3 Pandemic-Inspired Interior Design Trends That Will Continue in 2022

Home offices

Most households don’t have a designated workspace, so many people had to improvise during the pandemic by repurposing existing spaces. However, once it became apparent that fully remote or hybrid working was here to stay, people began to make more permanent adjustments. Be it a secluded corner of a room or a separate home office, having a specific space used only for work has now become common. This is likely to be reflected in architectural designs in coming years.

It has also become important for these spaces to be aesthetically pleasing. There is more emphasis on ensuring the home workspace is prepared for Zoom calls – i.e. putting artwork, plants, natural lighting and zero clutter in the background – and is conducive to productivity and mental wellbeing.

Bringing nature indoors

Being constantly cooped up indoors gave people a newfound appreciation for nature and inspired them to think of new ways to incorporate it into their everyday lives. For many, this meant bringing it into their homes.

Adding greenery to living spaces makes us feel closer to nature and boosts physical and mental wellbeing. Getting house plants, creating a roof garden, finding a windowsill herb planter, or even just putting a vase of flowers on the dining room table worked wonders during lockdown, and will continue to do so post-pandemic.

Using biophilic architectural designs to cultivate calming, revitalising spaces through visual connection with nature is likely to grow in popularity over the next few years. We will also see increased demand for more conscious, eco-friendly homes which use natural construction materials such as brick, stone, and wood. Glass has also become increasingly popular, as it enables this visual connection with the outside world, increases natural light, and makes spaces seem bigger.

Multifunctionality

Prior to the pandemic, spacious open-plan homes were on-trend. However, after almost two years of spending more time at home and using that space for many different activities – for example working or learning from home, or even virtual gym classes – some designers think that older format homes with more rooms or seperate spaces could make a comeback.

With these new usage requirments, the demand for interiors to offer flexibility is on the rise. Consumers are looking for multipurpose spaces that are not only complex, diverse and interesting but also private and practical. This can’t be achieved with a single large, open-space room with everything exposed. Features like fold-away beds, pocket doors and retractable walls are the key to creating a multifunctional home that serves its required purpose but maintains the quiet and considered atmosphere that separate rooms can provide when needed.