Interior Design Trends This Autumn/Winter 2022

We’ve entered that time of year when the days are colder, the nights are cosier and the leaves turned into a collage of burnt umbers and rust. As we delve deep into the festive month, no time is better to match your home with the season and welcome its embrace.

We’ve collated a list of 5 of our favourite interior design trends that are being used by design experts for this autumn/winter. Which one will be your favourite? Read on to find out!

It’s Time to Invite Nature In

Outside, nature is all around us, and now it’s time for it to be all around us inside, too. Whether it’s been called ‘bare essentials’ or ‘eco-sustainability’, there’s no doubt that nature is taking over this season. And we are in full support of it.

With environmentally friendly practices rapidly on the rise across multiple aspects of living, it comes as no surprise that eco-living has made its way into interior design as well.

This design trend is all about using natural materials and unique craftsmanship. Upcycling is a great way of doing this; taking an old piece of furniture, or scraps of raw material, and creating something both practical and visually attractive adds a lot of personality to your home. For example, taking a slab of wood and turning it into a coffee table using metal framing creates a beautifully contrasting appearance.

The neutral tones found in keeping with a natural aesthetic not only create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, but they really allow accent features to pop. For example, dotting multiple plants around your house not only adds to the naturalistic feel, but their luscious greenery stands out vividly (we recommend monstera or rubber plants); or perhaps you have some artwork, decorative cushions, or a rug that you can use to add a splash of colour.

Biophilic design is both clean and harmonious, and offers a great way to ensure your statement pieces don’t get lost with the rest of your room.

The 70s Are Making a Comeback

Whilst the busyness of 70s interior design may not be coming back in full swing, certain features that are no doubt characteristic of the 70s are indeed making their way into our homes in an ode to the iconic era.

Bold patterns are one such that are on the rise. A popular way of incorporating patterns into a room is through the use of accent walls. Patterned accent walls add excitement and character to a space, yet do so without overwhelming your eyesight and appearing too garish.

Decorative tiles have also grown in popularity again as of late, with these being another great way to incorporate pattern and colour into your home. Having a decorative tiled wall in your bathroom or a tiled splashback wall in your kitchen brings life to these areas, but does not heavily distract from other design features.

Another 70s design staple we’re seeing the rebirth of is earthy tones. After having minimalist greys and beiges being all the rage for the past few years, earthy tones (such as olive greens and terracotas) are making their way back up the popularity ladder. These shades feel warm and inviting, making your home feel the same way. They give it character, rather than making it feel lifeless. Not to mention, they are well-fitting with the season.

Adding to the trend is the return of low lying furniture. Low sofas, deep chairs and futons create a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for living rooms where you wish to rest and let the day’s stresses melt away, or encouraging your guests to relax when they come over.

It’s All About Curves

Curves are a subtle yet highly impactful way to make a space feel more inviting. By softening the harshness of lines and corners, your house can become more welcoming and streamlined.

Using curves in your interior design creates more fluidity. They suggest movement, seamlessly bringing together your space so that everything fits together harmoniously and nothing feels out of place.

There are many ways you can incorporate curves into your home. Doing so through your furniture is perhaps the easiest; you could have chairs with curved backs or arms, vertically or horizontally rounded TV stands, or round tables. Tables with wooden tops, for example, can be formed with an uneven shape if you want something more rustic and less clean-cut, yet still not angular like a traditional rectangular table.

Curves can also be introduced through structural aspects of your home. Having archways between rooms, or arched doorways, help to make your home feel more open and coherent between rooms. Similarly, arched windows make the contrast between the inside and outside appear and feel not quite so discordant.

Dark Academia

With Halloween fast-approaching, dark academia and gothic influences seem like apt design choices to incorporate into your home.

Embracing dark colours, rich textures and vintage decor, this aesthetic is a great way to create an elegant, yet surprisingly homely, ambience. Think Hogwarts, but with more sophistication and comfort.

If you didn’t want to paint all your walls dark (as is traditional with dark academia and gothic design), having wainscot panelling could be an effective way to lessen the intensity; offering a sense of brightness whilst letting the gothic inspiration still shine through.

Candles are a staple in this design trend. If you wish to keep it modern, jar candles would work just fine – you also get to enjoy your favourite scents filling the room. Or, if you really want to keep it authentic, altar candles held in candle sticks give a brilliant appearance, especially when you can see their wax drips. As well as saving on electricity (something everyone is desperately trying to do in our current climate), candles create great mood-lighting that’s perfect for relaxing with a good book, or enjoying a glass of wine and a film with friends.

Speaking of a good book, books can be great decorative features – be it a pile of books on your coffee table, or a collection lining a bookcase. To fit in with the dark academia trend, use books with a vintage appearance or without their dust jackets, since these really add to the aesthetic.

To integrate rich textures into your home, consider your furnishings. Velvet couches give both a luxurious appearance and are soft to the touch, meaning your comfort is not compromised. In contrast, leather furniture (such as bench seats or armchairs) is complementary to dark colours and reflects light in such a way that boasts its unique texture. Furthermore, vintage leather furniture really adds character to a room, especially when it is aged or imperfect.

You can even incorporate dark academia design into the bathroom – switching your typical porcelain tub for a copper one adds texture and dimension. What’s even better is it will keep your bath water hotter for longer, too!

It’s All About Bouclé

Whilst this last trend may be a decorative asset, rather than a style in and of itself, we thought it still worth mentioning.

Bouclé is a fabric in which the yarn is woven with loops, either large or small, to give a soft textured appearance and feel.

Upholstery made out of bouclé has become increasingly popular as of late. It is a unique fabric that provides comfort and texture and is versatile for use in any room.

For example, it can be used on sofas or footstools in the living room, providing your family and guests with inviting comfort. It could also be used to make cushions, acting as cosy accents – we’ve even seen some bouclé knot cushions that would be perfect for kids’ rooms, or even in your living areas to add shape and originality!

In the bedroom, bouclé could be used as a blanket or even a duvet cover – a warmer, softer alternative to traditional cotton, something which would be much appreciated in the colder months ahead (especially taking into account the rise of heating bills this year!).

Being both sophisticated and fun, we are all for bouclé becoming a household name and essential material in our homes.

Accredited Interior Designers

Are you feeling inspired by these trends and want to update your home? The Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID) are who you need.

Here at SBID, we can put you in touch with accredited interior designers who work to the trading standards we have set in the industry.Alternatively, you can check out our designer directory, allowing you to source a trusted design professional (who is SBID accredited) that is local to you and specialised in an area best suited for your project.

If you require help creating your interior design visions, please don’t hesitate to contact us today; we’ll put you in touch with a professional interior designer who can turn your vision into a reality.