2021 Interior Trends
Today we’re sharing our top ten trends in the interior design world. Saying goodbye to 2020 wasn’t too difficult for us and we are diving into a new year with big vision. So we’re looking back on trends and interpreting those forward to this year. We may be painting with some broad strokes here, showing some trends that have taken a few years to bubble up to the surface and some we think will last for many years to come. The past often inspires design, and there are plenty of trends that we see being revived in new ways and a sprinkling of some clever new things. There’s so much to love, so let’s dive in!
Heritage Aesthetic
One of the biggest changes we’ve seen in the design world is a move towards a heritage feel. Don’t think 2010s rustic or your mom’s antiques– its a more refined, elevated look with some age and texture. Its mixing clean design with curated antiques and textural elements, and we’re seeing it both in the modern design and traditional design world. More solids, muted colors, and simple patterns, creating an understated look. We think this will stick around for a while as it moves into mainstream with big names like Studio McGee, Magnolia, Leann Ford, and Amber Interiors.
Design: Amber Interiors
Design: Landed Interiors
Wabi-Sabi Finishes
Along with the move towards a heritage feel, we’ve seen a few small elements that are popping up everywhere that go a long way in creating this vibe. They’re fueled by the growing love for a Wabi-Sabi lifestyle– the idea of appreciating imperfections and embracing the beauty of patina, wear, cracks, and irregularity. Its given way to things like:
- Raw and patinaed materials- concrete, stucco, plaster, limewash, handmade tile, butcher block, corten steel, leather, natural stone, jute, linen, caning, painted brick, and more.
- Mixing woods, adding in darker tones, and incorporating more character and less polish in the finish. Popping up in kitchens, trim, furniture.
- Using natural finishes as the neutral base to create lots of texture – wood, leather, rattan, wool, grasscloth, sherpa, wovens, etc.
- Leaning more into creams and greiges instead of crisp whites and greys.
Design: Amber Interiors
Design: Marie Laure Helmkampf
Design: Anthology Creative Studio
Design: Jenny Komenda
Design: Studio Ezra
Design: Workstead
Bold Color
We’re seeing big moves in the color world. We think color is making its way back on to walls and furniture, and not just as accents as they have been for a while. Palettes are getting bolder, more punch and more mood. We’re giving less attention to the beloved “resale value” and more attention to how we want to live now. We’ve also seen a shift towards “more is more” in color, seeing tone-on-tone used to make a whole room envelope you in a single color. Another way we’re seeing color punch its way in to spaces is via trim and moldings. One of those is contrast trim–painting trim to contrast the walls, but not in your traditional white. Another is painting the walls and the trim all one color, creating a fluid look. We’re loving the bold statement this can make!
Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Design: Rebecca Gibbs Design
Design: Caroline Rafferty
Design: Rebecca Gibbs Design
Design: Melanie Olson Design Group
Design: And Then They Went Wild
Granny Chic
In the traditional design world, there’s a fun wave of #grandmillenial going around. Think embroidery, chinoiserie, English armed sofas and busyness like the Victorian era. Also think bold color, pattern on pattern, and all the old world frills. The emphasis is on detail here, and lots of it.
Design: Clary Bosbyshell
Design: Ellen Kavanaugh
Design: Lilse McKenna
Design: Lilse McKenna
Design: Mark D. Sikes
Scale
We are also seeing an uptick in playing with scale in lighting. Instead of a multitude of pendants or thin corded lighting, we are seeing large fixtures pop up that demand attention in a space. It’s a simple way to make a statement in a room without adding a lot of detail.
Design: Cortney Bishop Design
Design: Whittney Parkinson
Architectural Detail
We’ve noticed a growing attention to architectural detail and quality finishes, which manifests in a number of beautiful ways. We’re seeing this character built into homes instead of relying on décor for that extra oomph. We’re talking custom shelving with interesting shapes and lines, swooping arches, vent hood nooks, mudroom drop zones, and craftsman-built wardrobes and vanities. This same impulse has created an explosion of built-in headboards and custom bunk rooms. And in it’s most minimal form, given way to beautiful custom doors, millwork, trim, and finishes.
Design: Amber Interiors
Design: Whittney Parkinson
Design: Estudio Reciente
Design: Red Deer
Design: Whittney Parkinson
Design: Cortney Bishop Design
Design: And And And Studio & Studio Lifestyle
Design: Jean Stoffer Design
Ceiling Statements
What was once a very ignored surface in design is finally getting the attention it deserves. After all, it is a huge canvas, is it not?! We’re seeing this in a ton of creative ways– beams, paneling, paint, wallpaper, even tile! Scroll back through the images in this post and you’ll see a ton of this going on.
Design: Amber Interiors
Design: Adam Lippes
Design: Hommeboys
Design: Jeremiah Brent
Source
Design: K Studio
Hand-Crafted
There’s been a surge in everything “hand-drawn” or “hand-painted” and “handmade”, but don’t think DIY when you hear that. Think artisan-made, craftsman-built, and original and commissioned art. We’re seeing this organic-looking trend in lots of textiles, wall treatments, furnishings, and art.
Hein Studio
Wallshoppe
Wall Treatments
Interesting wall treatments are ramping up across modern and traditional design and we are loving the depth and interest these can bring to a space. We are seeing traditional millwork return en force and with creativity. We’re past shiplap now– millwork like board and batten, tongue and groove, vertical paneling, and box moldings are popping up everywhere! Modern interpretations like slats, inlaid wood designs, and reeded textures are making waves as well. And of course we are seeing simple finishes ramped up to 100– wallpaper is bolder, paint is more architectural, and murals are returning to walls.
Design: Jeremiah Brent & Nate Berkus
Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Design: Muskoka Living
Design: Room For Tuesday
Design: Studio Mcgee
Design: D3
Curves Everywhere
Curves have been a presence in design for the last few years and we’re seeing them change and morph from stately forms to eclectic vibes and everywhere in between. Arches are still very big in both traditional and modern design, and curved sculptural accessories and art are now prolific across styles. More and more furnishings feature curved elements, making pieces feel sculptural and artistic. We’re even seeing architectural features on walls, kitchen islands, and built-in furniture that feature curving shapes.
Design: Three Birds Renovations
Design: Bells & Whistles
Via Pufik Homes
Design: And And And Studio & Studio Lifestyle
Design: Sella Concept
So there you have it–some really bold new trends, some really muted and natural directions, and of course, old styles being revived in new ways. While we love timeless design that doesn’t betray the decade in which it was designed, we know design progress comes from experimentation, and little by little we get to see better design solutions emerge from trend innovation. We hope we get to design spaces that outlive trends but that bring all the freshness and cleverness that those trends deliver. Here’s to living in the balance!
Thanks for tuning in,
