Top Affordable Design Trends in 2022

2022 Affordable Design Trends

February 2022

At GROWTH, we believe deeply in the American Dream of homeownership and that every family or individual should enjoy the financial benefits it provides.  For too long, too many people have been locked out of that dream.  We think we can do better.

An initiative of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, GROWTH renovates existing properties and builds new homes in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and/or for low- and moderate-income people.  We’re providing opportunities to own a home for people who never thought they had a shot at ownership or building wealth.  And to boot, our homes are built well and look great.  Not only are many of them affordable for LMI individuals and families, they’re a place our homeowners are proud to call home, featuring the latest design trends and decorative elements.  And all of them offer a builder or home warranty because we stand behind our product.

This blog explores what you can expect when it comes to the ‘look’ of a GROWTH home.  We’ll take you through what we see happening in design for 2022 along with some real-life examples of how we include those trends in our homes. Whether you already own a GROWTH home, are looking for that perfect new place, or are exploring ideas for how to improve your current abode, this blog is for you! (As a bonus, most of these trends can be duplicated on a dime!)

 Picture Perfect Paint (and Wallpaper)

Paint is one of the easiest, least expensive ways you can change the look of a room or home.  For thirty bucks and some elbow grease, you get a real makeover.  Since a GROWTH home, new or renovated, is already freshly painted, there’s really no work to do.  But if you want to add an extra pop of color to showcase your personal style or if you currently have a home that needs a facelift, here are our top choices in paint colors.

According to Nuha Elsenussi, our in-house design expert in Atlanta, warm neutrals top the list this year.  “Classic, timeless, and versatile they are like the capsule wardrobe for a home—a great foundation that you can layer onto,” she said.  We really like Sherwin Williams Creamy (SW7012), Benjamin Moore Ballet White (OC-130), and Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (SW7036).  Creamy is a rich off white with a touch of yellow in the base.  There’s just enough contrast for it to stand out against white trim.  Ballet White is that perfect blend of white, tan and gray with a bit of warmth.  “Accessible Beige is a classic light tan that leans a bit toward gray making it ultra-versatile.  In fact, we use this color in many of our own homes,” said Elsenussi.

Looking for a slightly richer tone?  Try Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray (SW 7043).  But it’s gray, you say.  True.  But it’s a gray that actually pulls a warm beige tone.  For trim, you can pair any of these colors with Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) or Pure White (SW 7008).

But what if I don’t like beige?  Glad you asked.  Neutral, natural, and botanical greens are showing up everywhere this season.  Linked to growth, health, wealth and the environment, greens are getting a lot of attention.  We’re loving Evergreen Fog (SW 9130), Sherwin Williams’ 2022 Color of the year.  A soft, neutral green, Evergreen Fog still has amazing depth.  Olive Sprig, PPG’s 2022 Color of the Year, is also a neutral, mid-tone, organic green with a hint of gray. Very sophisticated.  Both colors look great on walls and cabinets.  These can also be paired with the whites above for your trim accent.

What about wallpaper?   If you’re looking to add a punch of color or a splash of pattern and texture, consider trying wallpaper.  Wallpaper is a fairly inexpensive way to dress up your walls and add interest.  And new technology is pushing boundaries for a new and exciting array of styles.  For Natasha White, GROWTH’s in-house real estate agent, “I love a bold pattern in a powder room or an accent wall in a bedroom or office. It brings

something unexpected and fun to a home in a good way.”  Geometric patterns still rule in 2022 and we love an art deco style covering.  Wall murals have also emerged as one of the biggest stories for 2022 wallpaper trends.  Allow yourself to be transported into a Roman garden or an otherworldly tropical paradise.  Big, bold botanicals are also in demand this season.  With more people working from home, we see the outdoors coming indoors in a big way.

 Lighting to Love

Lighting is an integral component of our homes and a fairly affordable solution to changing the look of a room—especially if you’re handy!  An attractive fixture with the right bulbs creates ambiance and adds interest to a room.  Our favorite looks include:

• Linear and Sputnik Styles: Ditch the apartment grade nickel flushmount fixture.  Try a reimagined sputnik chandelier in the dining room in a matte black or satin brass for a clean, statement look.  Get wild and pair it with a traditional ceiling medallion for an eclectic spin that will surely make an impression.   This style has become much more affordable in recent years with fixtures priced under $100 from places Amazon and Wayfair.
• Organic, rattan, wood, and natural textures are a trend borrowed from nature and are so on point

  

  for 2022. From entry ways to bedrooms to kitchens, raw and natural materials can really rejuvenate a room.  We love an oversized pair of rattan or wicker pendant lights over an island or a bold basket chandelier in a foyer.  Love to DIY?  Try upcycling or making your own woven shade from wicker, rope, or beads.

• Bold, bespoke statement pieces: From table lamps to chandeliers, choose a piece that looks great even when it’s off!  Table lamps that double as sculptures = wow!
• Vintage Finds and Throwback Pieces: Milk glass, metal shades, geometric shapes, Nordic simplicity. Vintage pieces can really add pizzazz and can often help bridge multiple styles!

Fixture Fix

Whether it’s a full kitchen or bath makeover or just a small update to enhance what you already have, fixtures and hardware are the finishing touches.  Think of hardware and fixtures as the accessories for an amazing outfit.  You wouldn’t skip the embellishments, right?  And they are also an affordable option for upgrading your home’s look.

In 2022, Elsenussi and White both still see black as a neutral color and a hot trend.  Matte or satin, black fixtures can bridge styles from farmhouse modern to industrial to contemporary.  We also see brass—polished or satin—sticking around.  Brass adds warmth and sophistication and provides great contrast on just about every cabinet paint color from white to black to gray, blue, and green.  We recommend exercising caution when using it with stained wood colors.  It’s best with a deep, rich brown. Copper and rose gold are also emerging as a new trend and look great with painted cabinets especially navy, white, light gray, and charcoal.

As for style, elongated, sleek pulls remain on point.  Whether it’s a rounded bar or a square, you can’t go wrong.  Bars and pulls are also now coming in a variety of textures.  We really love the look of a knurled accent or a geometric element to add a little flavor.

Your kitchen sink and bathroom vanities are often focal points in the room so let’s make them stand out, too!  Like hardware, faucets and fixtures now come in a wide variety of colors and styles.  Black and brass still top this year’s trends, but we’re seeing rose gold emerge as a newcomer and high polish chrome and nickel are making a comeback.  Sleek, modern silhouettes lead the pack and dramatic gooseneck faucets in kitchens remain in demand.  And to boot, many of the trendy faucets can be purchased for less than $150!

Affordable homes don’t have to look ‘affordable.’  At GROWTH, we work extra hard to make sure our homes include features for today’s lifestyles and tastes.  We want our homeowners to be proud to call their new house a home.  The trend we’d like to see more of?  More affordable homes for more people.  That never goes out of style!