There’s plenty to be excited about as a new year approaches. And, as you can imagine, we’re focused on home improvements. We think they’re the best kind of New Year’s resolutions because they look great, are often practical, and can even increase your home’s resale value.
Now, there are plenty of ways to improve your home, but to help you get started, we’ve compiled the four hottest home trends for 2022. This is a varied list, and it includes everything from multiple colors (natural is very hot right now) to alternate dwelling units to sliding glass doors to larger windows.
We hope these trends will help inspire you to make some exciting changes in your home that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Let’s get started.
1. Alternative Dwelling Units for Added Space
Have you heard the term “alternative dwelling unit” (ADU) before? ADU’s are all the rage right now for a number of reasons, principally because many cities across the country view them as a way to address America’s urban housing crunch.
Basically, they’re small homes that are typically erected in your backyard. And, they are permanent structures, so they don’t have wheels like a tiny home may have.
In some cases, ADU’s are used as a mother-in-law suite or guest house. But they have also become a home trend because many people have installed ADU’s as a home office. (Just think about how short your commute would be!)
If you’re interested in placing an ADU on your property, do your research to be sure your neighborhood is zoned for them. Plus, if you want the space to double as a guest house, don’t forget about water, sewage, and electric hook ups. That will certainly change the price.
2. Natural Colors Create a Calm Space
Let’s talk about the use of natural colors to create a calm space. And by natural, we mean basic, neutral colors, like white, beige, tan, black, bronze, etc. These colors have recently become a hot home trend because people are spending more and more time at home and they want the soothing sensation that a neutral color palette provides.
These natural colors can make an appearance in your home in all kinds of ways: in the upholstery, curtains, coffee tables and end tables, etc. Some of these neutral colors, particularly black and bronze, have even become increasingly common in windows. Thanks to recent innovations that keep the window frames from degrading due to high temperatures, black and bronze have become a growing trend in the fenestration industry.
3. Become One with Nature
Decorating your home with nature in mind is a very big design trend. Many people are accomplishing this by inundating their home with plants, but, that’s not the only way to become one with nature.
One way to enjoy indoor/outdoor living is to put a sliding glass door in your house and the type you choose really depends on your lifestyle. Many manufacturers today offer extremely large sliding glass doors, sometimes called multi-slide doors or “moving glass walls.” These doors can be a wonderful way to bring nature into your space, since they offer tremendous views to the outside world.
If a typical sliding glass door is more appealing, you’ll be happy to know that standard sizes, approximately 6.5 feet high by 6 feet wide, can certainly capture your view of nature. And, if you’re looking for more natural light and ventilation, sidelites can help expand the opening even more.
4. Open up to Large Windows
Well, we’ve talked about sliding glass doors, so it’s time to think about your windows. Large windows are the final home trend we want to talk about. Why are they so popular? It’s similar to the reasons listed above for sliding glass doors: natural light and better views.
The advantages of windows have become increasingly clear in recent years as studies have found that an abundance of natural light in a home helps occupants’ moods and mental health. And that doesn’t account for the fact that sunlight may be able to help you save on your energy bills too.
Another advantage of larger windows is that they give you a greater visual field. In fact, many manufacturers today produce windows with narrow profiles, allowing even more surface area for the glass. This is ideal for capturing beautiful views.
