Best in American Living Awards Showcase Top Design Trends for 2022
Brandon Grosse
Brandon is our managing real estate broker with experience since 2001 in professional sales...
Brandon is our managing real estate broker with experience since 2001 in professional sales...
More than 140 single-family, multifamily, interior design, remodeling and community projects were honored this month at the 2021 Best in American Livingâą Awards (BALA) ceremony at the 2022 International Buildersâ Show, hosted by NAHB in Orlando, FL.
Judges awarded eight Best in Region and seven Of the Year homes and projects. These front-runners represent the nationâs best in home and community design, interior design and remodeling.
BALA winners showcase top design trends that home buyers can expect to see in homes and communities over the next several years.
âWeâre seeing a continuation of recent trends, especially as they relate to outdoor spaces,â noted Allison Paul, chair of the 2021 judging panel and principal at Lessard Design. âThe pandemic has definitely made people rethink how they live in their homes, and thatâs reflected in the creative niches, attention to detail and quality, and general warmth present in this yearâs BALA-winning designs.â
These popular trends include:
Beamed and/or stained ceilings
Different detailing overhead creates a wow factor for both low and high ceilings alike, while stains and tonal materials provide a more cohesive room palette. This trend is especially popular in kitchens.
Creative outdoor spaces
Post-pandemic design continues to utilize the outdoors to develop spaces for relaxing, entertaining, home office or just taking in the views. Multilevel terraces, sunken living rooms with fire pits and indoor courtyards are just a few examples of these designs. Rooftop spaces in particular are on the rise, providing multifamily projects and townhomes alike with a âyard in the sky.â
Improved indoor/outdoor connections
Emphasis on health and wellness has led to an increased focus on creating intentional, seamless transitions from indoors to outdoors. Material choices can play a large role by visually connecting adjoining spaces, but even details as subtle as skylights in the kitchen or glass walls to take advantage of the surrounding views can usher in these natural connections. Landscape designs are also improving to seamlessly blend the home with the surrounding area.
Better designs for affordable housing
Affordable developments are losing the utilitarian designs often associated with them in favor of better detailing to help create rich, story-driven designs that complement the existing landscape and community.
Resort-like amenities
More time spent at home means greater attention paid to features that can enhance it, whether itâs an outdoor lounge or a game room. Pets are very important, with designs increasingly incorporating areas such as dog spas, pet pads or even dedicated dog runs. đ¶
More durable materials
As indoor and outdoor spaces continue to blend, materials that operate equally in both conditions are key to creating a smooth transition. This includes not only the doors or track systems that bridge the gap, but also selections such as ceiling treatments or flooring, where materials such as brick or stone can provide a wow factor both inside and out.
Size doesnât matter
Spaces should get as much mileage out of their designs as possible, whether itâs a remodeled great room/dining room/kitchen that improves functionality or a glass-encased room with doors that can provide privacy when needed while remaining connected to the rest of the home.
Enhanced focus on function
Homes have had to work harder for their residents in recent years, and designs are adapting to incorporate more functional and multifunctional spaces to use. Examples include wine storage, prep kitchens, mudrooms and dedicated gym or workout areas.
More information about this yearâs winners and trends can be found here.
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