Dependence on homes has been greater than ever over the last couple of years. Due to the pandemic, houses have transformed into workspaces and classrooms, as well as continuing to be where people enjoy their down time. This new way of living has meant we spend more time indoors than ever before.

Homeowners and designers are already beginning to look ahead to what will be trending in the coming year, as we optimize our living spaces for maximum comfort. Here are five reasons why nature will have a big influence.

Nature Relieves Stress

Nature is one remedy that many have been missing while spending so much time at home. Whatever reason there is for feeling some level of stress, the recent inability to get out and enjoy the outdoors will no doubt have had an effect on many of us. As nature can relieve stress, it’s no wonder it is expected to play a big role in design choices moving forward. For remote workers, homes are now also where they are burdened with the stresses of the office. One way to help combat this is by incorporating calming colors and nature inspired themes throughout the home.

Green Is a Versatile Color

Most of the major paint brands chose a type of green as their ‘2022 Color of the Year.’ In Fixr.com’s report, experts explain why green will be popular among homeowners to incorporate into their current designs. Sherwin Williams’ choice of color of the year, Evergreen Fog, is a green with hints of gray. Kerrie Kelly, from Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, says, “Evergreen Fog's versatility makes the shade easy to incorporate into a variety of spaces throughout the home without changing all of the elements of your decor.” Joan Kaufman, from Interior Planning & Design, Inc., comments on Benjamin Moore’s color option, October Mist, saying that it, “... is soft and fresh, and works well with analogous colors and as complementary colors”.

A Desire to Reconnect With Nature

Blending the line between indoors and outdoors is not a new concept in home design. Yet it may take on a renewed importance for many as they seek to get back to nature. One way to achieve this is by transforming the theme of some rooms. Earthy tones of color will add the sense of calm and serenity that people have missed in recent times. Kevin O’Gara, founder of Kevin Francis Design, believes that, “...the outdoors has become an important escape, and I think a lot of people have realized how much they take it for granted after being in their homes more due to the pandemic.” This refreshed appreciation for nature will impact design trends as we head into 2022.

Cognitive Benefits

Nature has many health benefits. This topic would not usually carry as much weight in terms of home decor trends, but there is a definite yearning for these influences in home design since the pandemic. Only now are we beginning to truly look beyond the crisis, with healthy living at the forefront of many areas of our lives. Studies have shown the multiple benefits of things such as memory and attention control. While it may be impossible to fully reap the rewards of nature from inside our own home, it can go some way in explaining the upcoming dominance of the trend.

People Are Prepared to Venture Away From Gray

In what could arguably be a combination of all of the above reasons; people are going to be more willing to move away from the color gray. As Patti Johnson, from Patti Johnson Interiors, says, “...many, many people are just feeling comfortable to step outside the ‘gray zone’.” Gray is still a popular color among homeowners. But as a new year approaches, people may want to refresh their homes and paint their interiors. And as previously stated, green shades are easy to incorporate into homes that already have a gray theme. Yet, homeowners should seek advice before choosing natural colors, such as green. As well as differences in characteristics of different paint types, there can also be aesthetic differences too. Kevin O’Gara explains, “When choosing green paint, the undertones are very important because green is a color that can morph very quickly with different types of light. Greens with cooler undertones like Behr's Breezeway will look pale blue in natural light, and green in indoor lighting.”