2022 New Home Design Trends

In 2022, it's all about peaceful, calming, and well-edited interiors that feel fresh and modern. With many people still spending more time indoors, and an overall emphasis on minimizing stress of any kind, interior designers are transforming homes into retreat-like havens that incorporate soothing color palettes, natural materials, and spaces that can be... well... whatever you need.

We asked our Design Specialist, Paige, her thoughts on this year's best new home design trends. Whether you are designing an entire home, or just want to refresh a few rooms, here are a few of her helpful suggestions:

Kitchens Design Trends

Feature Islands: We know how functional a large kitchen island can be, now let's make it more beautiful! "Feature islands" have a different cabinet color from the upper kitchen cabinets, creating a two-tone look. This style adds a layer of interest and a "wow factor" to any kitchen.

Statement-Making Stone Countertops: At once durable and beautiful, granite countertops may never go out of style. Two of our current favorites are Biscotti White and Blanco Tulum. They both have lots of movement in their veining, rich layers, and work well with most color palettes.

Color Trends

Neutrals and Natural Shades: To achieve a Zen-like feeling in your home, use natural, earthy paint colors like light gray, beige, white, and light browns for interior rooms. Our current favorites are Sherwin Williams’ City Loft SW 7631 for walls and Pure White SW 7005 for interior trim.

Light-Colored Floors: For an uber-modern aesthetic, we love light-colored floors. The luxury vinyl plank floors from Shaw Flooring are perfect in Polaris Lighthouse and Polaris Wild Dunes. They offer a fresh new design look for our customers and with all the durability of luxury vinyl flooring.

Design Trends

Black Accents: One of the freshest design trends of 2022 is black fixtures and hardware, often against a contrasting color like white. We incorporate black cabinet pulls and knob hardware with matching black framed bathroom mirrors in one of our curated packages for those who also love this trend.

Rich Textures: Rich and layered textures go a long way to create that lived-in, cozy feel that’s so appealing in a home. We've been using tinted wood-stained cabinets in our bathrooms to warm up those spaces. Our favorites are Marsh Cabinets in Stained Drift or Graphite.

(All of the design elements above will be available in our new Holly Ridge community in Greenville, SC. Contact us for details!)

Space Trends

Multifunctional Space: Like plastic straws, single-use rooms are out. Multifunctional spaces are in — ones that can transform and change along with your life. A bonus room might be both a private study and a home gym, or a loft may start out as a child's playroom then transform into a homework station. As an example, our Kensington E floor plan includes an office and a loft — either space is great to create the room you need.

Outdoor Living Space: Patios and decks are no longer an afterthought. More designers are transforming these spaces into complete outdoor living spaces. It's an easy way to enjoy more livable square footage in your home without actually adding any rooms. Bring in multiple seating arrangements, a cozy bistro table for coffee and breakfast, soft rugs for underfoot, and ambient lighting to make this one of the most used rooms in the home. Most of our homes include a back patio that flows right off the living or dining room, making the indoor/outdoor transition seamless.

From all of us at Cothran Homes, we hope your new year — and your new home — is happy, peaceful, and rejuvenating. Happy Designing!