Top Design Trends in 2021
With the start of a new year comes a new wave of trends. More trends emerged in 2020 perhaps more than previous years, and if we’ve learnt anything from those months in lockdown, it’s that our homes are our safe spaces. It’s important to carry that lesson into 2021 and take a closer look at your home’s interior design: Does it make you feel safe? Does it bring you joy? Does it make you feel at peace? Take the time to be more intentional with your space this year. With more and more businesses choosing to work from home, you may be spending more time at your abode. It might be a good idea to invest in your interior design, and remember: don’t be afraid to change things up once in a while.
1. Closed floor plans
Open-floor plans were a big design trend last decade—and they might just stay as a thing of the past. Many designers are now looking into dedicated rooms that not only give way for a wider exploration of different types of interior design but also provide privacy and help facilitate social distancing within a home if need be. Apart from that, closed floor plans help in separating the line between work and relaxation, which is necessary for those who are working from home.
2. Nature-inspired interiors
If we can’t go outside, then we can bring the outside to us. Taking design inspiration from nature can be interpreted as subtle or as bold as you want. Recently, indoor jungles have been on-trend, where people give their interior a tropical feel with an abundance of indoor plants. A more subtle approach would be using different kinds of natural material in your furniture. Mixing and matching different wood textures can be an easy way to emulate a feel of nature in your home, and rattan furniture is particularly in trend these days.
3. Maximalism
While sleek minimalist designs are still in, the appeal of maximalist interiors is rising. Curated maximalist rooms tend to be more personal and intimate to a homeowner, not to mention unique. It’s a way to express oneself and tell a story through your interior design choices, from your walls to your furniture to the little trinkets you put on display. With a style like this, it’s important to consider visual balance to avoid having a cluttered appearance. If you have a bold personality or an appreciation for unique designs, maximalism might be the style for you.
4. Bright colours
Whether it’s a statement wall or bold furniture choices, bright colours are slowly becoming the winning choice over simple white designs. Pops of colour in your interior design can easily brighten your home and turn a boring room into a room full of personality. You can even combine complementary colours to create a more striking space. If you’re hesitant to dive into the world of bright interiors, you can start with smaller pieces of furniture, like a side table or an accent chair.
5. Home offices
Many people didn’t have to think about bringing work home pre-COVID. Now, with work-from-home being the safe choice, people have had to make do with working in their bedrooms. This isn’t exactly ideal—it makes it harder to relax even when your workday is finished and disrupts your sleep schedule. Just as we’ve had to adapt in various areas of our lives due to the pandemic, our homes have to change, too. Thus, home offices are now more of a necessity than a luxury. By having a dedicated workspace in your home, you can tackle your work privately while maintaining a sense of peace in your bedroom and shared spaces.
6. Yellow and grey
Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray are Pantone’s 2021 colours of the year. According to Pantone, “The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.” Emulate this timely message by incorporating yellows and greys into your interior. You can easily do this by decorating your house with yellow and grey paintings, or with a few throw pillows and blankets on your living room couch.
7. Art gallery walls
Rather than a big statement art piece, many homeowners are now putting up a lot of paintings and artworks on their walls. Many opt for the purposely cluttered look by foregoing the frames, overlapping different artworks on top of each other, and sometimes even showing the tape as part of the design. This is definitely a trend where the saying, “The more the merrier,” applies.
8. Unique lighting
Lighting design is something people often overlook when planning their homes. Light fixtures can be decorative as well as serve a purpose. If you make the right choices, your lighting can be a statement art piece that is sure to catch the eye. To save up on floor space, opt for ceiling or wall lights. Mood lighting in bedrooms has been on a constant upward trend, while lighting fixtures with artistic, futuristic silhouettes are fit for living rooms and other shared spaces.
