In the 90s it was all pastels and brass accents, then in the early 2000s we got a bit country with farmhouse-style barn doors and shabby chic furniture, which was followed by the 2010s minimalistic all neutral-everything phase – so where does that bring us in 2021?
While interior design will always be a subjective form of self expression, there’s no denying a good trend. Here are our favorites of the year:
Playful Maximalism Color
The sharp shift from neutrals, beiges and “all-white-everything” homes of the past to the funky, colorful decor of today may give some whiplash. But we can’t help ourselves from being drawn to the free-spirited combination of colorful prints, patterns, and pops of color.
For interior inspiration checkout Dina Bandman Interiors (@dinabandmaninteriors), De Gourdnay (@degournay), The House that Colour Built (@thehousethatcolourbuilt) and Joanna Plant (@joannaplantinteriors) on Instagram. You’ll notice a variety of themes from floral patterned curtains paired with floral patterned wallpaper, bedrooms with teal walls, ceilings and blue tiled floors, and brightly colored vintage furniture. This maximist look is fun because it can go in a few different directions – English countryside, American cottage, 1960s funkytown, or sweet and preppy.
To bring a bit of this trend into your own home, we recommend starting small like mixing and matching a few boldly patterned throw pillows, trying out some new patterned curtains or getting really into it with a temporary wallpaper in a small room in your home, like the bathroom. Play with colors and make this bold trend work for you and your home.
Flutes & Sculptural Design:
This trend is modern, European and highly sophisticated. Themes that fall into this trend include moody, monochromatic spaces, fluted vessels, organically textured sculptures, and curvy furniture.
For interior inspiration checkout Ashley Kane (@ashleykane), Liv Fraser (@oliviagroome) and Alice Lane Interior Design (@alicelaneinteriors) all of which are fantastic sources when it comes to mastering this highly-curated look. When scouring these accounts for inspiration, you’ll notice some common themes – like mid-century-style furniture, rooms with all four walls and the ceiling painted in a single moody color, ribbed Italian glass light fixtures and chandeliers, vintage accents, and Boucle fabric. As with all trends, we recommend incorporating a few pieces at a time before overhauling every room in the house.
A few ways you can bring this sophisticated design trend into your own home is by painting a bedroom – floor to ceiling in one color such as Country Charm’ by Kelly Moore. You can go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and have them match this color with the paint of your choosing. You can also incorporate a few pieces of furniture – such as a Boucle-like fabric chair like this one from World Market. Or you can opt for a few crystal vessels, some fluted wall sconces, sculpted candle holders or an alabaster lamp.
Coastal Calm & Preppy
It’s hard to call any design resembling that of “coastal” to a trend. This look is as old as the ocean itself – it’s classic, serene and universally loved. But we feel compelled to include it because while the overall look is timeless – the take on the theme keeps getting better and better.
Some of our favorite coastal inspiration comes from Serena & Lily (@serenaandlily), Shelley Johnstone Paschke (@shelleyjohnstonedesign), Gretchen Black (@gretchenblack), and The Traditional List (@thetraditionallist). These accounts are filled with charming pops of coastal color, seagrass and sisal, elegant paisley and floral patterns, thoughtfully mixed matched designs and subtle antique accents.
In many cases, an elegant coastal home weaves traditional elements with coastal colors and texture to achieve an elevated design. Say goodbye to kitsch seashell lamps and “this way to the beach” signs – it’s all about evoking a sense of the coast in your home – not bringing home the boardwalk gift shop. To invoke a bit of the preppy coastal vibes seen in the accounts above into your own home – we recommend wallpapering a bedroom with a pretty paisley pattern, or painting an existing piece of furniture a shade of periwinkle or blue. Another way to bring a bit of the coastal vibe inside is by using rattan textured accents like a rattan plant pot, a sisal rug, or a woven lampshade or chair.
After a challenging and at times, let’s face it, gloomy 2020 – we could all use a little bit of fun. And what better way to add a bit of fun than by adding pops of bright funky colors, patterns and organic textures into your home? We’re loving the direction this year is taking in design and can’t wait to see how you incorporate these trends into your own homes. Happy decorating!
