7 key interior trends you need to know about this year

The Scandinavian interior scene has long been characterised by overarching simplicity, defined by soothing neutrals and sleek lines. But for 2022, the region’s minimalist approach is influenced by playful maximalism. Think personal, eclectic colour palettes, and shiny contrasting ready to make the statement.

All trends were on display in the vibrant trendsetter capital of Copenhagen for interior festival 3daysofdesign. Below, we’ve listed the core tendencies set to define the season.

Related: 7 things we saw at 3daysofdesign and just can't stop thinking about

Much like fashion, every season has its piece of the moment. For 2022, we’re saying bon retour to the rug. Whether full scale or small sized, the detail elevates our homes in no time, adding a soft fuzzy feel to our well-curated living space.

The vibe of the year is maximalist, with vibrant patterns and colours as showcased by several buzzy designers. Danish fashion designer Emilie Helmstedt has joined forces with Stockholm-based All Matters Studio, launching a playful piece morphing abstract shapes with a warm 70s palette, while Tableau offers flower market-inspired rugs with Nordic Knots.

One thing was clear at 3daysofdesign – the designers are infatuated with the maritime theme and holiday-infused escapism was on display through warm neutrals, wooden pieces, and shapes of the sea.

Modernist forerunners FRAMA opted for tranquility in their in-store exhibition À La Plage. Rooted in minimalism, the display was elevated thanks to naval stripes, orange contrasts coupled with a hint of metal. Plus, a watery sea theme led the way at interior brand &Drape with their wave-shaped curtains in timeless neutrals.

Gone are the days of strict beige, brown, and white home interiors, instead, Scandinavia is embracing subtle hints of colour. The palette is varied, ranging from soft pastels to bright blues and reds, elevating the minimalist setting in no time.

This season, glass virtuoso Helle Mardahl introduced Sweet illusion, inspired by a parallel world of magic, myths, and dreams. So now we’re officially ready to add just a dash of colour in every corner of our living room.

Seen at a number of several designers this season, the scented home is now central in our quest of creating a calming, and zen surrounding. While scented candles are a go-to favourite, decadent pieces worth having on display are dominating for 2022.

When it comes to home scents, interior design studio The Audo are leading the way, creating soothing fragrances with Brandt Collective. Meanwhile, All Matters Studio presented En doft, a project with perfume designer Emmanuel Martini incorporating Mediterranean scents into their hallmark interior vision. The uniting factor for both was exquisite packaging, perfectly blending into the minimalist space.

While we’ve seen sustainable furniture in the past, the upgraded take comes with an ambitious 360 perspective. Local materials, such as ash wood and oak, are now presented in entire settings, from full flooring to storage solutions.

Furniture and lighting brand Fritz Hansen showcased their own take together with Henning Larsen architects. The Fritz Hansen Pavilion is a completely sustainable space, characterised by a structure simple to dissemble and Nordic raw materials ready to be reused for future pieces.

Although Scandinavian interior pieces largely remain wooden, it is time to explore edgier options. Futuristic interiors are here and defined by aluminium finishes and industrial shapes, from small detailing to substantial furniture.

Georg Jensen presented Shape by Silver, a modernist collaboration with architectural designers Spacon & X. Rooted in Jensen’s notable history of silver design, the pair showed an innovative universe packed with mirrored walls and shimmering craft.

The spring edition of Stockholm Design Week teased a paradigm shift, with crossover creations appearing at a notable pace. Prolific designers from all over Scandinavia, many times the world, met through custom, standout interior pieces.

For 3daysofdesign, &tradition unveiled hybrid exhibition Studies of a Table. Here, five distinct tables were presented courtesy of different creators, all infusing their own niche, design, and choice of material. Los Angeles-based Luc Fuller is one, presenting the eclectic Tulip table, allowing solid plywood to bathe in vibrant, uplifting colours.