2020 was certainly a bizarre year, in the design world, too. Many projects came to a halt (or slowed massively) due to suppliers shutting down or becoming incredibly backed up because of limited staffing, and many who initially sought help for projects became hesitant because the future felt so uncertain.

The interesting thing is people ended up spending SO much time in their homes, interpreting their spaces in new ways. I suspect 2021 will be a busy year for design projects as we’ve all come to appreciate our homes exponentially more than we used to. That said, here are a few trends I foresee being sought after…

More Dimension

For the last few years an all-white look emerged that captivated the hearts of SO many. Understandably, because the feeling imparted from this design aesthetic is light, bright, airy, simple, calming, serene. However, I believe people will start yearning for more visual interest and dimension that adds greater personality and character. Neutrals will continue to be a beloved style because of the welcomed serenity it provides, but the space will be grounded in more variability and uniqueness than what we’re seeing now.

For example, we’ll start to see kitchens that have one-of-a-kind antique wood islands, living rooms with more vibrant colors sprinkled in and/or more traditional styles of furnishings - think darker woods, fabric tailored with pleats, ruffles, light patterns, and overall more intricacies to the pieces. Gone will be the days of brass accents and white on white on white.

Textured Walls

I believe wallpaper is here to stay for awhile - the breadth of options is too endless for it not to. Many of the styles cater to that serene neutral vibe, while adding texture which is another way to add dimension to an otherwise monochromatic space. The extremely bold, vibrant, patterned wallpaper trend that we’re seeing a lot of now may fade away sooner rather than later, but other options are much more timeless.

When I say textured walls, I mean more than just wallpaper. I mean wood wall paneling (NOT shiplap and not wainscoting), lacquered paint, upholstered wall coverings (think velvet…mmm!), grasscloth (wallpaper), stone & exposed brick, and a textured finishing technique to the drywall or plaster.

Minimalism

I foresee a major shift to “less is more”. We can no longer afford the mental strain felt when experiencing our homes overloaded with things - now that we are surrounded by those things 24/7. A few key pieces, some cozy elements and a visually balanced environment will be at the forefront of most designs, I predict.

Rethinking Open Concept Living

While I think many will continue to strive for/savor an open concept floorpan for their primary living space, I believe more attention will be paid to how the space performs with our newfound needs. For example, suddenly the kitchen island has become the homework zone for kids - does that mean the TV will need to be relocated to another area within the house to enhance quiet?

Ideas such as half-walls and cut-out windows between walls (instead of taking the walls out altogether) may make a comeback. A new balance must be struck - how to create a comfortable space for being together and gathering, while promoting focus and a bit more privacy… a great challenge for designers :) Check out my recent post on The Beauty of Rooms for more on this topic.

Attention to Outdoor Living

Because we have been cooped up inside our homes for so long now, and outdoor spaces seem to be the only reprieve, I foresee a tremendous amount of effort going into creating beautiful, homey, cozy, all-season outdoor living spaces - to allow for socially-distant entertaining.

Think heat lamps, contained fire pits, durable furniture, blankets for chilly nights, beautiful lighting, outdoor kitchen setups, etc. I think this will be a wonderfully fun expansion of one’s home… and a lot can be done with a little space.

A Return to Dining Rooms

I hope & pray! As I’ve advocated for a few posts earlier… My hope is that, even as we transition back to some semblance of normal (tbd when that will be), families will want to retain parts of the incredibly special quality time that was experienced during Covid. Formal dining rooms, I hope, will make a return to many design projects.

Won’t it be interesting to see how this pans out?! I think so!

Until next time,

LG