6 Big Trends at Europe’s Fall 2022 Design Fairs
Natural, sustainable and comfortable were among the themes for home furnishings showcased this season
With consumers and design professionals eager to check out new products and trends, and brands keen to showcase their offerings, there has been a push to go back to in-person design fairs for a few seasons now. However, this fall felt like the first true return to the regular circuit in Europe, with most fairs held at their usual times, and some, such as Cersaie (Bologna, Italy; Sept. 26-30, 2022) and Hábitat Valencia (Valencia, Spain; Sept. 20-23), even reporting visitor numbers approaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
So where is the reawakening design world heading? We saw quite a bit of continuity with previous seasons, as production and consumption patterns respond to global changes and challenges. Themes such as natural palettes, biophilia, highly modular pieces, sustainable approaches, and customizable and comforting decor continued to be explored in new ways this season.
So where is the reawakening design world heading? We saw quite a bit of continuity with previous seasons, as production and consumption patterns respond to global changes and challenges. Themes such as natural palettes, biophilia, highly modular pieces, sustainable approaches, and customizable and comforting decor continued to be explored in new ways this season.
Pigmenti collection by Ferruccio Laviani for Lea Ceramiche, in 12 colors
We also saw color-blocking with bolder versions of the same palettes.
Color Trends for 2023 at Maison & Objet
We also saw color-blocking with bolder versions of the same palettes.
Color Trends for 2023 at Maison & Objet
Color Power exhibit by Elizabeth Leriche at Maison & Objet 2022
Also on display were a lot of more saturated tones, particularly in glossy versions. At Maison et Objet (Paris; Sept. 8-12), this took the form of a more colorful version of 1970s influence than the orange-brown palettes we’ve borrowed in recent years.
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Also on display were a lot of more saturated tones, particularly in glossy versions. At Maison et Objet (Paris; Sept. 8-12), this took the form of a more colorful version of 1970s influence than the orange-brown palettes we’ve borrowed in recent years.
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Duka’s stila 2000 series shower
Another through-line was calming neutrals, particularly beiges, that offer a retreat from stresses outside the home.
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Another through-line was calming neutrals, particularly beiges, that offer a retreat from stresses outside the home.
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… and stone are still popular. Stone- and wood-look tile continued to be a big presence at Cersaie this year, while stone found new uses at Maison et Objet and Decorex (London; Oct. 9-12), as in United Alabaster’s Berlin light fixtures made of alabaster (pictured).
8 Design Trends at London’s Decorex 2022
8 Design Trends at London’s Decorex 2022
At the London Design Festival (London; Sept. 17-25), there was an active interest in biomimicry, as pieces such as the Cocoon light by HagenHinderdael (pictured) deliberately approximated organic forms.
Likewise, at Cersaie we saw that floral prints are still popular for wall finishes.
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Likewise, at Cersaie we saw that floral prints are still popular for wall finishes.
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Decorative birds from Novoform
There was even a mini-revival of bird figurines at Maison & Objet.
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There was even a mini-revival of bird figurines at Maison & Objet.
10 Decor Trends From Maison & Objet 2022
Dripart from Ceramica Sant’Agostino, seen at Cersaie
3. The Beauty of Metal and Glass
However, distinctly industrial materials also appeared everywhere this year. Metal-look tiles were a big hit at Cersaie.
3. The Beauty of Metal and Glass
However, distinctly industrial materials also appeared everywhere this year. Metal-look tiles were a big hit at Cersaie.
Rising Talents, Sanne Terweij, Aethion
And Sanne Terweij’s metal wall hangings were honored at the Rising Talent Awards at Maison & Objet.
Highlights From Maison & Objet 2022
And Sanne Terweij’s metal wall hangings were honored at the Rising Talent Awards at Maison & Objet.
Highlights From Maison & Objet 2022
Asti chandelier by Pure White Lines
… to unique and contemporary twists on the glass chandelier at Decorex.
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… to unique and contemporary twists on the glass chandelier at Decorex.
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Icon shower cabin from the Ibra Showers line from Arbi Arredobagno with Grigio Europa glass
Trend forecaster Elizabeth Leriche, who co-curates the annual What’s New exhibit at Maison & Objet, identified tables with metal legs and colored glass tops as a particular trend.
Smoked glass and black-metal framing were likewise favored at Cersaie.
Trend forecaster Elizabeth Leriche, who co-curates the annual What’s New exhibit at Maison & Objet, identified tables with metal legs and colored glass tops as a particular trend.
Smoked glass and black-metal framing were likewise favored at Cersaie.
Recyclable radiators from Maarmo, made out of marble powder left over from production. The company’s radiators are produced at low temperatures and painted with water-based paints.
4. Sustainability
Sustainability is more and more a focus at fairs every year. And while greenwashing is always a concern, it is refreshing to observe such a variety of approaches, with sustainability turning into not so much a trend as a movement in design.
Innovations respond to crisis. Skyrocketing energy prices and supply chain issues making raw materials hard to get drove a lot of innovation. This was visible nowhere more so than in wall and floor finishes, as porcelain stoneware requires an energy-intensive, ultra-hot firing process. Thus at Cersaie we saw lightweight tiles or materials that require only one firing instead of two.
The Changing Face of Tile at Italy’s Cersaie 2022 Trade Fair
4. Sustainability
Sustainability is more and more a focus at fairs every year. And while greenwashing is always a concern, it is refreshing to observe such a variety of approaches, with sustainability turning into not so much a trend as a movement in design.
Innovations respond to crisis. Skyrocketing energy prices and supply chain issues making raw materials hard to get drove a lot of innovation. This was visible nowhere more so than in wall and floor finishes, as porcelain stoneware requires an energy-intensive, ultra-hot firing process. Thus at Cersaie we saw lightweight tiles or materials that require only one firing instead of two.
The Changing Face of Tile at Italy’s Cersaie 2022 Trade Fair
Recycled plastic Mahaut chair, Furniture For Good
Similarly, low-carbon concretes was a key theme at the Mondial du Bâtiment (World Buildings Fair, comprising the Batimat, Idéobain and Interclima trade shows; Versailles, France; Oct. 3-6). Several manufacturers are working on concretes that can be produced without the ultra-energy-intensive clinkering phase that accounts for a large proportion of concrete’s hefty carbon footprint.
Recycling, upcycling and urban mining. Recycling and upcycling were also top of mind this season. At Maison & Objet, we saw old favorites such as Zuiver’s Ocean chair — made of recycled ocean plastic — as well as a chair made from electrical sheathing by Furniture for Good, among other recycled products.
Similarly, low-carbon concretes was a key theme at the Mondial du Bâtiment (World Buildings Fair, comprising the Batimat, Idéobain and Interclima trade shows; Versailles, France; Oct. 3-6). Several manufacturers are working on concretes that can be produced without the ultra-energy-intensive clinkering phase that accounts for a large proportion of concrete’s hefty carbon footprint.
Recycling, upcycling and urban mining. Recycling and upcycling were also top of mind this season. At Maison & Objet, we saw old favorites such as Zuiver’s Ocean chair — made of recycled ocean plastic — as well as a chair made from electrical sheathing by Furniture for Good, among other recycled products.
Coral lamps by Blast Studio, which are 3D-printed out of recycled takeout coffee cups and cardboard packaging
At the London Design Festival, we spotted lamps made out of takeout cups and sculptures created from waste hair from salons.
The Victoria & Albert Museum’s London Design Festival installation R for Repair also offered a twist on the repair cafe, which invited visitors to bring broken things that would be creatively remade by designers.
8 Inspiring Ideas From the 2022 London Design Festival
At the London Design Festival, we spotted lamps made out of takeout cups and sculptures created from waste hair from salons.
The Victoria & Albert Museum’s London Design Festival installation R for Repair also offered a twist on the repair cafe, which invited visitors to bring broken things that would be creatively remade by designers.
8 Inspiring Ideas From the 2022 London Design Festival
Edge Free furniture line, Pearson Lloyd, manufactured by Modus
5. Modular and Customizable Decor
Of course, the way we use and live in our homes has also experienced a major shift since the pandemic. As a result, modular furniture has been trending for a few years and continued to be in focus this season.
5. Modular and Customizable Decor
Of course, the way we use and live in our homes has also experienced a major shift since the pandemic. As a result, modular furniture has been trending for a few years and continued to be in focus this season.
Groove paintable shower head by Odo Fioravanti for Alpi
There are lots of highly customizable products around, such as a wide range of door hardware at Decorex and customizable armchairs.
This year we also spotted fixtures that can be painted over to match the color of the surrounding wall exactly, such as the Groove paintable shower head by Odo Fioravanti for Alpi seen at Cersaie and Hamilton Litestat’s Paintables light switches at Decorex.
There are lots of highly customizable products around, such as a wide range of door hardware at Decorex and customizable armchairs.
This year we also spotted fixtures that can be painted over to match the color of the surrounding wall exactly, such as the Groove paintable shower head by Odo Fioravanti for Alpi seen at Cersaie and Hamilton Litestat’s Paintables light switches at Decorex.
Cask armchair by Norm architects for Expormim
6. Sumptuous and Tactile Materials and Comfy Furniture
This kind of customization also ties into another broad direction in interiors at the moment — namely, a movement toward tailored, sumptuous and comfortable decor that makes us feel good at home.
At both Maison & Objet and Hábitat Valencia we saw sofas shedding rigid geometries in favor of coziness and broad seats, while armchairs got deeper, wider and more suited to curling up with a book. Cozy and comforting boucle is having a moment as an upholstery material too.
4 Trends From Spain’s Hábitat Valencia 2022 Design Fair
6. Sumptuous and Tactile Materials and Comfy Furniture
This kind of customization also ties into another broad direction in interiors at the moment — namely, a movement toward tailored, sumptuous and comfortable decor that makes us feel good at home.
At both Maison & Objet and Hábitat Valencia we saw sofas shedding rigid geometries in favor of coziness and broad seats, while armchairs got deeper, wider and more suited to curling up with a book. Cozy and comforting boucle is having a moment as an upholstery material too.
4 Trends From Spain’s Hábitat Valencia 2022 Design Fair
Bosc armchair from Made Studio for Gandiablasco
We also saw collections meant to be used in a variety of spaces within the home. Hábitat Valencia highlighted outdoor furniture made of more elevated materials that could fit just as well indoors. At Cersaie, brands showcased collections that can be used in bathrooms and utility rooms as well as in more lived-in areas of the home.
We also saw collections meant to be used in a variety of spaces within the home. Hábitat Valencia highlighted outdoor furniture made of more elevated materials that could fit just as well indoors. At Cersaie, brands showcased collections that can be used in bathrooms and utility rooms as well as in more lived-in areas of the home.
Arenophile sand-infused glassware tiles, Studio Sahil
As with boucle, mentioned above, we also noticed ongoing interest in tactile, textured surfaces, seen in the context of tile at Cersaie and the London Design Festival, and across furniture more broadly at Hábitat Valencia. We also saw ribbed and fluted detailing on bathroom fixtures at Cersaie and kitchens at Hábitat Valencia.
“Nowadays, we’re so overwhelmed by images and stimuli that architecture and design play a vital role in how people feel when they’re at home or in other environments. Colors inspired by nature and tactile surfaces are things we desperately need,” Katrine Goldstein, managing director and partner at Norm Architects, told us at Cersaie.
Tell us: Which trends resonate with you? Share in the Comments.
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As with boucle, mentioned above, we also noticed ongoing interest in tactile, textured surfaces, seen in the context of tile at Cersaie and the London Design Festival, and across furniture more broadly at Hábitat Valencia. We also saw ribbed and fluted detailing on bathroom fixtures at Cersaie and kitchens at Hábitat Valencia.
“Nowadays, we’re so overwhelmed by images and stimuli that architecture and design play a vital role in how people feel when they’re at home or in other environments. Colors inspired by nature and tactile surfaces are things we desperately need,” Katrine Goldstein, managing director and partner at Norm Architects, told us at Cersaie.
Tell us: Which trends resonate with you? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more design stories
Read more industry show and fair recaps
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
1. Colors: Playful, Natural and Comforting
For the past few years, we’ve seen a broad spectrum of trending colors, and that continues to be true this season. Natural palettes remain favorites, with vernal pastels showing up even at these fall fairs.
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