With everyone spending more time in doors, due to the pandemic. With the rise of hybrid working models and with more of us spending more time at home. This is a great time to assess your home space, to make it feel more comfortable and to make your home look a little more aesthetically pleasing. Home improvement seem to have been on everyone’s mind, and South Africans have certainly latched on to the trend. At the start of 2021, monthly requests on local home-service marketplace Kandua.com had increased by 750%, and home renovation requests had more than doubled.
Here are a few trends to look out for in the new year
Natural living and natural materials
Like with fashion, a house can become dated, especially when it comes to building materials and installations. And with the world focusing more on sustainability and environmentally friendly construction, 2022 will see more people explore themes of longevity and responsibility. Look for materials like natural woods, stonework, and bamboo to create a natural ambience while still looking modern and adding warmth. According to Studio RODA founder Rodrigo Albir, a responsible approach to design will let living spaces “live longer”.
Marble is your friend
Marble is naturally gorgeous and fits in with numerous surroundings. Use of the material dates back thousands of years to early Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, which proves that classic décor will always be on trend. Next year, marble usage will be bold, heavy, and rugged, with large slabs added to interiors in a big way. It makes for a beautiful flooring option in gathering areas, and gives surfaces a texture that’s smooth and soft to the touch, all the while giving the space an added sense of grandeur.
Innovative art
As if home décor wasn’t already a great way to express yourself, placing and hanging pieces of art around the house is a smart, low-effort way to show off your style. Art doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant – showing off your child’s school drawings or a historical masterpiece adds flair to any space and truly makes it your own.
Becoming a plant parent
Who needs children or pets when you can be a plant parent? A trend that has been on the uptick for a while has people embracing plant life. In fact, earlier this year, a Gumtree poll on Twitter showed over 60% of respondents considered themselves a plant parent. Plants in the house are becoming more popular, whether they are sitting in pots on the floor or hanging from the ceiling. Popular house plants such as philodendrons, succulents, and polka dot plants make for attractive additions that are also easy to look after and maintain.
Let the natural light in
With many of us going out less, it’s even more important to get your daily dose of sunlight and ensure your living areas are well lit (especially with all the house plants you’ll have about the place!). Not only are there health benefits, but maximising natural lighting in the home can result in improved heat generation during the winter months and less dependency on artificial lighting, which will lower your electricity usage. Building solutions such as skylights and glass doors can help make this possible, but so can simple fixes like removing window coverings and moving furniture away from light sources.
There are so many ways to upgrade your home in the new year, and with the holidays coming up, there’s no better time to think about which changes you’d like to make. Start with these design trends, and then see what else inspires you.
