We’re all familiar with the classic, grandmother-approved interior design rules that have prevailed over the last few decades: Create cohesion with a matching furniture set. Choose a design style, and go all-in on the look. There’s no such thing as too much carpet, ornate furniture, or loud wallpaper.
But considering the seismic changes in the design industry brought on by social media and the internet at large, we felt it necessary to give the traditional design playbook a refresh (ahem, an overhaul). Fortunately for us (and you), interior design feels far more unrestricted, creative, and interesting than ever before.
Ahead, Havenly designers share the new interior design “rules” fit for 2022 and beyond, from furniture selection to color palette and beyond:
1. Old Is New Again
While we love a trendy CB2 find, brand-new isn’t always better. In fact, we’d argue that the most interesting homes lean into vintage and antiques, from furniture and decor to the architecture itself. Even if your home is brimming with beautiful new buys, a well-placed vintage find will add a little personality and charm — patina, cracks, chips, and all.
2. Mix & Match Furniture
We’re officially giving a hard pass on furniture sets. Gone are the days of subscribing to one specific design style, picking up a matching coffee and side table set, and calling it a day. Today, it’s all about mixing and matching furniture from different eras, design philosophies, and retailers. Picture: a vintage coffee table paired with a contemporary, curved sofa and a mid-century modern chair. Embrace different styles that speak to you and combine them into one cohesive look.
3. Mix Everything Else, Too
As an extension of rule number two, we invite you to mix everything else, too. From wood tones and metals to artwork and patterns, including a varied mix creates eye-catching interiors that defy the status quo. Skip all-walnut furniture, all brass hardware, and all ornate artwork in favor of a unique mix. Yes, doing so successfully takes a bit of skill, but we know a few experts that can help (wink, wink).
4. Embrace Intentional Asymmetry
In the last five years or so, we’ve noticed a flair for the thoughtfully off-kilter, and we’re here for the borderline ironic trend. When done well, intentional asymmetry can feel unexpected in the best possible way — like a small art print hung over the right side of a headboard. So, go ahead and embrace mis-matched nightstands, table lamps, or an off-kilter mantel display. While you don’t want to sacrifice balance entirely, there’s a way to make asymmetry feel intentional.
5. Lean Into Color
The light, bright, and airy aesthetic that had an ironclad grip on the design world in the 2010s is starting to feel a bit stale. In our post-pandemic society, interiors all but demand warmth, comfort, and personality. Don’t get us wrong — white paint and neutrals will never go out of style. But color, from soft earth tones to electric hues, is enjoying a welcome, inevitable resurgence.
6. Go Moody in Small Spaces
Remember when “light colors make spaces look bigger” was interior design gospel? Yeah, scratch that. Now, it’s all about leaning into the mood with even deeper colors like navy, charcoal, evergreen, and pure black. Dark hues can make small spaces with very little natural light feel intimate, natural, and intentional. Embrace the look in basements, bathrooms, and small guest rooms.
7. Bring In Pattern
No matter your design aesthetic, bringing in pattern makes a space feel layered, interesting, and personal. All solids, from the upholstery to the textiles and throw pillows, can quickly feel sleepy and one-dimensional. When in doubt, mix a timeless stripe with a hint of floral, or a graphic checkerboard with an abstract accent — you won’t regret it!
8. Play With Paint
Gone are the days of using color on the walls, and keeping the ceilings and trim white. Now, it’s all about creative paint application, including dramatic trim, painted wainscoting, monochrome color, bold ceilings, and DIY murals. And yes, you can also go monochrome with your finish: go all-eggshell for a seamless look, all flat for understated elegance, or all gloss for something ultra luxe.
9. Sculptural Branches
Fresh florals will never go out of style, but the dramatic, sculptural branch is having a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. It essentially doubles as a piece of artwork, especially when paired with an oversized vase. Go long, graceful, and oversized for maximum impact. The best part? It will run you approximately zero dollars.
10. Natural Textures Are Everything
Popularized by the warm minimalism and organic modern design aesthetics, natural materials are essentially a newfound source of warmth and texture in the design world. Jute, rattan, cane, linen, grasscloth, clay, terracotta, rope, and reclaimed wood are all fair game, whether you’re a modern bohemian or diehard traditionalist.
11. Let Your Heart Guide You!
Despite what this list would lead you to believe, there are no rules in design — especially now. Let your heart guide you and choose pieces that you love, regardless of the aesthetic. In some ways, these new “rules” are meant to empower and inspire the rule-breaker in us all.
Want expert advice on your actual space, straight from an interior designer? Start with our style quiz to work with a design pro one-on-one.