Michaels Predicts 2022 Will Be the Year of “Mindful Making” In Its First-Ever Trend Report

As we close out another year of fun and unique homeware trends—think acrylic furniture, mural walls, and sage green everything—it’s time to start considering what’s in store for 2022.

Michaels, North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain, has just released its first-ever trend report, and they’re dubbing 2022 the year of “Mindful Making”.

Thanks to spending more time at home, the arts and crafts space has grown tremendously over the last two years. According to Michaels’ consumer insights, two-thirds of Makers craft to relax and enjoy a moment of escapism, so it’s no surprise that creativity and mindfulness are two things we will see a lot more as we head into a new year. In 2021, thousands of people joined the Michaels Makers community, and the spike is set to continue.

“At Michaels, we are inspired by our Makers and the incredible things they create,” said Andrea Manning, Senior Director of Trend, Design & Packaging at Michaels, in a press release. “In 2022 we expect to see new and experienced Makers alike continue to practice mindful making, the idea of using arts and crafts to relax and find calm. We’ll see them applying what they learned last year and expanding creatively into new materials and aspirational themes, more sustainable ways of crafting, and to use making to connect with loved ones in new and meaningful ways.”

From upcycling and giving the furniture a new lease of life, to nature-inspired crafts to keep the whole family entertained, here are the eight “Mindful Making” trends to keep an eye out for in 2022, according to Michaels:

1. Celebrate Every Moment: Makers will continue to expand their horizons, embracing cultures from around the world to learn about and celebrate new traditions as ways of connecting with friends and family throughout the year.
2. Daydreaming and Travel: After spending so much time at home, Makers are dreaming of travelling and fulfilling their wanderlust through designs inspired by their bucket list destinations and favorite places. 
3. Nostalgia and Comfort: Hygge-inspired spaces that create comfort, warmth and lean into #cottagecore will reach the mainstream through calming, understated florals, embroidery, and needlepoint.
4. Making Together: Parents and caregivers will celebrate the experience of discovery and engage more deeply with children through kid-directed, choice-driven Process Art.
5. Natural and Environmental: Makers will continue to find unexpected natural materials to incorporate into their makes, foraging and collecting for craft and enabling Makers of all ages to engage and interact with nature even before beginning to create.
6. Thoughtful Personalization: Makers will turn to hand stitching, printing, and applique to create exceptionally personalized gifts, DIY branding, and creative for every moment.
7. Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle: Mindful making takes on new meaning as Makers become more aware of crafting sustainably, learning how to repurpose textiles from tutorials on social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok. Through giving materials a second life, Makers are able to reduce carbon emissions, waste, and water consumption.
8. Incorporating Tech: Makers will lean into technology and tools like Cricut, lasers, and cutting machines to create custom leather, vinyl, and fabric crafts at home.