Next year, homeowners will focus on making their homes safe, cozy and calming—that’s according to Zillow’s 2022 Home Trends report.
The online real estate marketplace company looked at housing market data from a variety of sources to identify several trends poised to shape the look and feel of homes in 2022.
Earthy aesthetic
The influence of nature comes indoors, with earth-inspired tones setting a calming scene in interior rooms. Shades of green, blue, taupe, and brown will dominate, as evidenced by Behr’s 2022 Color of the Year, Breezeway, a silvery green shade inspired by the sea.
Sea- and sky-inspired blues figure prominently, as well, particularly with paint colors. Zillow’s interior paint color analysis found homes with light blue bathrooms could sell for 1.6 percent more than expected, or nearly $5,000 on a typical U.S. home. Meanwhile, dark, moody blues in the bedroom could sell for a nearly $1,500 premium.
Sustainable sensibility
Mother Nature’s influence in the home goes beyond aesthetics. Consumers—particularly younger generations—are increasingly interested in sustainability and buying products for their homes that match their values.
According to First Insight’s The State of Consumer Spending report, younger generations are the most likely to make purchasing decisions based on their values and principles. And the Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey found that nearly one-third of respondents started or deepened consumer relationships with businesses that benefit the environment.
Secondhand style
Playing into the growing desire to be more eco-conscious, secondhand and resale furnishings have become more popular in part due to their reduced impact on the environment. And with supply chain issues creating delays and making it harder to get new furnishings in a timely manner, secondhand has become a viable alternative for those who want items now.
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Cozy comfort
After a year-plus of hunkering down at home during the pandemic, the desire for cozy, comfortable home goods continues into 2022. Sharp, clean lines have begun to give way to curved couches and rounded corners that envelope the body. And Zillow predicts nubby, textured upholstery will outshine leather, while ottomans will offer a more comfortable alternative to coffee tables.
These trends build on shifts that began during the pandemic, when many had the time and perspective to see their homes—and their lives—in a different way.
“The pandemic forced a lot of people to reevaluate what’s most important in their lives and in their homes,” said Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. “For many, 2022 is the moment to start living those values. That could be investing in sustainable home features, designing a space with well-being in mind or leaning into comfort and function over high style.”