The lockdown has shifted our way of life, including how we look at our homes. With people spending more and more time at home, 2021 is expected to be a big year for interior design. Some trends will vanish, while others will pop up unexpectedly and completely change our routines.
To lend a hand or offer inspiration for your interior design projects, we created a list of contemporary interior design trends to know about in 2021. From ceramic tilework to upcycling, here’s a closer look:
Lighten Up With Warm Colors
This year, everything is about warm and earthy tones. The main purpose of using warm colors is to soften deeper colors like pine green and midnight blue. The best way to add warm tones is with light-colored wood. Use it as flooring, décor, furniture and outdoor features. To get the most out of this material, combine it with colorful pillows, rugs, artwork, and walls.
Light-stained wood ceilings lend a warming note to this $29-million oceanfront home in Malibu. (Hilton & Hyland)
Go Green In The Kitchen
One of the most quickly growing trends in 2021 is the sage green-hued kitchen. Make it a part of your kitchen by painting cabinets and walls or by adding sage green décor and tiles. This color works well with both warm and cool color tones. Depending on the other colors, it will create either a dramatic or a lively and earthy atmosphere.
A splash of green lends a sophisticated and earthy note to the kitchen at a home in Vail, Colorado. (Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate)
Use Ceramic Tiles To Stand Out
Another kitchen trend to look out for is ceramic tile, specifically using ceramic tile to create a backsplash that stands out. Homeowners appreciate unique features with a homey vibe, and patterned ceramic tiles definitely fit the part. Our personal favorites are Moroccan and handmade tiles with deliberate imperfections. Both will add just the right amount of personality in the kitchen.
In this Hidden Hills home, listed for $24.888 million, ceramic tiles are used to dress up the center islands. (Hilton & Hyland)
Incorporate Textured Elements
Texture is one of the key components of interior design. In the past, texture was added through cushions, wallpapers, and natural materials. However, in 2021, the most popular option will be textured furniture. Think of artistic solutions such as 3D tiles, wood-carved items, fuzzy fabric, and woven furniture.
A hand-plastered ceiling with lacey details creates visual interest in the living room of this New York City apartment, listed for $4.495 million. (Warburg Realty)
Closed Floor Plans
This 2021 trend is a dream come true for everyone who dislikes open floor plans. Since the lockdowns, homeowners got the need to divide open space and create more areas for privacy. But instead of building new walls in the living room, think of dividing the floor plan with creative solutions like unique curtains, luxury room dividers and bookshelves.
Bookshelves are used to divide the living and dining areas inside this 10-room village house in the charming village of Blonay, Switzerland. Asking price: $2.98 million. (Comptoir Immobilier)
Vintage Vibes
The mixture of modern and vintage will continue to be one of the most important interior design trends of the decade. Homeowners are personalizing their household by upcycling old furniture pieces from childhood homes. This results in an authentic look that is hard to replicate.
What’s best about this trend is that you can choose how much vintage spice you want to add. Even a few retro vases are enough to redefine your living space.
Vintage accouterments pair with red and gold accents in the longtime Los Angeles penthouse of Nancy Sinatra, now for sale at $7.55 million.
A Unique Home Office
The demand on home offices has grown by 40% in the last year and that number will keep growing. People want to have a private space where they can properly concentrate and work from home. But this doesn’t mean that the design should be boring. Instead, make it as unique as you can!
Fabric wallpaper gives a unique and sophisticated look to the home office at this $22.75-million apartment at the San Remo building in Manhattan.
Recycle Ideas & Materials
In 2021, many are thinking of ways to make the world a better place. This year upcycling will be a must for every modern household. From recycled glass tiles to simpler solutions like lamps made from wine bottles and mason jar planters, the options are limitless! Plus, many companies now offer high-end products from recycled or vintage materials.
Local and reclaimed materials mix with high-end fixtures and hardware at this Frederick Fisher-designed architectural home in Idaho, priced at $8.9 million.
