The upheaval of the past two years has impacted and changed the way we live in our homes (along with everything else). apartment in Paris. Today, a lot of our lives have been folded into our homes. With the date back to the office pushed back (and the promise of actually returning to search less likely), spare bedrooms that may have once been guest residences have now become home offices. And with more home entertainment, the kitchen is truly the focal point of our space. So it’s no surprise that 2021’s biggest decorating trends are influenced by these changes to the way we live today.
I reached out to some of our favorite interior designers and decorators to reflect on the biggest trends of the year. Read on for more insights and advice from some of the best in the business. Nicole Fisher, Leia T. Ward, Megan Wright, Sarah Stacey, Samantha Stathis, Lauren Meichtry, Hilary Matt, Kate Lester, Anastasia Casey, Shawna Percival, and Christine Turknett All shared their thoughts on what trends defined the past year and how we can bring them to our homes in 2022.
featured image of michelle nash
Aesthetic archway
“The archway trend is taking over every space—bathroom included. The archway designs add a sense of character and architectural interest. ” – Anastasia Casey
Japanese style
“This style has been on the rise ever since boho lovers and naturalists around the world have turned their taste buds into something a little more upscale. Japandi is more about curated styles and cultures as it incorporates both Scandinavian and modern Japanese design styles. People are drawn to this style because of the perfect combination of minimalist design with a focus on warmth, natural elements and earthy color palette to balance everything. “- Megan Wright
Oversized art
“Large scale art is back in a big way (pun intended!). We see a desire for large-scale art on large gallery walls. We love using Juniper Prints which is always great and affordable for this application, as it brings large-scale artwork to so many homeowners. ” – Shawna Percival
What’s old is new
“With mass shipping delays and increased raw material prices we’ve seen late in the year, vintage pieces have become even more desirable. I’ve seen some beautiful vintage pieces revived with new upholstery and a little redecoration. Nothing like a global pandemic forces us to get even more creative.” – Lauren Meichtry
Blue rainbow
“In 2021, I notice a lot of different shades of blue. Some customers have opted for navy blue options while they usually opt for a neutral option like gray or cream. I found myself using blue tones with more shades of blue, which I found to be a refreshing change. ” – Kate Lester
Open concept
“In 2021, we have seen many homes move away from the once popular idea of the open-everything concept. Now that homes have become places where many families live, work and play, the need for separation is clear. ” – Anastasia Casey
Natural elements
“There is an attraction to naturally manufactured and finished products, especially rattan, caning and textiles which are more heavily woven items. Likewise, I’ve also seen greater use of light and naturally colored woods, eliminating patches of darker colors. ” – Kate Lester
Boucle A lot of
“It made its debut in the 1940s when Knoll started using it in his seats to create a more comfortable look and feel. Since then, the bouclé has always existed. It started trending in 2019 and is still going strong with no signs of slowing down. You can find many major retailers offering bouclé in their assortment and pretty much any designer uses it because of the texture it creates in a space. “- Megan Wright
Health care area
“I have been receiving more and more requests for meditation and yoga space as more and more people work from home. Work-life balance takes on new meaning and creating a space that is as sacred as home can make all the difference in someone’s happiness. ” – Christine Turknett
Hues on Mute
“With everyone more or less trapped in their homes, 2021 is another year filled with colors, organic shapes and natural materials like white oak and pine, natural stone with plenty of textures and textures like linen and terracotta.” – Samantha StathiS
Elegant Tradition
“We’ve seen a lot of traditional British style – a little nod to the farmhouse but overall simpler and more elegant, less thematic and literal. Small elements here and there give a more classic overall look. The great thing about traditional English is that it can be interpreted throughout an entire room or accessories equally. This means you can dial up or redial based on your particular style. ” – Sarah Stacey
Kitchen island is back
“We have seen customers request creative kitchen island ideas over the last year and one of our favorites is the integrated butcher block. This makes the workspace both beautiful and functional, perfect for a large charcuterie spread! ” – Shawna Percival
Switch to module
“We love low profile, modern and modular products. Whether they are pushed together like a sofa, made as a part, or separated into accent chairs, they are always present in our projects. ” – Leia T Ward.
A Nod to Nordic
“The year 2021 sees an increasing presence of Nordic furniture. As distribution increases, more retailers are selling Scandinavian furniture and accessories, while making Nordic design more accessible to the masses. The aesthetic’s simple design features and functionality can be combined with so many other styles. ” – Christine Turknett
Dual mission
“Over the past year, many of our homes have taken on the roles of work space, school space, recreation space and play space. We are seeing a dramatic increase in multipurpose spaces. As more people work from home in the near future, functional workspaces are popping up in every nook and cranny. Along those same lines, we’re seeing more home-school spaces better designed for virtual learning and/or homework. ” – Anastasia Casey
Front curve
“Curvature is making a statement for both the interior and the exterior. Several versions of this include: arched doorways, round mills, and curved furniture. It especially stands out in a modern space by softening the clean lines you would normally expect to see. ” – Christine Turknett
Flex-Space Living
“The year 2021 is filled with flexible living spaces. The integration of Samsung frame TV is a game changer for our customers. We’ve added them everywhere from the office, the playroom to the main living room. We are delighted to have a beautiful alternative to the giant black box TV! ” – Shawna Percival
Cycling on social networks
“Social media plays a big role in defining design trends. I think it makes trends come and go faster because you have them right at your fingertips. At the same time, people also get sick of trends faster because they see them more on social media.” – Hilary Matt
Maximalism still exists
“Layered textures, patterns and colors are everywhere. Cozy, inhabited rooms are especially important for customers who are spending all their time at home. Every open space has a chance to be a special moment.” – Nicole Fisher
