Country homes and interior
6 Big Interior Trends For 2022, According To Designers
In 2021, our homes continued to fulfill their hybrid role of both living and working spaces, as well as much-needed sanctuaries away from the uncertainty of the pandemic. This has and will continue to shape the future of interior design next year.
In 2022, how we decorate our homes will centre around sustainability in terms of the materials we use and brands we shop from, a renewed interest in bringing the natural world indoors, a restructuring of our living spaces to adapt to flexible working schedules, and a nostalgic dip into our design past.
"2022 will still have an emphasis on natural and sustainability in design," says Bo Hellberg, CMO of String Furniture. "There will be a blend of retro and natural colours, beige, warm hues and various shades of green. Generally a more neutral and basic colour scheme. We will continue to want the ideal home office, equally practical and stylish."
Below, eight design experts weigh in on what they believe will be the top interior design trends for 2022. ..
Sustainability and natural materials
Sustainability, a responsible use of materials, and the rise of the 'biophilia' trend is predicted to be a leading design trend of 2022.
Ben White, design and trade expert at Swyft says: "Sustainability and use of organic materials have become prominent in recent years. With the public's increased exposure to climate change, the idea of sustainability has fed into the interior industry and our homes. This will translate into how we buy furniture; a move towards furniture items with reclaimed woods and accessories with recycled glass and metal.”
Sustainability trends in 2022 will focus on materials used in the home. Interior expert, Chloe Jonason, says: "Vintage textiles, and fabrics that are produced sustainably and with a slow ethos which moves away from mass production. From responsible companies with sustainability at their core who have a focus on handmade items that will last a lifetime."
Our furniture, too, will move towards responsible design and manufacture.
Bo predicts that cork will play a large part in a growing 'biophilia' trend. “Both renewable and biodegradable, cork is making its way into the kitchen for 2022,” says Bo. “Cork is a material part of the 'biophilia' trend, where we seek to connect with nature and organic materials and plant life, in our homes. It is obviously inherently sustainable and brings warmth and texture to any surface or space, but it’s also ideal for insulating, which makes it great for kitchens.”
Reworking the living space
The makeshift home offices we set up at the kitchen table or on the family sofa will no longer cut it in 2022. Embracing the trend towards hybrid working will necessitate a move to a more evolved work space.
Ben says: "2020 changed the way we lived, slept and worked. There became this move towards 'zoning' and creating areas for each area of our life. Compartmentalising made it easier for us to keep some normality in a very abnormal situation."
"We are now smarter with our home purchases, keeping the room’s flow in the foreground of our decisions.
Next year, we will be looking at pieces that have dual functions which can adapt as we change throughout the day with a view to keeping open plan living spaces."
Chloe advises a considered approach to the home office: "Create comfortable workspaces in the home, and look for products that will help with this, for example, ergonomic chairs that look attractive, good storage options, a beautiful desk, a handily positioned waste paper bin, a functional space that enhances your home."
Nature-inspired design
"Bringing the outside in; it’s a trend we’ve spoken about for a while," says Ben, "but next year it will come into fruition. We will see green and natural tones blended into our interiors through the use of plants, timber and terracotta. We might also see the use of green velvet sofas, sage or olive painted walls or jute textured rugs."
The experts at GoodMove analysed Google search data to reveal trends in popular paint colours, revealing soft greens as one for 2022.
"We’ve seen a resurgence in popularity for sage green tones in the past few years, and 2022 is the year for grey-green. This silvery-green hue is perfect for living rooms as it is the colour of harmony and renewal, helping to emit feelings of calm and relaxation and is a great way of bringing the outside in too."
At the same time, our earthy browns and terracottas will introduce a touch of warmth. "The term ‘terracotta walls’ has increased by 86 per cent in the UK over the past year," says Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice, "These reddish-brown and tan hues colours will be a top pick for autumn and winter trends and sets the scene for elegant layering. In the bedroom, match a reddish clay backdrop with a grey velvet bed and cosy linen bedding for a calming (and grounding) feel."
Blue is the new black
Earlier this year, Dulux named 'Bright Skies,' a light and airy blue, as its Colour of the Year 2022. A shade promoting tranquility and restfulness, making it the perfect choice for a bedroom, as well as offering a fresh and airy base palette in a kitchen or bathroom.
‘Blue is set to be one of the most popular colours for bedrooms in 2022," says Joanna Ross, Manager of Product & Innovation at Sheridan. "It can have a positive effect on mood as it connects us to a blue sky or ocean found in nature, which helps us to feel relaxed...Whether you add a dark blue feature wall or incorporate a blue textured quilt cover like our Marsella Marlin Quilt cover the colour blue is known to help calm the mind and produce a feeling of tranquillity – and who isn’t looking for some of this before going to sleep at night."
Elsewhere in the home, blues can be used as the perfect base to let accessories shine. Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin, says: "The boldness and warmth found in blue will continue to be prominent in our homes. Darker colours form a much better background for paintings and artworks than white, which art galleries and museums have discovered."
Antiques and thrifting
Antiques and vintage finds are predicted to become the preferred green resource for the home, with millennials and Gen Z looking to second hand marketplaces and apps like the soon-to-be launched, Narchie.
"We are looking for upcycled, antique or used furniture which has a story to tell," says Ben, "not only does its origin create great conversations, but it’s a greener approach to furnishing the home."
Camilla Clarke at Albion Nord shares her thoughts on antiques leading the way in 2022: "As the use of antiques in the home has gathered momentum in the mainstream over the last year, we’ll see shoppers looking for more specific styles and becoming more discerning in the kinds of antique pieces they want in their homes. This is especially true of antique wooden furniture."
"Mid-century coffee tables and chairs will always be popular, but AW21 and beyond we will see a resurgence in more decorative, 17th-century styles with thoughtful details like hand-turned bobbin or barley twist legs. We have noticed bobbin furniture is increasingly popular at antique markets and auction, and this is reflected in some of the contemporary homeware companies."
A return to retro
"Next year's trends will be driven by culture," says Ben.
"In popular TV shows like Halston, Glow and Pose, for example, there are nostalgic elements of the interior design of the 70s and 80s that will start to make a comeback next year. I think this will present itself in the purchase of statement pieces. Think of velvet armchairs that are plush, comfy with rounded edges – items that feed the soul."
In practice this will mean a resurgence of nostalgic design references, such as boucle, metallics, and coloured glass.
In lighting too, we are predicted to see nostalgic seventies and eighties design elements. Matthew Currington, Technical Director at The Lighting Superstore says: "In 2022, the seventies trend will be back bigger than ever, with a technicolour of luxe greens, turquoise, sunshine yellows and warm orange hues. For a gentler touch of seventies glamour, mushroom lamps add a sculptural elements that casts a warm ambiance from the dome. According to Etsy's 2021 report on home decor trends, searches for mushroom lamps have ballooned by 371 percent year on year over the past three months.
"
14 sets for your festive dinner table
Type keyword(s) to searchWe earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
'Tis the season to invest in your dinnerware.
By Lauren Codling
Emma Bridgewater
Thinking about investing in Christmas plates you can use year after year? From full-on Christmassy designs that’ll instantly add a festive feel, to pared-back options you could use all year round, we’ve found some great crockery for your table.
Depending on what you’ll be serving, it’s worth thinking ahead before you buy – will you need dessert plates for Christmas pudding, or side plates for bread rolls? Or are you keen to serve all your food on festive-themed crockery?
Think about the functionality of your Christmas plates too. Christmas Day can be hectic, so if you’re worried about the cleaning up process then best to stick to dishwasher safe dinnerware.
To suit all your needs, we’ve picked out a range of options (dinner sets and individual plates), and noted which Christmas plates are dishwasher and microwave-friendly. So, if it's catering for a busy family meal or a Christmas tea party with friends, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a roundup of our favourite Christmas plates for 2022.
Best Christmas plates
anthropologie.com
Christmas Time in the City Dessert Plate
Best Christmas plates
thewhitecompany.com
Celebrate Serving Plate
Best Christmas plates
marksandspencer.com
Christmas Side Plates
Best Christmas plates
Les Ottomans amara.com
Hand Painted Ceramic Dinner Plate
Best Christmas plates
johnlewis.com
Star Glass Side Plate
Best Christmas plates
Cheney Penrose Designs iamfy.
co
Wild Winter Wreath & Snowy Owl Side Plate
Best Christmas plates
matalan.co.uk
Christmas Gnome Dinner Plate
Best Christmas plates
cathkidston.com
Christmas Scallop Side Plate
Best Christmas plates
Villeroy & Boch selfridges.com
Toy's Delight deep dinner plate
Best Christmas plates
Bordallo Pinheiro selfridges.com
Christmas charger plate
Best Christmas plates
emmabridgewater.co.uk
Personalised Hawthorn Berries Plate
Best Christmas plates
emmabridgewater.co.uk
Hawthorn Berries Small Oval Platter
Best Christmas plates
Seltmann Weiden wayfair.
co.uk
Ivory Christmas Dinnerware Set
£231.40
£154.27 (33% off)
SHOP NOW
Best Christmas plates
Seahorse notonthehighstreet.com
Christmas Eve China Plate
50 hardest parts of Christmas to master
9 Christmas window display ideas
What to do if you see these lumps on your tree
6 Christmas gift wrap ideas
Emma Bridgewater launches Christmas range
Windsor Castle unveils 2022 Christmas decorations
The ultimate Christmas quiz to try this year
Revealed: 12 Christmas dangers for pets
Step inside Sarah Raven's home at Christmas
King Charles' Christmas plans announced
Interior of a cottage or a country house: 70 photos, design ideas
The interior of the cottage should be as comfortable and cozy as possible so that its residents can really relax and take a break from the noise and everyday life outside the city.
The possibility of arranging a large area, the presence of high ceilings, as well as proximity to natural beauties - all this contributes to the use of a creative approach to creating a truly ergonomic space. To decorate the interior of a cottage or a country house, you need to follow a number of recommendations, which we will discuss below.
What designers advise
If the interiors of apartments in the city do not always depend on the features of the building, then the design of private houses will depend directly on the design of the building. For example, an Art Nouveau design is unlikely to look harmonious inside a wooden frame with traditional elements. In other words, the first recommendation is to maintain harmony between the interior and exterior of a country house.
As for the interior design of the room, we can say about the following nuances:
- Choose a single style for interior design;
- Provide the required color scheme;
- Choose high-quality modern finishing materials;
- Choose pieces of furniture that match the style;
- Make good use of decorative elements and artificial lighting.
All these factors must be taken into account in order to create a beautiful cottage interior.
Colors
When decorating any interior, including a country house, it is important to choose the right color solutions. The wrong palette can make you feel bad and reduce productivity. Of course, it all depends on individual preferences, but there are general patterns.
Furnishing a private house involves the use of several basic (more than four) shades of those colors that seem most attractive to the owner. But only one color should prevail for decorating the walls. It is recommended to give preference to neutral calm tones, while colorful shades should be used as accents. Remember that in a cozy cottage there is no need for excessive variegation, but it all depends on the style you choose, so there may be various color options.
One way to create an original interior is to combine smooth and embossed surfaces with different textures. In such a situation, even a monochromatic design looks contrasting and attractive.
Keep in mind that even just one textured detail can significantly enliven the space. For example, in a Scandinavian-style house, you can combine discreet curtains made of plain fabric and the same furniture upholstery with wicker chairs, large-knit covers, etc.
Furniture
In cottages or country houses it is better not to clutter up the space with a lot of furniture. Moreover, modern trends dictate the fashion for minimalism. This is especially true for small houses, where it is best to pick up multifunctional pieces of furniture, possibly folding ones. In spacious country houses, large-sized furniture looks better.
It must be remembered that the combination of large objects and small details will look the most harmonious. If you place exceptionally large structures in rooms, they will not be perceived expressively. But too many small elements will sooner or later begin to annoy the residents and guests of the house.
Lighting
Luminaires are selected based on their appearance.
It is important that during the day they fit into the overall style. Depending on the background, chandeliers, floor lamps or sconces are selected, they can be dark, light, golden - the main thing is that the atmosphere of a country house is stylistically coherent.
It is important to choose a lampshade wisely, so decide in advance which style you prefer - country, classic or minimalist. In large rooms, it is recommended to install large chandeliers, and for small rooms, compact lamps are more suitable.
Country house interior style
In country cottages, you can embody any design delights. However, in addition to fashion trends, be sure to take into account the individual preferences of the owners of the house. Consider the main characteristics of the most popular styles for interior design of cottages: country, provence, chalet, as well as Scandinavian and modern style.
Country cottage
This style will suit lovers of rustic romance and family traditions.
Country is the best option for owners of wooden houses.
Modern materials such as metal, glass or plastic are unacceptable in such interiors. For decoration, they often use wallpaper with floral motifs or stripes, decorative plaster or stone, imitation of a wooden beam.
Color solutions should be as natural as possible. For the living room, the main focus can be a fireplace, it is recommended to choose furniture that is not high. In the kitchen, put an old sideboard with shelves, a massive wooden table, linen or chintz curtains, and painted dishes.
Provence style cottage
This style is considered the ideal solution for creating a cozy countryside atmosphere. Mandatory attributes of the Provence style are considered to be the use of natural materials and floral motifs.
This fashionable French trend assumes an important role for furniture and decorative elements. Choose solid furniture, perhaps vintage or aged. It is best if it is in light shades.
As for decor, wicker elements, vases with lavender, porcelain and baskets look good in Provence style interiors. All this brings a unique atmosphere to the house and makes staying in it comfortable, which is very important for cottages or suburban buildings.
Chalet-style cottage
For wooden cottages, the chalet style is also suitable, which will create a fabulous cozy interior with minimal decoration. As a rule, the floor and ceiling in such buildings are wooden, and the ceiling beams remain visible.
The main characteristics of the style are conciseness, the use of natural materials with a minimum of processing, as well as environmental friendliness. A mandatory detail is the fireplace, which occupies a central place in the living room.
The decor includes the use of wool, leather and fur skins. Household appliances in the kitchen are hidden behind cabinets so that the atmosphere of antiquity is preserved in the house. As a chandelier, plafonds made in the shape of a candle are ideal.
Scandinavian style cottage
This direction is distinguished by restraint, minimal inclusion of decor and the use of high-quality natural materials. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on home improvement, but prefer modern trends and want to create a spacious, bright interior, pay attention to the Scandinavian style.
It is enough to level the walls in the house and choose a neutral background - most often it is just white paint. Wood is used as decoration. If necessary, the interior can be bright accents.
As for the furniture, it should be soft and comfortable, but the shape should be as simple as possible. In the Scandinavian style, natural wood is welcome. You can dilute the strict atmosphere with the help of pleasant little things, for example, unusual curtains or plants in a flower pot.
Modern style cottage
Interiors decorated in a modern style often use furniture made of inexpensive materials - wood, glass, plastic.
However, it is important to choose all items carefully so that they are reliable. In practice, the modern style is suitable for those who are used to changing the interior of a country house every few years.
Designers advise to avoid any decorative elements, then the space will remain light and airy, nothing will interfere with the residents and distract them. The ceiling is often left concrete, and the floor is made of neutral-colored sanded boards, laminate with a simple texture. Spotlights are installed in the rooms.
Cottage or country house interior - photo
No matter what style is chosen for the interior design of the cottage, comfort and a cozy atmosphere are the main elements. For those who are engaged in arranging their own home from scratch, it can be difficult to decide on the choice of color palette, finishing materials, furniture and accessories. Therefore, we recommend that you look at how various country houses look in reality. Get inspired by our selection of photos and experiment!
Cottage interior: design features of a country house
We have written a lot about the interior design of city apartments, it's time to pay attention to suburban objects.
Living far from the noise and emissions of megacities, country houses are special living organisms with an individual appearance and original inner content. The thoughtful design of the cottage is able to breathe soul into any building, turning it into a stronghold of comfort and family traditions. The interior design of a country house involves a number of features that must be considered when planning a cottage renovation.
Habitat and appearance
Cottage is not your apartment. If the latter is squeezed into multi-story dungeons of its own kind, then a country house is a free resident living in the local area. The project of the interior of the cottage should have a logical continuation in the form of work on the improvement of the site. Ideally, the inner world of the house should be in harmony with the landscape design of the surrounding area and the architecture of additional buildings. If a classic-style mansion suits straight paths and neatly trimmed bushes, then a rustic-style landscape design with clay pots on the fence and lush vegetation will become a worthy continuation of a log house a la rus.
As well as interior styles, landscape design styles are presented in an assortment - it remains only to choose the right one.
Tip: When choosing a landscape style for your home, evaluate your options sensibly - if you are not ready to cut bushes all day, opt for styles that preach naturalness. She is known to be trendy.
But above all, the interior design must match the architecture of a country house. If a log cottage hides a high-tech interior in a high-tech style or a palace flavor, the people living there are strange.
A single style chosen for the architecture of the building, interior design and landscape design will create a coherent picture that reflects the individual tastes of homeowners.
Inner world: planning features
great things. The larger the footage, the more room for creativity.
At the same time, the logic of distribution of functional areas in private houses is, as a rule, identical.
Conventionally, any suburban object can be divided into two main zones: public and master.
The common area is located on the ground floor and usually includes the living room, dining room and kitchen. An additional guest bathroom can also be located here - you can’t forbid living beautifully.
The first floors of modern cottages are dominated by open layouts - no doors or partitions. Is it worth making an exception for the bathroom - here the door is always welcome, otherwise there is complete freedom. Podiums, shelving and bar counters will help to correctly zone the space. The absence of extra walls and doors will allow natural light to better penetrate deep into the room.
For visual zoning of space, various finishing materials are often used, for example, if parquet is on the floor in the living room, then tiles are in the kitchen.
Mossebo's Provence style project demonstrates how to place several functional areas on the open plan of the ground floor of a country house.
The zones are marked out using decorative techniques: ceiling beams on the ceiling and wood paneling on the wall in the living area.
Residents of country houses, who love to work in the garden and walk among wildlife, bring more dirt on their shoes than clean city dwellers. Therefore, the decoration and organization of the hallway space in a private house should be given special attention, especially if it adjoins the guest area without any fences. This space should be as practical as possible, well-organized and easy to clean. The style and decor in the design of the hallway should not be neglected either - it is this room that meets the one entering the house, and it is from this that the interior design should begin.
The second floor is the perfect place for master bedrooms, offices and other private spaces. If there is an attic or an attic, fate itself favors the arrangement of an additional recreation area. Here you can arrange a chill-out with pillows or an entertainment room with billiards, table tennis and other joys of life.
Between the guest and host areas is one of the main elements of the interior of a country house - a staircase. This design should not only gracefully fit into the space, but also meet safety measures. These measures should also not be neglected when designing open balconies and fences on the second floor, especially if children and / or elderly people live in the house.
Free will: furnishing and color scheme
Ergonomic and compact furniture solutions are a real salvation for urban small spaces, but large-sized furniture forms may be preferred in the open spaces of private houses. You can not deny yourself furniture and storage systems, which is especially important when designing a kitchen in a cottage. There can be a large-scale kitchen set with a horde of cabinets and drawers, there is a place for assorted household appliances, a functional kitchen island and / or a bar counter. In the dining area, the place of a modest transforming table can be occupied by a full-fledged dining table for several people.
It is no coincidence that apartment owners prefer light colors in the interior - this solution allows you to visually expand the footage. Happy owners of private houses can afford to actively use dark shades. A dark contrasting wall in the middle of the living room - please, bare red brick, dark wood wall panels - the choice of colors and finishing materials depends only on individual preferences and stylistic decisions.
Another taboo for small apartments is active graphic prints that visually reduce the space. In such spaces, graphics have the right to appear only on decorative pillows. The interior of a large-sized cottage can cope with any graphic print, even on textiles, even on the wall.
Bright individuality: interior styles
The interiors of country cottages have no stylistic restrictions. Palace, classic, Scandinavian, high-tech - any style can form the basis of the interior if it matches the architectural design of the building.
Moreover, certain interior styles flourish precisely on the basis of country cottages, while adapting them to the conditions of a Russian apartment is not so easy.
Rural flavor: rustic, country, chalet
The dominance of natural materials and natural shades, simple and solid furniture, ceiling beams, rural household items, deliberate aging and negligence. Rustic style will turn the house into an oasis of comfort, hidden from the hustle and bustle of the big city, even if this city is located just a couple of stops from the cottage village. Rural flavor in the interior is represented by different directions.
The chalet gravitates towards raw stone as the main finishing material. Hunting trophies, animal skins, leather furniture are welcome.
Rustic style interior is the realm of rough wood and "finds from the forest" - decor based on saw cuts, snags and stones. Here there is a place for homespun textiles, compositions of wild flowers, massive chests, wicker boxes and forged elements.
A modern take on rustic style allows for bold contrasts as bright colors, modern décor and synthetic materials are infused into a rustic space.
Country-style interiors may include wallpaper with a floral or simple graphic print. This style accepts bright colors, respects carved furniture and handmade decor. A distinctive feature is the abundance of assorted textiles.
These styles will be the best choice for the interior design of a wooden house and combined stone and wood cottages.
Britain vs. France: Provence and English style
Another interior style gravitating toward rural chic is the charming Provence, born in the vastness of southern French villages. The Provence style interior is light pastel colors, the dominance of white, floral motifs and deliberately aged furniture.
Romantic Provence according to Mossebo designers has incorporated all these features.
English-style interiors also made our list, primarily because of the fireplace.
This element of the interior has the right place in country houses, complete with deep “eared” chairs, plaid blankets and a home library. Unlike light and romantic Provence, the English style in the interior gravitates towards dark wood and intimacy. An excellent choice for owners of houses in a classic style.
The interior of the cottage from the Mossebo project combines rustic style with British classics. The inspiration was a provincial English estate.
On the azure coast: Mediterranean style
The house may not be by the sea, but the "sea" can be inside. Mediterranean style will be the best solution for those who use a country house as a summer residence. If the architecture of the cottage matches, the atmosphere of the coast of Greece, Spain, Italy and any other country from the sunny Mediterranean region can settle in it.
Such houses are bright and serene. The materials are natural, the colors are natural and southern saturated.
