History has shown us that interior design trends emerge after a moment of crisis or challenges. For example, Mid-Century Modern design emerged post-World War II and continued to grow in popularity for decades after the war. As we continue to spend more time at home during the pandemic, we’re seeing major shifts in colors, style, and decor for the upcoming year.
Based on my experience within the design industry, here is my forecast of the top ten interior design trends of 2021.
Design by Old Brand New for the One Room Challenge. View the Reveal here
1. Illuminating Yellow
Every year, the Pantone Color Institute picks out a color that anticipates the mood and aesthetic of the year ahead. Last year, the Pantone Color Institute declared “Classic Blue” as the color of 2020—pretty prophetic, considering how blue 2020 ended up being. For 2021, we have a much brighter, cheerier color ahead: Pantone’s “Illuminating,” a bright, sunny shade of yellow that definitely holds true to its name. Including yellow in your home can help elevate your mood and uplift your spirit with a sense of optimism and positivity. Yellow balanced with gray (popularized in homes now) is the perfect combo to invigorate your space while still remaining grounded in neutrals.
2. Cozy & Captivating Textures
This year has forced homeowners to evaluate how they currently live in their homes, how it makes them feel, and how they would like to live in their home going forward. The chilly white-washed rooms popular in the past will be replaced by earthy, rich colors and textured materials. Natural, warm woods such as walnut give a cozy and rustic vibe. When paired with tactile fabrics like nubby bouclé and soft wools, the room is transformed. Layering these different elements come together to create a cocoon-like home, so that when you shut down your laptop and dim the lights, you’re no longer in your office—you’re in your safe haven.
Photography via Beam
3. Smart Home Technology & Touchless Tech
Feeling like there simply isn’t enough time in a day? Smart home technology can help by automating many of the mundane and covertly time-consuming tasks in our daily life. With so much progress in recent years, it’s truly incredible what we can do with this technology: we can view what is in our refrigerator without even opening it, our refrigerator can make suggestions what to cook based on what we have on-hand (Bosch), our dishwasher can reorder detergent (Miele 6700 series), we can preheat our ovens using our smart phone or voice control, we can tell our faucet to dispense two cups of water, and we can make our homes more environmentally friendly with smart home thermostats (Nest). If there was ever a time to upgrade your home so you can have it all controlled from the palm of your hand, it’s now.
Design by Jean Stoffer Design
4. Bold Cabinetry & Lively Kitchens
Out with the old, in with the new! As we continue spending more time in our homes and cooking more at-home meals, the once popular all-white look feels dull and lethargic. In order to bring the energetic atmosphere of a restaurant or bar to your home kitchen, we’ll see a shift away from the monochromatic neutrals of the past, and a movement towards bold cabinetry colors and backslash tile to recreate that lively, restaurant-esque vibe in your home. Deep navies and emerald greens will shine on the entire kitchen, not just on a contrasting island. Our casual at-home dining will be elevated too with artfully designed dishes, serving wear, and dining rooms.
5. Home Theater & Entertainment Spaces
As the pandemic continues, we find ourselves striving to emulate the atmospheres we miss: movie theaters, concerts, parties. With more of us opting to stay in instead of go out, many homeowners are beginning to upgrade their entertainment rooms with larger television screens, high-quality sound systems, and lounge seating to bring the atmosphere into the comfort (and safety) of their own home. While we’re moving towards more inviting and comfortable spaces, we’re not sacrificing style for functionality. Opt for natural textures, fluffy pillows, deep sofas, and wood furniture to cultivate a warmer, more welcoming environment.
6. Mudrooms & Sanitization Rooms
After 2019’s Tidying Up With Marie Kondo craze, we’ve become more aware of our clutter and how it affects our headspace. Creating designated spaces for certain things ensures organization, which declutters our spaces and declutters our minds. Mudrooms can be tailored to your needs: shoes, wet jackets, school backpacks, sports equipment, and cubbies. Mudrooms increase the value of your home and protect the rugs and floors inside by ensuring that there’s a designated space for wet and muddy apparel. In addition, sinks can be added to the space so everyone can wash their hands after being out—a safeguard to make sure germs and dirt are not tracked into the home during the pandemic. Organization and cleanliness should not be limited to efficiency—it should be beautiful too!
7. “Grandmillennial” & Eclectic Style
Grandmillennial style is not all doilies and strawberry-flavored hard candy in a glass bowl! This emerging style embraces Grandma’s floral fabrics, traditionally shaped furnishings, ornamental ceiling medallions, decorative details, yet blended with contemporary lighting, streamlined upholstery, abstract artwork, and modern accessories for an updated yet chic spin on Grandma’s living room. With more millennials choosing to thrift or search Facebook Marketplace for high-quality secondhand decor, we’re seeing many pieces that showcase the individual’s unique style while remaining eco-friendly (secondhand furniture creates less waste). However, the “Grandmillennial” label can be misleading; it’s not just limited to your Grandma’s era. Eclectic styles are on the rise—everything from Art Deco to 1980s-inspired are being embraced and living harmoniously in rooms across the country.
Design and Photography by Alisa Bovino of A Glass of Bovino. See the full room here
8. Wallpaper
In the same vein as the Grandmillennial style, wallpaper is making its comeback. Don’t worry—it’s not the dizzying 1970s wallpaper patterns of the past. Departing from statement walls with either bold paint colors or eclectic gallery walls, we go a little further with wallpaper (or bold paint colors gleaming on all four walls). A bit afraid to commit to wallpaper? Many of them now come in peel and stick rolls for easy application and removal. Who needs a Zoom background when your wallpaper is chic?
9. Light Tone Wood Furniture
Wood furniture isn’t just limited to vintage decor. Wood is extremely flexible in design and can be used in a variety of styles: modern, rustic, traditional, or even Scandinavian modern. Providing texture and warmth, wood furniture can make your space feel more tied to nature. Lighter woods provide a neutral palette for effortless styling and a lightness to the space that evokes a sense of serenity. If you’re interested in pushing back against fast-fashion/decor, investing in high-quality wood furniture (even thrifted or antique) allows you to shop more sustainably and cultivate a space that you can call yours for years to come.
Photography via our collaboration with HomeGoods “Bring the Good Vibes Home”
10. Wicker & Caning
Popular in the 1970s, wicker and caning are making a comeback fifty years later. Similarly to light-tone wood furniture, wicker evokes a natural look that gives a vintage vibe with visual airiness. A perfect contrast to bold color schemes and wallpaper, wicker’s neutral and natural color and texture ties all of the elements of the space together without compromising its uniqueness or dynamism.