Indoor Plants
The use of plants in interior spaces has become more and more popular, especially in the last couple of years. It’s a great way to bring in natural greenery to spaces and even add a pop of color, especially in those with entirely neutral palettes. As an aspiring plant parent, one should keep a few things in mind when planning on incorporating indoor plants. The first is to determine the kind of room you are designing and analyze the kind of natural lighting the space would provide your plant with. Not entirely relevant, but spaces with great natural light are also ones growing in popularity and trending more than ever which could be connected with the fact that people are gravitating toward places that feel light and airy and maybe even suitable for indoor plants…so maybe that was relevant!
Another returning trend for 2022 that also connects to plants is working-from-home spaces. Plants have become a way to liven up a room and even serve as the perfect backdrop for all of the endless zoom meetings. Whether they are layered in front of one another or dangling from the ceiling through macramé wall-hanging pieces, plants have made a big impact as they make a statement in our homes.
Just one of many reasons why indoor plants are perfect for any kind of home or commercial building, but there’s a few others that come with great purposes. For example, adding natural greenery in a room helps reduce stress and anxiety—ultimately helping you feel a sense of serenity and peace. Plants are able to improve the air quality of a room as they give off oxygen, and it’s quite possible that the air you breathe will feel cleaner too.
One of my favorite things is the fact that plants can simply add so much color and texture to a space that instantly boosts your mood and provides simple happiness, allowing you to feel more relaxed through the day. With so many benefits, the fascinating plant trend is most likely not going anywhere in the next few years (or hopefully ever)!
Sustainable Products
As society begins to implement sustainable practices into their everyday lives more and more each day, the need for environmentally friendly products is also rising. Interior designers not only have the ability to impact the way people see each space but also how they feel inside the building, which can be executed through the finishes and materials selected in each project. While it is a hot trend now and will continue to be in 2022, it won’t necessarily be considered a trend in a few years but instead a common lifestyle.
Sustainable design has shown the positive impacts green materials do in order to secure a better future. Interior designers can help reduce the environmental impact on natural resources by pushing forward design solutions that are safer for the planet. Energy efficiency is one of the largest contributors to climate change, which is why renewable or non-carbon energy is the way to go.
Another simple way to save energy is as simple as having high-quality windows that provide appropriate insulation and window treatments that regulate temperature inside a home or commercial building. In terms of materials, sourcing those that are quickly renewable and organic such as bamboo and wool are also ways to decrease our impact on the environment, as they use less resources and don’t take harmful materials to produce. Last but not least, limiting what we source as designers makes a significant impact on the overall environment. Getting really intentional with the aesthetic features and functional solutions we bring into each space and leaning toward high-quality products is a way to ultimately reduce waste as we can avoid having to replace things simply because they are dated or grew tired of it.