Now more than ever, the spaces we live in play a pivotal role in how we feel. Since the pandemic, people are spending far more time at home so it’s even more important to create an inspiring and relaxing space for your tenants.

If you’re looking to spruce up your property, ready to appeal to future tenants and command higher rental prices, here are some of the biggest trends that will make your projects look modern and stylish.

Nature/Bringing The Outside In

The last few years have been chaotic, to say the least. With a global pandemic and climate emergency dominating the headlines, it’s no wonder people are looking to bring a sense of calm back into their lives and reconnect with nature. Because of this, 2022 has been all about welcoming serenity back into the spaces where people spend most of their time.

To create peace and serenity in your property, try bringing the outside in. Adding natural materials such as stone, terracotta and bamboo can unify the inside and outside world whilst introducing different textures and depth.

Try adding Wicca baskets and stoneware as a cost-effective way to work this trend into your next project. These additions will perfectly complement simple, neutral walls if you want to keep the rest of your space minimal.

You can also fulfil the strong desire for adding nature back into the home by incorporating larger plants and small trees – like olive trees – to bring life and some greenery to your space.

Not only are plants beautiful to look at, but they have also been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and boost productivity, so get green!

Expert Property Styling by Mar Design UK — Styling . Marashlynne

The Shapes of The Seventies

Throughout the rest of the year, expect to see a nostalgic revival of the 70s with a focus on creating warm and welcoming spaces.

Interior designers are now steering away from hard edges and harsh lines, and are instead opting for the softer, rounded silhouettes that found their initial popularity in the 70s.

This 70s trend can be worked into any part of a property with injections of warm, earthy colours and bold patterns.

You can also use rounded tables and sculptural furniture to create fluidity throughout your designs – and don’t be afraid to experiment with retro pieces like statement lighting and shaggy rugs!

If you’re really embracing the seventies trend, why not take it one step further and introduce some groovy arched doorways and sunken living space designs to fully immerse your property in seventies splendour.

Mar Design UK - Innovative Interior Design Solutions — Bedroom 04 . Marashlynne

Vintage and Sustainability

Sustainability should start to inhabit all aspects of our lives and be integrated into all interior design decisions.

With the world trying to change to a more sustainable future, what better time to walk down to your local vintage furniture store and find a one-off, unique antique to really get your tenants talking. After all, one man's trash is an interior designer's treasure!

Second-hand shopping can be fun as you can find an array of eclectic one-offs that can be mixed and matched into different areas of your property. So when you’re checking out modern furniture to decorate your latest project, think, “Can I find something similar second-hand?”

If the answer to the question is yes, do some research and keep your eyes peeled in charity shops and you should quickly be able to source the perfect vintage mirror or unique lampshade.

We know that, as property developers, we can be held back on design decisions when it comes to regulations on furniture. But even if you can add just a few vintage pieces to your next project, it could make all the difference.

Affordable Property Design by Mar Design UK — Styling . Marashlynne

Statement Lighting

Lighting is too often left as an afterthought in design, but choosing the right lighting can transform the entire mood of a space. By simply moving a lighting feature around, you can change the focal point of any room – which is a quick and easy hack when you’re trying to elevate a room in your property.

In the lighting world, positioning is everything when it comes to creating the desired ambience. But, don’t think that lighting has to be purely functional, it’s time to make your chosen lighting the statement of the room.

So go wild, whether it's a funky new lampshade or turning multiple light bulbs into a piece of art, let your imagination roam and seriously impress potential tenants.

Premium Property Styling by Mar Design UK — Lighting . Mar503C

Cottagecore

It’s the new trend that’s been dominating social media and it’s now making its way into interior design. So what is this new buzzword? Cottagecore is an aesthetic that idealises a simplistic, rural life.

Creating a cosy, welcoming space for your tenants is what cottagecore is all about.

An abundance of soft furnishings like blankets, cushions and rugs will enhance the cottage feel while upholstered and second-hand pieces will add to the idea of a rural lifestyle.

Pantone’s Colour of The Year

Every year Pantone decides on “The Colour Of The Year” as a trendsetting concept for the year ahead. The colour usually becomes very present in branding, marketing and other creative areas. This year, “Very Peri”, a shade of periwinkle blue, has been chosen.

To keep your interiors on-trend, begin by adding injections of Very Peri into soft furnishings and decor. This shade of blue will bring a sense of fun and playfulness into any room so use it carefully!

There are many creatives who have jumped on the trend so you have your pick when it comes to stylish paintings, prints and neon lights that use this colour to accessorise your space. This way, you can keep your property on trend, without having to commit to a whole new colour scheme.

As the name states, the Pantone Colour of The Year changes every year, so don’t feel pressured to use this colour in every upcoming project!