‘Cheugy’ is the latest term being slapped onto old fashioned millennial interiors by disdained Gen Zs, but this time, it’s these 5 TikTok trends that will be fitting the bill pretty soon.
Hint: If the phrase ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ appears anywhere in your home, you may want to exit here, as no amount of second hand embarrassment from cringed out Gen Zs will stop you now.
Interior experts at Essential Living have revealed what trends to look out for, and what to avoid in 2022.
- Cluttercore
Tidy room, tidy mind, right? Well, not with TikTok’s newest named anti-minimalist trend of 2021, ‘Cluttercore’. We get it – with more time spent at home, people are looking for ways to make their home more cosy, and embrace the mess. Unfortunately, cluttercore’s reign will be nothing if not short lived.
The thing is, it’s impractical for most people. It’s not classic, and it’s too overly trendy -all signs of a hype that will just not last. It usually looks a lot better on Pinterest than it does in real life.
Luckily, you can still live out your maximalist dreams with some subtle changes. Too much of anything can leave you feeling overwhelmed, so reduce the number of different colours, and repeat textures for a playful but cohesive visual.
- Dark Academia
Heavily inspired by Greek architecture, European history and renaissance art, Dark Academia has risen into popularity in 2021 – with over 2K pins on Pinterest and 1.5 billion views on TikTok.
The experts at Essential Living have revealed that too much time spent in dark rooms can have negative effects on your mood, memory and sleep cycles – making this aesthetic the least sustainable of them all.
Luckily, there is a way to incorporate Dark Academia if this alluring aesthetic is the one that captures you. Replacing gloomy greys with brighter browns and adding some of your favourite old books and antiques will capture the essence of the gothic undertone, without taking this trend too literally.
- Farmhouse
Incorporating a blend between modern, contemporary design and traditional country style, the farmhouse trend has been one of the biggest since 2020. But according to Gen Z, this tired trend has probably passed its peak.
The lanterns, shiplap, the barn doors, the distressed wood and washed out colours – it’s gotta go. It’s time. Sorry.
If you’re still looking for that easygoing farmhouse aesthetic, but don’t want to be labelled ‘most out of date house on the block’, swap out the washed furniture for more modern chic, whilst still incorporating those neutral earthy tones.
- Millennial Pink
This one might break many millennial hearts, but sorry, this trend has had its time. Millennial pink has been having its major moment for a while now, with #pinkbathroom taking over TikTok with over 2 million views this year. From the runways to our homes, millennial pink has become the ‘new black’ for many.
Softer hues of green and pink have long played a key part in millennial culture, however, colours that will be coming into play for 2022 include much cooler tones, such as deep greens, teals and cobalts for a serene space inspired by nature. Pair these with neutral tones for a strong yet soothing space, allowing any bold patterns or textures to shine.
- Ultimate grey
Is grey here to stay? Well, that depends. Pantone named it the colour of the year for 2021, highlighting that ‘ultimate grey’ has certainly taken its share of the spotlight for a while now – giving off a glam and modern luxury vibe. But our experts recommend that we leave this dull trend in the past.
In short, grey will always be a great go-to neutral colour to start your base with, but try giving the place some contrast. Swap the moody look for some more playful, vibrant pieces for a modern/retro take. You’ll still have the modern vibe, but a few bolder colours will keep your space much more electric.