2021 Trend Forecast
With the new year right around the corner, and a great many 2020 round-ups happening, I can’t help but look to the future.
I typically do not endorse jumping into the deep end with trends. I remember a colleague of mine saying about chevron, “Well, now the print is on dish soap containers and officially over” - and she was right. Home decor trends have a way of really taking over the whole scene because prints can be adapted to so many different products. My advice is usually to invest in timeless classics and sprinkle in trendier items in low-cost ways, like a throw pillow or hand towel.
The trends below are more experience-based and not print-based, and they’re ones that I think will have lasting power because of the pandemic. Take a read below and let me know what you think.
Comfy + Cozy
With so much time spent at home, I think that we are all realizing that it’s a place that needs to feel good… and “good” this year means comfortable, cozy, and relaxed. We all likely went through the phase of quarantine where we were one with our sofas (guilty!), but that’s not what I mean by comfortable. I mean that it should be a space where you can be casual, have an uncluttered mind, and really enjoy the time that you’re spending at home.
I find that the best way to achieve a “comfy + cozy” vibe is through texture. Bring in some rugs that provide a plush feeling underfoot, throw blankets that are as beautiful as they are warm, and pillows that provide visual interest and lumbar support ;) You an also include materials like rattan, tambour, or antique wood pieces to bring some texture in. The visual interest will make your home feel less sparse, less like a showroom, and more like a home.
Design by Pete and Selena
Design by House Seven Design
Global Influence
With 2020 nearly in the rearview mirror, and the vast majority of us having stayed home (not just in our home country, but also literally at home), I think it’s safe to say that we are all craving an escape.
Incorporating items in your home that remind you of past vacations, and perhaps have you looking forward to future ones, is going to be big this year. The idea of Global Influence might have you picturing a complete overhaul that leaves your home looking like a Moroccan riad… and while that would be stunning, it is probably not practical. To me, Global Influence means infusing your home with little moments of beauty from the places you love. For instance, I am going to be tackling a painting this month based on a photograph I took while driving along the coast through Oregon and California - I know that whenever I look at that painting (fingers crossed it turns out!) I’ll be transported back to that amazing day that led me to the Redwood Forest. Here are a couple of ideas for how you can achieve the same feeling:
Design by Amber Lewis
Design by Jillian Guyette
Print and Frame Photos
Having photos professionally printed and framed makes a HUGE difference and, in my opinion, is absolutely worth the investment. If that’s a little bit out of your price range though, grab some frames from IKEA or Michaels, a nice mat, and take your time with putting it all together.
Not thrilled with any of your own photographs? This could be a great opportunity to support an artist - your area likely has an art centre that you can research, but Etsy is always a great option, too!
Unique Art or Furniture
This one comes with some homework, but if you love or find intrigue in a particular part of the world, find a way to incorporate something from that area into your home. I’ve never been to Mali, but I have a little stool from there that I just love. I’m also always on the hunt for an old wooden dough bowl - they are so stunning and provide so much texture and warmth to a space.
The homework is actually finding these items, which can be tough and a years-long experience (see: dough bowl). I find the hunt pretty fun, though, and can suggest online estate sales as a great resource, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace - these are my “go-tos” for finding the weird and wonderful!
Greenery
It’s no secret that the design world loves an indoor plant, and this trend is going to continue. Bringing plants into your home brings life into your home, and the feeling it brings can’t really be replicated another way. While a large-scale potted tree (like olive or lemon) is likely the most impactful, so too can be smaller potted plants in greater quantities. A word of warning, though - too many plants and you’ll find yourself living in a jungle - it is all about balance!
Don’t have a green thumb? Try using clippings from your garden that you let stand in water, or even dried grasses in a vase can be beautiful. Not quite the same impact, but you’re on the right path!
Design by Sarah Solis
Design by Tessa Neustadt
Closed Floor Plans
This is less of a decor prediction as it is a new-build, big-reno prediction. With a year of living in close quarters with our families, I think we’ll see a shift away from open floor plans and begin favouring closed floor plans. Dedicated rooms give us the privacy (and, let’s face it, escape!) that we sometimes need. Closed floor plans also allow for multiple activities to be happening simultaneously - think “work” and “virtual learning”.
In my current home, we have two large pocket doors that can separate our living and dining rooms, which is a heritage feature, but one that we might see revived. Allowing our spaces to transform to meet our needs is huge, and a concept that I think will start popping up in new-builds.
Design by MStarr Design
Design by Devol Kitchens
Outdoor Living
We already saw in the summer of 2020 a huge shift to outdoor living, and I can only expect that it will continue. I have always loved entertaining, and having an outdoor space is so important to me, and I think that now we’re all on that same page... whether we want to be or not! It’s become a part of the way we socialize.
I predict that we’ll see more heating devices installed in outdoor renovations, whether in-ground heating to clear a snowy patio, or overhead heating to provide warmth and extend the season.
Unknown Source
Unknown Source
All in all, I am looking forward to 2021 and feeling optimistic. I don’t think we’re going to have the freedom that we’re all craving, but we are taking steps in the right direction and will get there eventually. In the meantime, let’s enjoy and make the most of what we do have.
Cheers, and Happy New Year!