With the start of the new year comes our interest in the new home decor trends for 2021. We like to see what’s in and what’s on its way out, according to the masses.
And while I’m not one to live or die by what’s trending for my home, it is fun to see what’s considered fresh and current for the new year.
Home decor trends I’m excited to see this year
I firmly believe that when it comes to decorating your home, you should do you. Meaning, if you love it, regardless of what’s trending in the design world, go with it.
With that being said, as a designer, I always like to stay up with what’s current and trending in my field. It helps me to be a better designer by challenging me to continually hone and tweak the way I approach design. Especially when my goal is to create classic and traditional spaces that are also modern and fresh feeling.
Today I wanted to share with you the home decor trends for 2021 that I am most excited to see more of in the new year. This isn’t a full list, rather trends that speak to my own design aesthetic and style.
When looking at what’s trending, I recommend taking this approach when you’re looking to make updates to your home. Lean in to what you’re drawn to and what feels like a good fit for you, and let the rest go.
Interior home Decor Trends for 2021
01: Wall treatments
Kicking off the list with one of my faves, wall treatments! You all know I’m a fan of wall treatments like mouldings and trim and everyone else seems to be catching on to this home trend as well!
Wall moulding and trim are such a great way to add character and charm to your home. Especially if this is something your home is lacking and you wish it had.
I shared my favorite wall moulding styles and design ideas for adding them to your own home here on the blog. If you’re struggling with where to start, check out this post.
This summer, fluted moulding was super trendy and could be found on everything from furniture and accessories to wall and door applications.
We have used quite a few wall moulding treatments in our home. Currently, we’re working on adding picture moulding to our stairway and upstairs hallway. It’s still in progress but looks SO GOOD!
Another wall treatment that is gaining in popularity is Venetian plaster. Traditional Venetian plaster is lime-based plaster mixed with crushed marble or tiles. This mixture is applied in layers to the walls adding texture, movement, and interest without being rough.
The finish used on the plaster is all determined by the look you’re after. It can be polished for a more traditional look, buffed for a soft matte finish, or even made to look like concrete.
02: Traditional Spaces
A design style close to my heart, I’m really excited to see the design world leaning into traditionalism.
Classic colors and patterns, traditional art and antiques, and symmetry are all hallmarks of this design style.
After a year of uncertainty, I think our desire for stability has us longing for rooms that evoke feelings of order and balance. Making traditionalism the perfect design aesthetic to bring into our homes.
03: Thrift store finds and antiques
With our desire for more traditional cozy spaces, it makes sense that thrift store finds and antiques are a home decor trend for 2021.
We’ve been staying home a lot more, seeking shelter and comfort from the craziness going on in the world. In doing so, we’ve been looking for ways to make our spaces cozy and inviting. Thrift store finds and antiques is one way to achieve this.
Second-hand goods add character and charm to a space. They bring warmth, texture, and history and when layered with newer, modern pieces, create a pleasing and comforting balance in our homes.
In addition to our desire for comfortable and cozy spaces, there’s also a movement towards well-made and sustainable goods. Also driving interest for thrift store finds and antiques.
With the goal to better our environment, people are looking for quality pieces that will stand the test of time rather than fast furniture and home decor that lasts a couple of months or years. Our desire to create authentic spaces that are a reflection of ourselves and our family makes thrift store and antique shopping all that more desirable. This makes big box stores less desirable and allows us to curate a unique space all our own.
04: Wallpaper and Murals
Another home decor trend I’m excited to see more of in 2021 is wallpaper and murals. This design treatment started popping up more and more in the last few years and has been gaining popularity.
While it may have started off as a way to create an accent wall in a room, the trend now is to use it throughout the whole space. Covering all the walls and maybe even the ceiling.
Bold patterns and colors are also very popular right now. Adding wallpaper or a mural is another great way to add character to your home. It’s also an easy way to inject your personality and color or pattern into your space.
I shared the design mood board for our guest bedroom and my plans to make wallpaper the focal point. I can’t wait to see it all come together!
05: Maximalist grandmillennial and Cottagecore
The mantra for the last few years has been “less is more” but this is on the way out when it comes to designing our homes. We are finally in the season of more is more.
Maximalism, grandmillennial, and cottagecore are all terms that have recently been coined to describe this movement. Some may hear these terms and wonder what happened to our obsession with Marie Kondo and our desire to simplify? There’s still the desire to simplify but with the intention of creating curated spaces that truly bring us joy.
More and more there is the desire to make our homes a true reflection of who we are and what we love. Surrounding ourselves with things that evoke happy memories.
Layering collections and curiosities and leaning into what we really love helps us to curate spaces that reflect that and bring us joy.
All 3 of these styles encourage a bold use of patterns and textures in homes. With an emphasis on floral and traditional patterns and elements. All things I LOVE!
06: Natural wood cabinets
In my February edition of What I’m Loving This Month, I shared my love obsession with natural wood cabinetry in kitchens.
As with many home decor trends for 2021, our interest in wood cabinets in the kitchen is linked to our love of all things traditional. I think we’re all feeling a bit nostalgic but these cabinets aren’t your kitchen cabinets from the early 90s.
They’re a fresh updated take with a modern feel. Using raw and natural wood tones that feel more authentic. Unlike the overly harsh stained cabinets of the past.
I love the warmth and texture wood cabinets are bringing to the kitchen right now and can’t wait to see more of this in the design world.
07: Multi-functional homes
We saw this in 2020 with the pandemic and we’ll continue to see it in 2021. We want spaces that are cozy, inviting, and multi-functional to meet our needs.
Last year, home took on a whole new meaning and we asked it to perform in ways we may not have asked of it before. We sought refuge from the outside world and reimagined spaces to max out their potential.
Our homes became our offices, our gyms, our favorite restaurants, and an escape from the outside world when it wasn’t safe to leave.
In 2021 we’ll continue to seek out ways to best utilize the space that we have. Home offices will still be a major focal point as will spaces for deep rest and relaxation.
Last year I shared ways to create a sanctuary at home and this will still be important in 2021. We see this in the colors and textures that are trending.
People are leaning into a more earthy color pallet like pale mushroom, bronzy brown, burnt orange, and mossy green. Rattan and bamboo have been trending for a bit and I’m excited to see more of it in 2021.
08: Closed floor plans
This one may be a bit controversial. After all, we’ve been spending the last decade opening up all our spaces and creating wide open spaces where everyone can be together.
But, if we look at it in the context of what’s going on in the world and our desire to create homes that meet our needs, this makes sense.
A lot of us are still spending a lot of time at home. Together. And that can get a little rough.
In 2021 I see a need for cozier spaces where we can escape for a bit. Whether that be to do some work, read a book, or get a workout in. It’s hard to do these things with a wide-open floor plan. Carving out these nooks and spaces where we can get some alone time will be important for our health.
And, I’m not saying that everyone with an open floor plan will be adding walls, but I do see us finding ways to create these cozier and more intimate moments throughout our homes.
Design Trends for the home
These are the home decor and design trends I’m most excited for in 2021. They feel closest to my design aesthic and how I like to decorate and design our home.
Have you checked out all the design trends for 2021? What are you most excited for?
Leave a Reply