For many Americans, 2020 changed how we live…and how we think about our living spaces. With the coronavirus pandemic, many people pivoted to working, playing, exercising, and socializing from home, making the way we furnish and decorate our living spaces more important than ever.
In a recent article in Better Homes & Gardens, interior designers weighed in on trends for 2021. As you think about your custom home, how do these ideas resonate with you?
A Nod to Nostalgia. Design styles of the past, including Victorian-era and Art Deco, are making a comeback as people turn to nostalgia for comfort and security. It’s predicted that the old-meets-new trend will emerge through gilded finishes, floral prints, and ornamental details that offer contemporary takes on historic styles.
Easy-to-Clean Fabrics and Surfaces. The pandemic put cleanliness top of mind, and designers predict easy-to-clean materials will rise in popularity. This could mean non-porous materials such as glass and metal, which are less susceptible to bacteria growth and offer no-fuss cleaning. On upholstery, rugs, and other soft surfaces, performance fabrics specially designed to resist stains and stand up well to daily wear will likely rise in popularity.
Warm, Earthy Colors. Expect shades to warm up in 2021 as we look for comfort and coziness. Look for warm neutrals and rich earth tones, while deep, neutral-like colors including olive green and burnt orange will continue in popularity. Look to paint and fabric that have yellow or red undertones for a homey, inviting effect.
Calming Blues. On the opposite end of the color spectrum, soft shades of blue have a calming effect that experts predict homeowners will crave. Etsy, the online marketplace, saw a 39% spike in searches for light blue items over the past three months, compared to the same period last year. Because soft powder blues remind us of the sky and water, they help foster a soothing atmosphere inside homes.
Natural Materials. We’re seeing a renewed interest in rattan furniture and cane webbing over the past year. Natural materials such as light-toned wood, jute, leather, ceramic, and live plants are expected to continue.
Closed Floor Plans. In 2020, many families had to learn how to co-exist under the same roof from morning until night. As a result, the appeal of open floor plans, where each room flows seamlessly into the next, may diminish. Carving out a designated space for different activities, such as remote work or homeschooling, will allow for more privacy.
Sustainable Furnishings. An increased focus on sustainability is a broader trend that impacts many aspects of our daily lives, including how we furnish our homes. We’re seeing a shift with shoppers increasingly turning away from big-box store furniture in favor of high-quality pieces that are friendlier on the environment.
Have some ideas of your own? Let’s talk about it!
Your Friends at Crystal Creek Builders
