Although we all probably hoped to “return to normal” last year, new variants of COVID-19 have made that problematic. Some of us were able to leave our home offices, but others of us are still spending most of our time at home.
2021 also saw the start of nationwide and global shipping delays and product shortages for every market, including construction products. The year also witnessed the rise of new technologies and sustainable practices.
These factors have influenced 2022 trends in new home construction in many exciting ways. Let’s look at how home builders and designers are building new homes in 2022.
Get in touch with our team if you’re ready to build your new home or renovate your current space. At Schar Construction, we have been serving Eugene and surrounding communities since 1975. We can handle your renovation or new construction: from collecting building permits to handing off the keys.
New Home Exterior Trends
As we move into the new year, we notice some returning trends and some new ones regarding exterior construction. You may have already seen some of these around your community.
Eco-Friendly and Durable
Home builders and homeowners alike continue to favor building materials and practices that are eco-friendly and provide a long-lasting result.
Metal roofing, for example, has increased in popularity due to its eco-friendliness and durability. A metal roof can now be just as attractive as a shingled roof and can last up to 70 years.
Other eco-friendly and durable exterior trends include:
- Brick and stone
- Repurposed wood and other materials
- Turf and other low-maintenance landscaping
Showing Off Those Curves
Builders and designers have nicknamed the standard architecture of recent years “straight-line syndrome,” and 2022 brings the cure: curves. New construction homes will honor the curvy line this year with building elements that say goodbye to sharp corners and hello to soft bends:
- Arched doors, windows, and openings
- Curved decks and porch ceilings
- Curvy driveways and walkways
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
With homeowners spending much of their time at home these days, homes built in 2022 will likely feature covered outdoor spaces. Family game night is no longer a strict kitchen table event.
The inclusion of a shade structure creates comfortable areas to enjoy being outside. Some examples of shade structures and other trendy outdoor features include:
- Attached pergola, pavilion, or awning
- Free-standing pergola or gazebo
- Covered outdoor kitchen
- Covered grill
- Covered fire pit
- Outdoor fireplaces
Whether you’re interested in a country-style exterior or desire a more modern building, keep these exterior construction trends in mind this year.
New Home Interior Trends
There are various new interior trends to look out for and embrace in 2022, whether you’re looking at single-family houses or new housing units in a condo complex. Many of these trends complement any house style from country to modern.
No Mess, No Clutter
In 2022, it’s as important as ever to look forward to coming home, and homeowners are still accomplishing this through minimalistic design. Although it is not a new trend, minimalism appeals to home buyers and owners because it provides focus and clarity for daily life.
Fewer elements create a more purposeful space, and less clutter makes it easier to work efficiently without that feeling of being closed-in. Design features of minimalism include:
- Simple design
- Clean lines
- Open space
- Interest through texture and color
Embracing Multifunctionality
While some homeowners and designers will continue to wave the minimalism flag in 2022, an opposite trend will embrace multifunctional design. Instead of single-purpose spaces, multifunctionality encourages rooms with more than one purpose.
Here are some multifunctional 2022 trend examples:
- Gym + office
- Office + art studio
- Bedroom + filming set or audio-recording studio
Working From Home
2020 saw the beginning of a significant rise in the number of people working from home, and this number will only grow here in 2022. The home office has become as essential to a home as is the kitchen or bathroom.
An excellent remote working environment is visually professional and encourages productivity. These spaces will tend towards specific trends in 2022:
- Equal parts function and form
- Separate from shared family spaces
- Office in secondary living room
- Technology: projectors, smart boards, and more
Inviting Nature Indoors
With people staying at home more comes a trend toward biophilic design. Remote workers and stay-at-home parents alike are inviting natural beauty into their interiors by including natural design elements, such as:
- Lots of natural light
- Plenty of plants
- Organic materials instead of industrial materials
Out With the Cold, In With the Warm
Paint color trends in 2022 will shift from cool-tone colors to warmer tones. The stark whites and bright blues of the past are becoming outdated. Today’s homeowners and designers lean toward warm colors, like beige and natural greens: the colors of the countryside and forest.
Stay trendy with your 2022 paint colors by looking for:
- Colors found in nature (mustard, terra-cotta, “greige,” etc.)
- Dim jewel tones (subdued emerald, amethyst, etc.)
and avoiding:
- Overly bright colors
- Overly bold colors
Healthy and Safe at Home
Unsurprisingly, 2022 will continue to mark the addition of healthy products in our house builds and remodels. You can already find several health-conscious products out there, and we expect that list to grow throughout the year. Healthy products include:
- Bacteria-blocking floor tiles
- Whole-house air purifiers
- Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes
Safety against natural disasters and other events outside of a homeowner’s control is a concern for the modern builder. Some safety trends that are growing more popular include:
- Natural disaster-resistant designs
- Back-up generators
- Water catchment systems
Considering bringing these 2022 trends to your home with a renovation or a custom house build? The first step is finding a good team of builders in your area.
From Building Permits to Project Completion
Our team at Schar Construction Company has proudly served Eugene, OR, and surrounding communities for more than four decades. We can make your dreams a reality, whether we’re taking you through the entire process of new home construction, from procuring building permits to completing the build, or we’re just renovating an old bathroom. Get started today by calling us at (541) 229-0773.
