Why Interior Designers Can't Wait To Ditch Non-Functional Decor In 2022

Popular interior design elements are always coming and going, and there are often plenty of decor trends that come along that we want to embrace. The past few years have brought a boom of maximalism, the trend that indulges your desire to pack more and more stuff into your space (via Homes & Gardens). We have reason to believe, though, that this trend is on its way out and that the end of 2022 will take us back to embracing a "less is more" approach to decorating our spaces (via YouTube).

While there are plenty of interior design trends that are just for aesthetic purposes, some decor trends are practical. This one definitely falls into that category. Interior designer, Kiva Brent, believes that by the time 2023 rolls around, your house should be free of all non-functional decor. Brent believes that this change won't just make your space look better, but it will make you feel better, too.

For many of us, whether or not we've embraced the maximalist trend, if we see a piece of decor we like, we tend to want to incorporate it into our space (via Homes & Gardens). More decor that we love means a space that we'll love even more, right? Well, not necessarily. Kiva Brent says, "You should be able to buy the fewest number of things and still achieve your design goals" (via YouTube). This means that even if you don't have lots of tchotchkes around, you can still have a space that fits your style perfectly. In fact, paring down your accessories may even establish the aesthetic you want even more.

According to Brent, the goal is to get rid of decor that you don't use for an actual purpose. For example, if you have a throw pillow that looks cute but feels hard as a rock, swap it out for a pillow that you love the look of that you'll actually want to lay your head on as well. Don't keep candles around that you won't ever burn. Replace them with a candle you love the smell of, or if you don't burn candles, ditch them all together. A clearer space will give you a clearer mind, and you'll be able to get more out of every object in your home.

The first step to moving away from non-functional decor is, of course, to get rid of all of your non-functional decor. The next step is to replace these pieces with pieces that have actual functions. According to Kiva Brent, a great way to make this change is to think about all of your senses when choosing decor, rather than just how something looks (via YouTube). Freeing your space from unusable vases, throws that are just for show and aren't actually cozy, or figurines and sculptures that don't serve a real purpose will not only make your home feel cleaner, but it'll be more sustainable. Buying in excess may feel good in the moment, but ultimately, it just clutters up your style and space.

If you're a DIY fan, you may even want to alter certain decor items to give them a new function (via Seven Edges). Think outside the box when revamping your decor, and the results may surprise you. In the end, you'll be left with a space that is full of items with uses and free of clutter.