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2022 Design Trends – Autumn Edition 

In With the Old, In With the New 

Each season brings new colours, furniture design and aesthetics to the forefront. The chain of professionals, designers and experts who establish these design trends is endless! With hundreds of years of home style to consider, designers often find inspiration in unlikely places. 

We’ve all noticed a certain slowing down that happens when the temperatures fall and the number of hours in a night rise. It’s as if the rhythms of the world start nodding off for the big sleep that winter brings. 

As the foliage showcases a different palette, it is natural for us to follow nature’s example. Most of our autumn wardrobes embrace rich, warm colours. Yes, the weather is growing chillier, but that’s not the only reason that we leave the cooldrink and opt for a cuppa. Or why we forget that salads exist and start preferring hearty stews and soups. Or, why we get a little sadder and maybe even a little grumpier as the months get colder.  

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Why It’s So SAD 

Have you ever wondered why, exactly, we react so markedly to the changing of the seasons? It’s not just because of societal imperatives, says a neuroscientist at the University of Liege, Dr Gilles Vandewalle.  

Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D is defined as a type of mood fluctuation that’s related to changes in seasons. It includes feelings of listlessness, fatigue and a lower mood. 

In the study “Seasonality in human cognitive brain responses”, Dr Vandewalle and his team have found that “Mood and immunity are well known to change with seasons in humans and there are indications that several brain aspects could also be seasonal.” 

The brain activity measurements showed that certain brain functions, like attention and working memory, slowed down during autumn and winter. These same brain functions sped up again in spring and summer. 

This did not mean that the participants’ performance declined at all – just that the effort it took for their brains to perform at the same levels was higher. The result was that, regardless of seasonal cues, the brain needs to use more effort during autumn to recall memories. On the contrary, more brainpower was spent in paying attention during the summer months. This could mean that the brain adjusts its efficiency levels depending on the season.  

Colour me surprised

Furthermore, a different study showed how we perceive colour changes from the warmer months to the colder months. The same colours may seem more vibrant to our eyes during summer and might inspire a melancholy mood during winter. 

It’s interesting to realise that we have always adjusted our homes and the way we interact with our space according to fluctuations in perception! 

Colour psychology is not a new trend, but with what we have learnt, it certainly shows how we can incorporate its theories into our homes. 

WebMD believes that the electrical impulses that colour can generate by being perceived through our optical nerves can certainly influence our moods. 

With science in our corner, let’s dive into the  

Top 3 design trends for Autumn 2022 

Come to the Dark Side 

As the nights get longer and our colour sense asks for richer tones, consider introducing a dark space into your home. This design trend speaks of sophistication, elegance and embracing the richer things in life. As our families crowd the same house they avoided during the warmer months, a dark space is the answer. Create your own sanctuary of style and luxurious contentment by introducing dark greys, moody burgundies, or even matte blacks into your space. 

Where Old Meets New 

The trend of upcycling or thrifting your interior elements has resulted in a beautiful conglomeration of styles. One space might have Victorian chairs, 1940s art deco wall hangings and a mid-century television stand. The best part is, there is no limit to the elements you can combine! 

Apartment Therapy suggests the following mergers as a starting point: 

1980s and Bohemian 

This design trend focuses on the soft, natural finishes of the bohemian style mixed expertly with the sharp, modular 1980s furniture. Have fun finding the places where these two styles meet. 

What says 80’s more loudly than bright colours and sharp planes? The blend between soft, earthy bohemian surfaces and the fantastic contrast of 80’s pop works like a match made in heaven. 

Alternatively, choose the soft and muted colours of bohemia but present them in the geometric style that the 1980s are so well known for. 

Zen and Egyptian 

This design trend merges concentric lines, earth tones and natural materials. Embrace the blend by choosing muted colours and raw, unprocessed finishes like live-edged wood or unpainted earthenware pots. 

See how the natural linen, woven footstools and muted colours all marry in a calm, grounding pallet. This seems like the perfect space to find your inner goddess through meditation. 

Gothic and Bohemian Greenhouse 

Imagine a brooding, dark room but filled to the brim with plants and décor items that allude to a love for nature. This design trend takes dark romantic and cottage core and allows it to meet in a harmonious but edgy, sophisticated blend. 

Use darker jewel tones with gilded accents to contrast the earthiness of your plants. 

Make use of black statement pieces to elevate the natural aspects of the space while seamlessly blending gothic elements. 

Fall in! 

With so many ways to invite fall into your design space, nothing is standing in the way of finding your autumn – awesome.