone who uses their rendering bits on a regular basis.
I’m also ready to say goodbye to lack of practicality in design. In the same way that the fashion world accepts that any full-skirt dress can and should have pockets, everything that can and should have a hidden storage component. Those of us who are afraid of our children telling them “no” also deserve beautiful, clutter-free homes.
Finally, I’m ready to ditch smart tech in home design, even though I’m smart enough (see what I did there?) to know it’s not going anywhere. But the need to have an app on my phone for everything from a diffuser to a temperature-controlled coffee mug coaster is unbelievable. In an increasingly digital world, I find myself craving analog, facing seemingly constant interruptions to Wifi networks, smart TV issues, or wireless speakers not connecting. In the words of the wise philosopher, 30-rock member Dennis Duffy: “Technology is cyclical.” One can only hope.
As for things I hope you stick with, I still love the natural wood trend in interiors. I can’t get enough of the carpentry details and stains like the ribbed walls, slotted holes, and fluted details. I also still love the boucle trend in furniture, as texture rather than bold color is my favorite way to add interest to a space.
Whatever the year – good, bad, and beautiful – I am ready to bid farewell to 2021 and usher in a new year full of possibilities. Here’s an inspiring (and clutter-free) 2022.
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Jessica Ooty
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Jessica Ooty is the Executive Editor of d home And d weddings. In 2006, she helped launch CEO Dr as…