Photo by Houzz

As the saying goes, a person’s home is their castle, but in 2020 it was also an office, school, gym, kids’ park, entertainment center, and more. Homes had to work harder for how people needed to live during this unprecedented year, and many took this extra time at home to honestly reflect on what works and what doesn’t. Lifestyle shifts drive design change, and more people continue to look for ways to make their home a place of peaceful refuge and comfort while meeting the evolving needs of everyone in their households.

Home design and decor trends will continue to adjust to these new ways of living in 2021. We’re revisiting what was popular in home design in 2020 and looking ahead to what’s going to be hot in 2021. We scoured trend predictions from some of the industry’s top designers for patterns, commonalities, and shared themes for ideas to try in your own home in the new year. 

What Was Hot in 2020

Whether or not these trends are on the way out in 2020 (home offices are undoubtedly here to stay for the foreseeable future), there’s been a discernible shift in home design and decor to style that is cozy, comfortable, and multi-functional. 

1. Updated home office
2. Layered gray color palette
3. Subway tile
4. Re-investment in outdoor living spaces
5. All-white kitchens
6. Farmhouse style

Home Design Trends for 2021

Evolution of WFH Style

Photo by Bigger Than the Three of Us

The home office is sticking around for a long while, but ideas about what working from home looks like will shift and change. A private office with a closed door is important for focus, productivity, and endless Zoom meetings, but families will be getting more creative about work-from-home setups so everyone has a comfortable place for their laptops. Pocket offices are coming back in new homes, and the small kitchen desk is also on the rise again. Study nooks, built-ins that offer desk space, and lofts or bonus rooms create dedicated work areas that blend easily into a home’s existing decor. 

More Color

Photo by Vintage Revivals

Is the stark Instagram white living room dead? Not exactly, but expect creamier whites and pops of color to soften the edges. People need their homes to be peaceful places that feel safe and secure, and they also want them to reflect their unique personalities. Warm earth tones are becoming more popular, which Sherwin-Williams recently captured in its 2021 color of the year, Urbane Bronze. Hues of terra cotta, rose, brick, and sunburnt orange are making their way into more living spaces next year, and there is also a movement toward bold and bright colors like sunshine yellow, pink, and emerald green.

Photo by Sherwin Williams 

Biophillic Design

Photo by Hymns & Verses

Bringing the outdoors in is nothing new, but the increased use of flora and fauna throughout the home is something that will continue well into 2021. People want to make a deeper and more meaningful connection to nature, and there are lots of ways to incorporate natural and organic themes in a home’s interior. Botanical and animal artwork, prints, and embellishments, and swapping faux plants for the real thing are low-cost and low-commitment ways to add nature-inspired design. On the structural side, floor-to-ceiling windows and large bi-fold doors flood interiors with natural light and allow for an easy transition from indoors to outdoors.

Flexible Floorplans

Open-concept layouts keep families connected and make living spaces appear larger, but can be challenging when each person needs their own area for work or study. While open-concept designs will probably retain their popularity, we’ll see families get innovative about creating private spaces for each member of the family, from transforming a loft into a study room and adding temporary and decorative room partitions, to multi-functional furniture in common areas. 

Photo by Authentic Custom Homes 

Color in the Kitchen

Photo by Authentic Custom Homes

All-white kitchens are timeless and here to stay, but families spending more time at home want to show some off some personality. Two-toned or brightly colored cabinets, painted walls, textural elements, and vibrant rugs are up and coming. And while subway tile isn’t going away completely, there’s going to be a movement toward patterns, prints, and more decorative motifs in backsplash design. 

Sustainable Furnishings

Photo by Serena & Lily

As more people become aware that earth’s resources are finite, there’s been more interest in responsible consumption and products that are sourced from recycled or renewable materials. The resurgence of cane, rattan, and bamboo furnishings is a nod to 70s design that’s been reinterpreted for the 21st century. They’re warm and earthy, and add refreshingly modern look. And because the plant sources grow quickly, they are renewable materials that are better for the planet. 

What trends are you most excited for? What classic touches are you adding to your spaces? Tag us in your Authentic Custom Home decorating adventures! We love seeing our houses turned into your homes!