As restrictions are slowly but surely lifted and supply chains are mostly back up, it is a good moment for London homeowners to start the renovation they postponed.
Even though we had a pandemic going on, trends came and shifted, but what is next for 2022 in terms of interior design?
Sustainable interiors
No surprise here. Sustainable materials have been a trend for years and they are not going anywhere. Specify them inside and out. Brick, stone, turf and timber all qualify, and all of them age better than the alternatives.
Hygiene
The last 2 years taught us a good lesson about personal hygiene and its importance. Or its lack. The construction industry is adjusting to the need for hygiene with bacteria-resistant tiles and respiratory-health-grade air purifiers available.
If you are planning a renovation, it is worth asking which surfaces in the house are easy to keep clean and which are not.
After last week’s storm, some of you will be thinking about the structure. In a British house that usually means the roof coverings, the flashings, the rainwater goods and the trees near the foundations, rather than anything more dramatic.
Multifunctional rooms
If you work from home some days, you may already have an office. If you are ahead of a refurbishment, think about designing multifunctional layouts. Furniture factories have also stepped up their game, providing more versatile products.
The kitchen as social hub
Everyone likes a barbecue, and the British weather does not cooperate often enough. So the kitchen becomes the room people gather in, which is why the island keeps getting bigger.
Softer shapes
Curves are back. The past years favoured clean, modern lines but 2022 is welcoming back the 70s feel. Curved C-shaped sofas, soft-edge tables and the neutral genteel finish.
Takeaways:
1.Sustainability is key! Invest in natural materials.
2.Look for more hygienic surfaces.
3.Multifunctional spaces and furniture on demand!
4.The kitchen is the new social hub.
5.Curved, softer furniture is back.
Our in-house interior designers work on London houses every week. Tell us about the rooms you want to change.
Published 23 February 2022. Written by the NU Projects studio, edited since for house style and accuracy.