Following the frenzied pace of 2021, experts anticipate the residential market will tap the brakes ever so slightly in 2022 as interest rates start to creep higher. But any cooldown will be minimal thanks to plenty of pent-up housing demand, historically low inventory and eager buyers – we're looking at you, millennials – ready to make a change. Meanwhile, the industry trend of digital transformation, spurred initially by the pandemic, shows no signs of letting up heading into 2022.

During the pandemic, we all got used to carving out makeshift spaces at home for work, school, virtual happy hours and more. Now, designs and features that allow some separation and privacy are in high demand for the year ahead, with “pocket” spaces growing in popularity and floor plans shifting to be a little less open and a bit more defined.

With the work-from-home – or anywhere – lifestyle here to stay, homeowners now want two or more dedicated workspaces to accommodate the entire household, including guests. And the trend isn’t limited to primary residences. Second homes once reserved for R&R are increasingly functioning as second primary residences, making stylish home offices a must-have even in the most remote locations.

At-home recreation and entertaining became the norm during the pandemic, and in 2022, homeowners want more of the same but with an elevated twist. Think stocked-up drinking dens, decked-out rec rooms and guest suites with gusto – spaces that entice homeowners and their visitors to stay in, maybe for days at a time.

The kitchen is being called into service more than ever before as an all-in-one space for work, fun, entertaining and, yes, even cooking. Besides larger and better-equipped kitchens, today’s home designs have upped the amount of pantry storage for those buying in bulk – and even feature delivery doors for receiving grocery orders, meal kits and other packages.