The second annual Next in Design Report from CB2 looks at how challenges from 2021 impacted home purchases and shaped interior design trends, plus the interior design inspirations for 2022 and beyond.

Ryan Turf, president of CB2, said the company’s latest report aims to “inspire your design journey and help embrace your creative individuality along the way.”

With another unpredictable year ahead, here is a look at what the experts predict for 2022:

Luxury for all: The idea that luxury is exclusive is outdated. Unapproachable attitudes when it comes to luxury are being replaced by democratization of design. Rather than just being reserved for auction houses, good design is increasingly accessible for all, including through CB2’s highly curated assortment which includes reissued classics from icons like Clara Porset and Paul McCobb that inspire those “where did you get that?” moments at home.

Home as therapy: Home is a place that should serve as an escape and support one’s overall well-being. Design this year will be defined by blending the beautiful with the functional, cultivating an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, and embracing natural elements. Shades of green from sage to emerald inspire calm and are anticipated in not just upholstery and textiles, but more unexpected applications like marble. Clients are also looking to incorporate feel-good materials associated with healing properties, such as selenite or alabaster.

Return of decadence: People are craving reveries, indulging in glamour, and bringing a sense of opulence to their small group gatherings. There’s an element of maximalism at play, chasing joy through design by leaning into extravagant adornments and abstract shapes. Designers note that with the return of home entertaining, “people are willing to spend on seating again.”

Fewer, better: 2022 brings the quality of design into sharper focus, from materials to craftsmanship to sustainability and beyond. Thirty-one percent of interior designers said they plan to incorporate more sustainable materials into their 2022 projects by integrating elements like FSC-certified woods, organic cotton, and other earth-friendly materials. Vintage and vintage-inspired pieces will continue to be popular, and while mid-century modern is still going strong, this year designers predict inspiration will lean further into French and Italian designers from this era.

The report also gives insight into what was motivating homeowners’ interior decisions. Key findings include:

Many looked to create an escape in their own backyard - The outdoor category saw a nearly 50% increase in 2021 with products like CB2’s Sunset Teak Outdoor Lounge Chair a fan-favorite for the year.

Boucle, concrete and black were hot - Customers searched for these colors and textiles the most throughout the year, making it no surprise that CB2’s Gwyneth Boucle Chair was a bestseller.

42% of the labor force is now working from home - And while 10% of Americans sought more space by moving to less populated areas, many were still seeking solutions to maximize the space they had, with 34% of designers reporting an increase in clients seeking multi-functional spaces.

To explore the full report, visit cb2.com/home-design-trends.