This past year, we transformed our kitchens into classrooms, set up offices in any available nook and cranny, and installed fitness equipment in bedrooms as the pandemic changed the way we work, study and exercise. On the plus side, we also had more time to spend with family and to garden and renovate. With so much time at home, people understandably wish to create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and relaxing, all of which are reflected in the decorating trends for 2021:
Natural Elements
Welcome the serenity of nature into your home with wood, textiles, stone, and shell. For example, light fixtures and other accessories made with driftwood and rope are popular this year.
Wall treatments
Brick, wood, stone and wallpaper add interest to walls. Even white can be interesting; interior designer Tiffany Leigh suggests adding texture elements such as vertical shiplap or plaster finishes (Vancouver Sun 2021).
Brave New Colours
Each year, paint manufacturers and the Pantone Color Institute announce their colours of the year. For 2021, there are many trendy choices:
- Dulux suggests three colours: Transcend, a calming, modern oatmeal hue, Big Cypress, a shaded ginger hue with persimmon undertones, and Misty Aqua, a cerulean blue.
- Benjamin Moore’s Century Darjeeling is a dark gray with plum undertones that is bold and moody. It works well next to silver, gold or white artwork, furniture and accessories.
- The Pantone Color Institute presented two colours: Ultimate Gray, which is a cool, medium gray (think pebbles on a beach), and Illuminating, an intense lemon yellow. Although you likely will not want to paint your walls in these colours, lemon yellow accessories can liven up gray furniture, floors and walls.
- Karl Lohnes, who has 25 years of experience as a product designer and home decor expert, suggests pale greige and beige as a way to phase out the darker grays that were popular for several years. For example, pale greige and beige walls would look nice with an existing gray couch while allowing you to modernize with accessories in warmer shades of caramel brown (Montreal Gazette 2021).
Luxurious touches
Create luxurious, one-of-a-kind touches with handmade details. Karl Lohnes suggests adding stitching on pillows, trims and piping on upholstered goods, and faux finishes. For example, stitch metallic beads to the edge of a velvet pillow, paint an old lamp base an on-trend colour, or wallpaper the inside of a china cabinet (Montreal Gazette 2021).
Multipurpose
A custom closet with desk space? Why not? It’s cozy and private when space is at a premium. A multipurpose approach maximizes your square footage. For example, in a rarely used guestroom, choose a sofa bed or murphy bed that can be tucked away so that the room can be used for hobbies, studying, etc. The space under stairways can accommodate funky storage shelves or discrete closets. When buying furniture, select dual-purpose items such as an ottoman with storage.
Old Treasures Add Character
Dig out the family heirlooms from storage or visit secondhand stores for unique items. It might be a quilt that your grandmother made, a vase you received as a wedding gift, or an antique photograph. Whatever you find beautiful, put it on display and don’t worry about whether it matches your décor—that is part of the charm.
Indoor plants
Plants provide a calming connection to nature as they freshen and humidify indoor air. Gerbera, pansy and violet are beautiful flowers that grow well indoors. Edible plants such as basil, rosemary, cilantro and parsley thrive in windowsills that receive at least a few hours of direct sunshine each day.
Outdoor kitchens
If you have the space and budget for an outdoor kitchen, you will be the envy of the neighbourhood. An outdoor kitchen may include a grill, a small refrigerator, a sink, countertop and cabinets, and possibly a pizza oven.
Soundproofing
While spending time with loved ones has many rewards, it can also be challenging to deal with the cacophony of noise from televisions, computers, children, dogs, neighbours and traffic. Create a quieter space by adding batting and soundboard to the walls and ceiling.
Sources:
Vancouver Sun. 2021. “The Home Front: Home décor trends for the year ahead.” https://vancouversun.com/homes/decorating/the-home-front-home-decor-trends-for-the-year-ahead-2.
Montreal Gazette. 2021. “Karl Lohnes: Your style guide to home decor trends in 2021.” https://montrealgazette.com/life/homes/karl-lohnes-your-style-guide-to-home-decor-trends-in-2021.
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