The biggest Scandinavian interior trends to know for 2022

We may not think of interior design as trend driven in way we would with fashion, but interior design trends are actually closely linked to fashion (albeit at a slower pace) and these trends are essential to shaping how we decorate our homes.

Given that we’ve been spending more time than usual at home lately, thanks to nearly two years of a global pandemic, feeling good about the items in our homes has become more important than ever.

Copenhagen-based Nina Bruun, a product designer and consultant for colours, trends and materials, spoke with us about what to keep in mind for the new year. She notes that, overall, COVID, climate change and digitalisation are the main factors in Scandinavian design trends for the coming year.

Whatever your personal style, here are the Scandinavian design trends to know for 2022:

“I’m ready to see brown become a bigger part of the color scheme in both interior and design,” Bruun notes. “Brown can be very versatile, goes well with many colors, and looks luxurious.”

Look out for brown as a softer and more luxe alternative to black in interior design palettes as well as materials such as leather.

The use of recycled materials in interior products and building has been growing over the years, but Bruun expects to see that on a much larger scale in 2022, particularly from larger brands that could potentially have an enormous impact on the industry overall.

“We’ve been seeing elements of this already, and unfortunately a great deal of ‘green-washing.’ I’m looking forward to seeing which large companies taking the lead, take chances, and get some momentum on producing items made from recycled materials,” says Bruun.

In addition, innovative sustainable materials in logistical elements such as packaging will be even more visible. Bruun highlights materials such as mycelium, coffee grounds, and seaweed.

Our lives have moved further and further into the digital realm over the last 20 years, but there’s been an acceleration in the past few years.

“Covid has made us even more digitally-dependent. So many of us spend the majority of the day in front of a screen: working, having meetings, going to school, and so on. Then, when we’re done with work, we switch screens and watch TV, game, or spend time on social media,” says Bruun. Is is therefore likely that our homes will become more digitally integrated, and interior design trends will adjust to reflect that.

Where we put our phones to charge, where screens are positioned, smart-home features, and multi-purpose items that alternate between home and work needs: look out for these things.

The supply chain of design items, particularly furniture, has been tenuous for a while thanks to foam and lumber shortages; more recently, Covid really pushed it over the edge. As a result, more and more Scandinavian brands are looking to local, or at least regional, sourcing and production.

Bruun explains, “I believe that these new challenges will force companies to seek production more locally and focus on better quality. This will result in higher prices and will forces us to think more about what we buy, as well as hopefully keep it in our lives for longer.

As for the trends she won’t be sad to see come to an end, Bruun says, “The trend of mass-produced products being made to look like they are handmade, in order for people to feel like they are getting something unique at a bargain. it won’t be a final goodbye in 2022, but I think there will be more focus on the real handcrafted products from artists and designers.”

Keeping in line with an increase in local production, an increase in handcrafted items makes sense as people continue to invest in items that feel special, are high-quality, and can be sourced easily close to home.