Image credit: Studionom

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter, all-white, “perfect” homes; today’s shoppers are looking to decorate in ways that truly reflect their personal taste and values, leaning into all things layered, cozy and inviting. Warm tones like camel, taupe and chocolate brown are becoming our new neturals, while the mixing and matching of retro items with contemporary pieces—dubbed “newstalgia”—comforts us with memories of the past while grounding us in the present.

In 2022, we’re prioritizing well-crafted, upscale and inspiring pieces for the home: in the last three months alone, we’ve seen a staggering 2,313% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade furniture*. If this year’s decor trends are any indication, we’re not only ready to fall in love with our homes again—we’re excited to show them off, too.

Over-the-top texture

After so much social distancing, many of us are craving all things tactile and embracing texture in our homes. On Etsy, we’ve seen an 83% increase in searches for boucle chairs, sofas or ottomans*, as shoppers gravitate towards this soft and cozy textile. In addition to feeling good to touch, incorporating texture into your decor can add visual interest to your space, making it feel dynamic and lived in. On Etsy, we’ve seen a 172% increase in searches for tufted wall art*, a 38% increase in searches for fluted or ribbed glassware*, and a 23% increase in searches for paper lamps and lampshades*.

Pro tip: don’t be afraid to mix and match textures, layering a variety of different materials together—from leather, velvet and woven textiles to items carved with fluted, ribbed or grooved textures.

Boucle Ball Cushion, Decorative Arch, Leather Vase, Live Edge Wood Table, Rice Paper Lamp, Customizable Simple Arch Rug, Woven Pottery, Woven Leather Bench, Ribbed Glass Pendant Light

Grown-up gradients

While ombre aesthetics have come, gone and evolved over the past decade (looking at you, tie-dye!), we’re seeing a shift towards more subtle, high-end, “grown-up” gradient designs. Applied on everything from large-scale wallpaper and art to more decorative objects, textiles and accent pieces, the dreamy watercolor-like blending of tones from light to dark can provide a calming, mesmerizing effect on the beholder. Searches on Etsy for ombre, gradient or dip dye candles are up 62%*, while searches for ombre or gradient art have increased by 40%*. In particular, the creative energy-capturing trend of aura art has surged in popularity, with searches up 192%* in the last three months, compared to the same time last year.

Peach Bowl, Textile Fiber Knot Art, Chromatic Concrete Side Table, Gradient Wall Art, Cosmos Green Glass Side Table, Ombre Taper Candles, Hand-painted Pillow Cover, Fluted Mirror, Gradient Blue Lampshade

Statement mirrors

Mirrors are the epitome of form and function. For one, they reflect light, brighten up dark corners and make any room feel instantly bigger. But used decoratively, mirrors can add beauty and elegance to your walls (in addition to upgrading your selfie game). From retro styles and ornate antiques to more modern and contemporary pieces, Etsy is a treasure trove of statement mirrors, and shoppers are leaning towards more unexpected varieties as of late—we’ve seen a 203% increase in searches for funky mirrors* a 127% increase in searches for asymmetrical mirrors* and a 107% increase in searches for tufted or punch needle mirrors* in the last three months.

Antique Mirror, Geo Rock Shape Mirrors, Portal Mirror, Fracture Mirror, Live Edge Mirror, Dark Antiqued Mirror, Asymmetric Mirror

Mood-boosting accents

The importance of wellbeing has been brought to the forefront throughout the pandemic and one easy way to boost your energy is to surround yourself with things that make you happy—whether that’s through bright and sunny color schemes, vintage pieces from a favorite childhood decade, or playful motifs that remind us not to take life (or ourselves) too seriously. Shoppers appear to be chasing the good vibes: On Etsy, searches for retro or nostalgic 90s items are up 729%*, alongside surges in searches for pastel decor (up 73%*), and bright abstract art (up 60%*).

Night Sky Shelf, Radia Orange Print, Art Deco Dining Chair, Entryway Bench, 90s Planter Bundle, Rainbow Bubble Pendant, Two Tone Candle, Vintage Curved Magazine Rack, Wall Light

Unexpected wall art

Shoppers are getting creative and adorning their walls with unconventional items that redefine the meaning of wall art, from found objects to cherished memorabilia. Etsy sellers are offering easy ways to add personality to your walls—with searches for personalized or custom shadow boxes up 32%*. We’re also seeing increased consideration in functional items that that can offer beauty to our walls, too: we’ve seen a 74% increase in searches for hanging propagation planters*, a 35% increase in searches for hat hangers* and a 34% increase in searches for bike wall mounts* in the last three months.

Hat Hanger, Bike Hanger, Record Ledge, Book Rest, Guitar Wall Hanger, Wooden Surfboard, Propagating Station

Travel-inspired motifs

In case you haven’t heard, wanderlust is on the rise again, and travel-inspired motifs are making their way into home decor as shoppers plot their next adventure: we’ve seen a 134% increase in searches for push pin maps* and a 22% increase in searches for atlas or map art*. Vintage globes and repurposed trunks are another popular way to incorporate this worldly aesthetic into your home. But even if a vacation is not on your immediate horizon, on Etsy you can travel the globe without leaving your living room. With access to handcrafted goods from all around the world at your fingertips, why not commemorate a favorite travel memory with something special from a destination close to your heart?

Concrete Copper Globe, Vintage Trunk Chest, Vintage World Topographic Map, Vintage Trunk, Mountain Trio, Aerial Photography, Keyhole Rock, Ink Map Drawings

*In the last three months, compared to the same time the previous year.