Bedroom trends 2022: color trends and inspirational decor ideas

The top bedroom trends for 2022 feature sophisticated yet thoughtful ways to update your sleep space in style with practical design at the core of each idea.

Our bedrooms are one of the most important rooms in the home, integral to our wellbeing as a space to retreat, relax and, most importantly, reset.

The top interior design trends for 2022 won't just help make your home look good, but also help to create a haven in which you feel good too. This year, there's a greater focus on bringing calming natural elements in and pushing stress-inducing factors in the home out, with plenty of stylish solutions for how to de-clutter your home and give you more space to live and grow. 

The most exciting bedroom trends and interior paint color trends for your space this year feature serene yet stylish color palettes, savvy storage and all the accessories that will increase the cozy factor in your sleep sanctuary. 

 Top bedroom trends 2022 

1. Color drenching

The term color drenching is quite simply an act of painting all surfaces, taking colour beyond the four walls to immerse the room in color.

 "If you paint walls, skirting, doors, cupboards, radiators and even window frames in the same colour it will look thoughtful and sophisticated," explains Crown paints' senior designer, Justyna Korczynska.

"There are many ways to get creative with paint, especially in the bedroom. To make an impact use one colour or tones of one colour in a room. This works particularly well with soft greyed blues and greens as well as any neutral paint, however if you want to make a dramatic statement use a bold bright colour such as a red, orange or yellow - this will make the space pop, bringing it to life and adding character."

Bedrooms is where this new way with paint really makes the most impact. Painting ceilings and woodwork in any shade that's not a shark white, as is the norm for most homes, helps to soften the aesthetic of the decor to create a more encompassing atmosphere. 

2. Smart blinds

In the spirit of the 'connected home', more and more of our everyday essentials are becoming 'smart' (or automated), including blinds. Electric blinds are the new window treatment proving popular, especially for bedrooms. Remember that scene in the movie 'The Holiday', where Kate Winslet's character is left in awe of the remote controlled blinds? This modern day marvel is no longer just for the Hollywood set – drawing the blinds at the touch of a button is becoming more mainstream for every home. 

"Many more homes are becoming technology-orientated with more consumers opting for integrated solutions to make their lives easier," explains Kate Duckworth at Swift Direct Blinds. "As such an important feature, it's no surprise that blinds have become motorised. The ability to link these up to home automation systems makes them an extremely versatile and practical addition to any interior."

3. Ambient lighting solutions

To sleep better at night we know that bright, overhead lights should be turned off for a least an hour before bed, to give our eyes adequate time to adjust to the darkness.

Given how key lighting is for a bedroom scheme, for sleep preparation alone, it's important that it becomes a design focus for any decor. 

The latest tech for smart lighting means we can control our lights at the touch of a button, like a remote dimmer that can act as a sleep aid to lower the levels of light saturation gradually. This awareness sees bedroom trends move away from harsh overhead lights, as this season is all about the senses. 

For 2022 think soft smart lighting as a primary source of light for bedrooms. Use adjustable, warm-toned lamps on beside tables to flood soft pools of light either side of the bed to guide a path. You can also use gentle under-lighting to give dressing tables, wardrobes and beds a sumptuous, hotel-like feel for an added touch of ambience. 

4. Paneling

Paneling will continue to be a popular style element in bedrooms this year, adding depth and texture to rooms. A timeless feature that instantly updates any room, paneling will look great behind the bed instead of a traditional headboard, becoming a sophisticated focal point whether you opt for a bold hue or a neutral tone. 

“Wall panelling is a trend that is here to stay, as it’s not only simple to create yourself, but it creates a traditional, homely feel to your bedroom, adding character and personality," says Katie Thomas, founder of interior design company KTM Design.

“The panelling trend has been popular over the last few years. However, introducing wallpaper within panelling is only just beginning in 2022. You can form artwork by framing wallpaper within panels creating a striking feature for your bedroom.”

5. Cluttercore

It may seem like the exact opposite of what you want in your bedroom, but the cluttercore trend is all about curated maximalism. Adding loads of personality to the bedroom, IKEA predicts that the statement style will dominate 2022's interior design trends. 

"To invoke the curated cluttercore trend and repurpose, store, and show off your items with flair, incorporate clashing tones, rich and textured materials with contrasting structures to provide a feeling of richness within the home," says Clotilde Passalacqua, Interior Design Leader at IKEA UK and Ireland. 

"Complement the soft edges of the BÖJA table lamp in nickel-plated/bamboo with the structured design of the LUBBAN trolley table, packed with mismatched and meaningful items. Pair the LEIKNY cushion coverand KRANSBORRE cushion to express yourself through vivid, eclectic color palettes. Think burnt orange with pops of ocean blue alongside delicate floral tones including pinks and blushes."

6. Biophilia

Biophilic design is all about reconnecting with nature and bringing outdoor garden trends in, and demand for this trend has soared over the last 12 months.

This trend runs alongside the 'Cottagecore' takeover from last year. However, instead of heavy florals, the biophilic trend focuses mainly on minimal green foliage elements with lots of breathing space.

Lauren, designer and trend researcher at Hovia, notes: “Biophilic design is an interior trend that is back for 2022 and it’s sure to stay. Not only does it take inspiration from botanical trends, but it produces a cacophony of bold, green tones that are perfect for bathrooms and living spaces alike. Any reference on bringing the outside in will have a positive impact on mental health, too.” 

“The lockdown throughout 2020 and 2021 has seen a lot of us spending a significant amount of time in our homes and we’re seeing Biophilic interior design becoming increasingly popular as we move into 2022," comments Vicky Salmon, Head Florist at Interflora. "More of us are looking to bring elements of the outdoors into our homes, populating areas with plants that have both physical and mental wellbeing benefits as well as being aesthetically beautiful to look at.“

If you're keen to incorporate this trend into your bedroom, opt for low-maintenance house plants that thrive in indirect sunlight (you can find these at the best places to buy plants online). Flower delivery service Interflora suggests a rubber plant, which are often referred to as the "perfect bedroom plant".

"Not only does this plant provide the perfect addition to your biophilic design aesthetically, but it also has amazing health benefits," notes Vicky. The plant assists in removing pollutants from the air such as Carbon Dioxide. It’s also the perfect plant for those who suffer from allergies as it doesn’t produce any pollen."

7. Multifunctional Furniture

Many of us are still working from home in 2022, so multifunctional furniture is still a key design element for our homes in the year ahead. Aside from necessity, you get more for your money by investing in multifunctional furniture and it's a simple way to save space. 

"Whether you have a dedicated room to work in or like many of us, are updating a corner of your bedroom, it’s important to look beyond traditional furniture and instead design something with style in mind," says  Marc Epstein, Design Specialist and Creative Director of CARME Home. 

“Desks that double up as dressing tables mean that your work can be hidden at the end of the day, enabling you to create an effective work-life balance without the temptation of jumping on your desk just before bed.”

8. Ottoman Beds

While nothing new, ottoman beds are set to see a revival in 2022. The hidden storage makes these types of beds a great option - especially if you have a smaller space to work with. 

"We are seeing a big trend for storage beds with drawers and ottoman beds with gas lifts with large and tall headboards," says Rikki Khan, Product Designer at Sonno.

"More and more people want a bed that suits their own individual taste, which is why we've developed a wide range of fully customizable beds. The most popular colors for beds at the moment, which we predict will remain the case throughout 2022 are blue, purple, mink and gray."

9. Statement Headboards

Say goodbye to the Scandi minimalism that has dominated bedroom trends (and interior trends in general) for the last few years and hello to cosy patterns, floral designs and varied textures.

Searches for Statement Headboards have seen an 88% increase on Pinterest as those planning their sleeping space have sought to add color and personality to their bedrooms and make their bed the focal point.

“Traditional bold and statement headboards will also be taking over this spring," Nick Drewe trends specialist at WeThrift says. “While traditional and supersize headboards have been a thing for a while now, the style has evolved to more elaborate designs that become pieces of art in their own right and really complete a room."

10. Stripes nouveau

Stripes are always in vogue, whether that be in the bedroom or how to wear stripes on the high street. This design trend will evolve this year to celebrate iconic French design - with Breton stripes and Gingham patterns set to be statement-making designs in both interiors and the top fashion trends of 2022, too. 

Catherine, Head of Design at Hovia, notes, “This is an early stage trend prediction, as we expect the influence of the next Olympic Games to start to trend within interiors. For Paris 2024, we expect to start seeing French style ripple through. We’ve been working on our Stripe wallpaper range, and we will include a Breton style design as a nod to this. We also have some gingham designs in development that are a nod towards the French cafe style.”

 2022 bedroom color trends 

Justyna Korczynska, Senior Designer at Crown paints, explained to Woman&Home that 2022 marks a change in bedroom trends when it comes to color, with a step away from the traditional and simple: "We have found that people are experimenting with abstract paint effects, and unexpected colours. Gone are the days are opting for greys, beiges and creams. Nowadays there are no colours that should be avoided for specific rooms."

Adding: "When decorating in the bedroom, it’s important to choose a colour that resonates with you. Consider how a color makes you feel, if it will help you to unwind and be motivating to wake up to in the morning."

1. Warming reds

The right shade of red can grounding and comforting. The key to using shades of red is in choosing the right pigment. The most popular shade of red right now at Farrow & Ball is Red Earth.

"We are still craving warm tones to enrich our homes and create cosy sanctuaries away from the outside world," explains Farrow & Ball's Colour Consultant Joa Studholme. Speaking of the move towards warmer, earthier tones inspired by nature Joa adds: "These colours create a thought-provoking atmosphere, as well as being warm and welcoming in spaces that you relax in at the end of the day."

"This light terracotta hue takes its name from the very soil beneath our feet. Red Earth is a rich blend of red and yellow pigments which create a warm earthy feel."

"Often best used in smaller spaces, this warm colour responds extraordinarily to the changes of light throughout the day, becoming deeper and cosier as the sun drops." Perfect qualities to explain why this shade of warming red is a popular trending bedroom color.

2. Brooding black

Every room in the home is gladly moving over to the dark side of the color spectrum to make a real statement. "Black is powerful and luxurious, and is a real bold statement used in a bedroom" says psychologist Lee Chambers, who analysed the effect of color in the bedroom on behalf of TheDozyOwl. 

"It certainly leads to a feeling of mystery, and this can be quite exciting. But for some people the darkness makes the walls feel like they are closing in," he warns. So while it's not for everyone, it's certainly a color that will make a bold style statement. 

Brighten up the darkness with pops of bold accent colour, be it an on-trend mustard velvet bed like this Sofology Alchemist design or with the simpler addition of cushions, throws and bedding. 

3. Serene Green

The popularity of green in our homes isn't going away any time soon and a range of shades will be big this year, from a calming sage green to deeper, bolder, emerald green tones. 

 B&Q predicts that the hue will be a big deal in bedroom trends for 2022 too:

“As we’ve seen, our love of nature is going to be a big interiors trend for 2022, and green is predicted to be the top interiors color trend of the year," comments B&Q’s Director of Interiors & trends expert, Susie Spence. 

Back-to-nature color schemes incorporating green hues is a big kitchen trend for 2022 too, and Michael Rolland, MD of The Paint Shed, explained to Woman&Home that earthy green tones will have particular prominence this year: “A trend that started to emerge early to mid 2021 will continue into the new year is the use of earthy green tones throughout the house, and in particular, the bedroom.

"Green is the perfect shade for the bedroom as in colour psychology green stimulates thoughts of balance, growth and restoration, which is similar to what occurs when your body repairs and processes in sleep. The colour is also closely associated with health, wellness and fertility which is further argument that this shade belongs in the bedroom."

4. Natural brown

For a warming, subtle bedroom design, opt for earth tones this year, such as Dunn-Edwards' 2022 Color of the Year, "Art and Craft DET682". 

"This is a versatile color that we expect to see applied across a variety of industries and disciplines throughout 2022,” said Sara McLean, Color Expert and Stylist for Dunn-Edwards, in a press release. “I see bohemian glamour and a touch of autumn in Paris. “Art and Craft” is truly a down-to-earth color that signifies stability, comfort, and calm, a color that expresses what we all seek right now.”

Interior experts at Hi-Spec Design agree: "Brown works well in a room as it brings the tones down within a space and can work really well with brighter "pops" of color throughout a space."

5. Blue

Blue tones have seen a rise in popularity, and with this classic color being a pivotal shade within Color of the Year announcements (think Dulux's "Bright Skies" and Pantone's "Very Peri"), blue hues aren't going anywhere. 

Valspar Paint has created a "Be(at) the Blues" color palette, helping reclaim January as a month of color and confidence. Will Thompson, Head Of Product Marketing at Valspar Paint, explains the inspiration behind the new palette, and how using blue can impact our surroundings, as well as our minds. 

"Our environment can have a big impact on our mood including the color of our surroundings. Blue tones have a biophilic nature and therefore evoke a stress-relieving and mood-boosting atmosphere," he says. 

"Hazy, muted, and softer shades are all grounded in the natural world and encourage us to reflect and take a moment of calm. Whilst fresher cleaner tones, such as teals and turquoises, encourage more light into a space, boosting serotonin and enhancing positive moods. Instead of feeling blue this January, we want to paint the month blue, helping people to Color with Confidence and optimize their homes for calm and restoration."

6. Lilac

“Lilac was a very popular choice for bedrooms in the 90s and is having something of a revival, albeit with a modern twist," predicts Debbie Leigh, Design Manager at i-liv.co.uk.

"Lilac works really well in bedrooms, creating a soothing feel in which to unwind.  In the language of flowers, lilac represents love, making in a perfect choice for this room.Lilac is a surprisingly versatile shade to use and actually works well with a surprising number of other colours.  For a natural scheme, try pairing with greens, white, pinks and other shades of purple.  For a bedroom, lilac works well with grey, as both contain grey undertones.  For a brighter, braver palette, contrasting colours like using yellow or orange curtains will create a real pop against a gentle lilac coloured wall.”