15+ Inspiring Home Decor Trends You'll Be Tempted to Try in 2021
Earthy color palettes, multipurpose rooms, and more.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted many industries, and the home space is no exception. As many people spent more time indoors throughout 2020, not only were they craving more comfort — they were also forced to reimagine their spaces to meet the demands of their new lifestyle. Whether that called for creating a functional home office, designing a living room for Zoom and remote learning, or pinpointing a smart pantry organizing solution, just about every area of a home likely required a refresh.
With this in mind, we couldn't help but to check in with a selection of top design experts to find out the top home decor trends for 2021. If you're a design buff, keep clicking to learn what can be expected from the world of design, including chic paint colors, durable fabrics, indoor plants, smart lighting, and more.
Livable Luxury
“I think 2021 is going to be all about livable luxury, and versatility in design. So many people have had to transition over the past year, that they are rethinking less-used spaces and embracing furniture concepts that play double duty. Next year will be all about durable fabrics, comfortable upholstery, and furniture pieces that are versatile and chic.” — Kate Lester
Pantone 2021 Color of the Year: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
“The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to symbolize thoughts and ideas, many designers and brands are embracing the language of color to engage and connect.” — Pantone Color Institute's Laurie Pressman
Indoor Plants
“Indoor trees and plants are going to continue their ascent into home design mainstay. They freshen indoor air, bring the clarity and calm of nature indoors, act like sculpture on a shelf or table top, and caring for them is grounding and life affirming. Developing a collection of interior plants wins on all levels: Aesthetic, functional and mental.” — Emilie Munroe
Dark Hues
“Dark is where it is at! My color for 2021 is Benjamin Moore Century Darjeeling. I recently had the opportunity to use this expressive color in a guest bedroom for a private residence in Princeton, New Jersey. This color did not disappoint, being the perfect backdrop for the headboard and artwork. It takes your breath away.” — Gail Davis
Knotted Light Fixtures
“We’ve always believed a statement light fixture can tie any space together, and one trend we’ve loved lately is light fixtures using braided and knotted textiles. We designed a whole space around a handblown glass light from Longhouse with knotted rope by artist Windy Chien. They are the perfect addition to a neutral space, because they offer plenty of natural, organic texture and visual interest while staying within a neutral palette. They offer a hint of coastal aesthetic — which many of our clients are asking for—without feeling overly nautical.” — Andrea Goldman
Bidets
“Believe it or not, bidets will be popular. The toilet paper gate of 2020 scared us all, and lately my design firm has been getting a couple of inquiries about our thoughts on bidets.” — Tiffany Leigh
Decorative Smart Lighting
“As we head into the new year, people will look for ways to make their home a comfortable and functional living space. For instance, swapping out regular incandescent bulbs for smart lighting options allow you to set schedules and create an ambience to fit your needs – whether that’s Zoom school, cooking prep for a family gathering, or just relaxing in the living room.” — Breegan Jane
Durable Fabrics
“Fabrics that are durable, wear well, and can be washed multiple times (linens and slipcovers, for instance) will be more important as we spend more time at home for work and learning.” — Holly Waterfield
Diamond Patterned Flooring
“All of a sudden, I am seeing large-scale diamond patterned flooring. My favorite (and seemingly most popular version) is when the diamonds are painted onto wood flooring. I know it sounds a little wild, but it feels rustic yet refined and is still in the vein of the eclectic English granny trend (as we like to call it) that exploded this year. I personally love it when the diamonds are blue or white, which, if you know me, is no shock at all.” — Emily Henderson
Geometric Shapes
“One thing is for sure: postmodern and 1980s Memphis-inspired pieces are here to stay! We’re wild for hard edge geometry that adds dramatic tension to a space.” — Chairish's Anna Brockway
Blush
“Millennials may have named the color, but for this designer, blush tones are now considered a neutral. I expect to see more of this in 2021 in spaces that used to be reserved for white paint only.” — Lori Paranjape
Plaid Fabrics
“As people continue to stay at home, plaid and printed fabrics from the last century evoke a sense of comfort and happier times.” — Mark Lavender
Edible Gardens
“As people continue spend more time at home, edible plants will continue to grow in popularity in 2021. Having your own freshly grown indoor herbs and vegetable plants is ideal for creating dishes and beverages since you have the necessary ingredients at your fingertips. There are a variety of sizes, perfect for a kitchen or a sunny window.” — Bloomscape's Plant Mom, Joyce Mast
Multipurpose Spaces
“We all made our living spaces work for us last year, and many of our rooms served multiple purposes. We added workspaces to our living rooms, classrooms into our kitchens, and gyms to our bedrooms. This year, people will be finding ways to reimagine their homes and incorporate pieces that help restore balance to our multi-functional spaces.” — Etsy's Dayna Isom Johnson
Earthy Palettes and Textures
“We'll see lots of earthy palettes and textures in 2021. Think the continuation of plaster and travertines, lots of rattan, camels in lieu of gray, and deep, neutralized hues like olive green and burnt orange.” – Gillian Segal
Old-World Influences
“I believe design should be timeless! So what is 'in' is that old-world aesthetic that never gets old. Darker, moodier rooms, old oil paintings mixed with a modern light fixture to the tune of not being able to place what era the room is from — that's how to achieve timeless-ness; mix and match eras!” — Joyce Downing Pickens
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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