They say you shouldn’t have a favorite child, but no one ever said you can’t have a favorite house tour, right? Right. And even though we love all the homes we feature each year, some in particular stand out as fan favorites. From a Cincinnati jewel-box colored home to a super-smart 190-square-foot studio, our editors’ favorite homes of 2022 were totally unafraid of color and stuff. They all seemed to nail the concept of maximalism, without veering into clutter. Plus, they’re all full of lovingly-sourced antiques, bold pops of color and pattern, and clever uses of space, which are just some of the things that make Apartment Therapy home tours inspiring.

“This cottage in the U.K. is splashed with color in a way that doesn’t feel super overwhelming,” says Deputy Lifestyle Director, Madeline Bilis, “something I hope to mimic in my new apartment.” This home is filled with English charm while also embracing the colors, patterns, and groovy vibe of the ’60s. Bilis particularly loves the “decade-dabbling” the home plays with, as it exudes very old cottage from the exterior and through the floors, which is paired with an Eames lounger or a very-1960s orange daisy wallpaper. “And that crane mural in the bathroom?” Bilis adds, “It’s amazing! Bathrooms are a place to go bold (and/or stick to a theme) and this one does that perfectly.”

If you love original wood trim and molding, but also like a personal touch in a home, you will surely appreciate this tour. Staff writer Sarah Everett counts this home as her favorite this year, as she loves “the historic wood details paired with jewel tones,” which is certainly a unique choice that pays off in wow factor. “Although almost every view is whimsical and dreamy,” she says, “I think my favorite little vignette is the dining booth in the kitchen. The woodwork is stunning — the booth is actually made of wood from bowling alley lanes — and the stained glass is envy-inducing.”

It’s no secret that studio apartments are tough to work with, but when they’re approached creatively and cleverly, the results are often amazing. This 190 square foot home (yup, 190!) is no exception. “I love not only all the smart small-space maximizing ideas that she incorporated into her studio apartment to make it feel organized and comfy,” says House Tour Director, Adrienne Breaux, “but I also love how many intentional and meaningful elements she folded into her home’s design.” It’s true — renter Crystal Wyatt infused pieces of her late mother throughout the space, and “after a lot of big life and career changes, she turned what was essentially a tiny white box into an incredibly warm, cozy, and personal safe space that embodies so much of what we value here at Apartment Therapy.”

If you’re looking for the answers to millennial financial questions (Why can’t I afford a home? Where should I invest?) you might already know Amanda Holden, but she’s also got a knack for striking the perfect stuff vs. no stuff apartment balance. Home Director Danielle Blundell says her Brooklyn apartment is “a perfect example of maximalist minimalism insofar as it packs lots of personality, color, and pattern punch, but still feels like a place where you could just chill out without feeling visually overwhelmed.” Holden also wields color to her advantage, and Blundell adds that “the expert use of coral paint also made me rethink the idea of accent walls and the color orange in general, two things you don’t see as much of in 2022 as you did, say, in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and even the early 2000s. Still, the place feels totally modern.”

“My favorite content on TikTok is young, fly Black girls living in cute spaces,” says Assistant Home Editor, Savannah West, and since she’s been a follower of Lauren W. for some time, she was super excited to see her home featured on Apartment Therapy. The big orange couch, the squiggly motifs, and ’70s-inspired pieces made this apartment “easily my favorite this year,” says Savannah.

“I adore this Tudor style home,” says Cleaning and Organizing Editor, Stephanie Nguyen, “It’s absolutely charming and cozy and I love how it mixes old and new, with so many thrifted finds and antiques that decorate the rooms.” And it really is stunning, using muted and jewel-toned colors throughout, brass hardware, mid-century lighting, and more traditional textiles for a perfectly balanced mix. “They wanted it to be timeless and unique,” Nguyen points out, and adds that her favorite room is “probably the kitchen,” thanks to “the beautiful scallop details, like the custom hood cover.”

“I can’t get over this multi-colored single-family home in Sweden,” says Associate Lifestyle Editor Sofia Rivera, “where the homeowner describes the style as a mid-century modern foundation with Wes Anderson and maximalist influences (amazing). The eclectic gallery walls, saturated hues, and hand-painted murals all come together like visual ASMR — I feel like coming home here would just feel so happy, which is exactly what I think home should do.”

Style Shopping Editor Blair Donovan says it’s “a pipe dream of mine to move to the European countryside some day, but until then, living vicariously through this Barcelona cottage B&B will have to do. Homeowner Sonia Sanz — who bought the space during the pandemic to rent out — and her family have worked to maintain the property’s original charm, making it the ultimate cozy-meets-classic design inspo. The unique flea market furniture, well-curated accents (hello, red gingham kitchen sink skirt), and overall minimalist Mediterranean aesthetic make me want to move in ASAP.”

I simply could not get enough of this Barcelona home. I drank in each photo and parsed out every detail — there’s so much to see, and yet it’s not overwhelming thanks to the bright, airy walls and windows. The owner, Chloé, is a master at layering traditional pieces and antiques with modern, pop art, and quirky elements. The gilded mirrors and weathered wardrobe of the entryway somehow feel just as comfy in the space as a moose head or giant blue letters in the kitchen, thanks to her ability to juxtapose so many eras and styles. The entire home is a feat, but my favorite room would have to be the kitchen, which is dripping in character and personality, from the mismatched table and chairs to the boldly curated art selection.