They say too much of anything can be a bad thing, and that can go for design and building choices as well. When made to interact with home environments for months on end, even the most minute pain points have become apparent for homeowners. So, it makes sense that home building and design trends have shifted considerably in such a short period of time.

For Laurel Vernazza, home design expert at The Plan Collection, that huge shift has to do with a transition from homeowners “having to be home to wanting to be home in an environment that expresses their personalities and individual tastes. Since no one could travel, homeowners had to bring those experiences into their homes.”

As such, creative expression, individuality and design freedom have become the overarching trend, and for 2022, The Plan Collection’s team of experts have set up what they think that’s going to translate into building and design going forward.

What to Expect for 2022’s Home Building and Design Trends

Curves

“Curves, when done well, add character and an element of surprise and delight to any home. This trend counters the ‘straight-line syndrome’ of recent years,” says Vernazza.

They also reflect prominent biophilic design principles. Through variations of textures and celebrations of more natural forms, curved designs can help better represent the natural environment and thereby more closely connect home occupants with nature.

• Inside, this trend manifests as an increased interest in arched opening, barre-vaulted ceilings, and curvy furniture.
• Outside, arched windows, curved walkways and arched openings as a whole will find renewed favor.

Engaging Patterns

Here, the team see three trends at play:

• Lighter wood will become more desirable in material design.
• Old World craftmanship, such as two-tone inlays, patterns or nontraditional tones altogether, will gain greater prominence.
• Supply chain interruptions will push an upcycling movement, with reclaimed wood gaining greater traction as a material.

Biophilic Design

What started as simply adding potted plants and natural colors to a space continues to evolve thanks to both homeowners and the designers and architects pushing this concept to its utmost limit. And The Plan Collection sees this as only continuing to grow.

• Increased usage of organic materials with a focus on local sourcing will alongside the rising importance of light, fresh air and other natural elements in a home.
• More place-based relationships will emerge between the built environment and the surrounding landscape, adding distinct geographical and ecological features to a home’s design.

Anything But White in the Kitchen

Homeowners are getting sick of the sterilized, all-white kitchens and counters, predicts the Plan team, and in response, home owners will want to spice up their spaces with some specific design choices:

• Painted or wood cabinets in appealing warm and neutral hues.
• Alternative countertop materials (though they say granite will still be highly favored).
• A mixing of countertop materials (i.e. granite countertops and hardwood for the kitchen island).

Maximalism Bucks Minimalism

Leaning into the creative trend, The Plan Collection sees maximalism taking hold as an expression of greater individual freedom and personality. This also coincides with the rampant supply shortages in furniture and building materials.

• As new furniture inventories wane, people can be expected to start looking for high-quality antiques in response.

• With people traveling less, they will be more willing to spend money otherwise spent there on more creative furnishings, with rugs, art, paint and décor really doing the bulk of the work.

Black is the New Black

Despite the interest in warmer, natural colors, black accents will still hold popular sway in 2022.

• Here, The Plan Collection expects to see interior and exterior black window frames, black lacquered entryway doors and black appliances – either shiny or matte.

Concrete Makes Inroads on Lumber

With lumber prices expected to remain on the high side, there are a number of other benefits to concrete that the team feels will win many to its side for construction:

• Concrete block and insulated concrete form construction offers greater insulation which leads to higher energy efficiency in homes, and lower heating and cooling bills.
• Homes made from concrete better withstand weather extremes such as hurricanes and fires.
• Concrete lends itself to a variety of home styles, leaning once again into creativity and expression in home building.

Eco-Friendly Metal Roofing

Either covering the entire home, or simply providing an accent on a porch or awning, the team expects metal roofs rise in popularity due to their more ecological profile, as well as their durability: these roofs can last anywhere from 40 to 70 years before having to be replaced.