SAY HELLO TO 2021 TRENDS
Saturated earth tones and plush fabrics are set to take spotlight in home decor
After almost a year of spending the majority of my time at home, I'm ready for some changes in 2021. The new year, although still a couple of months away, will bring new decorating opportunities, and now's the time to plan out what changes you want to prioritize to make your home look fabulous and function better for how you use it now.
Ready for a new look?
Nothing can freshen your space faster than incorporating a few new trends. So, if you're like me and ready to say goodbye to 2020, then say hello to these three big 2021 trends.
INDUSTRIAL SURFACES
To add a sense of earthy comfort, look for rustic and natural finishes for surfaces like bathroom shower walls, kitchen counters and fireplace mantels. Quartz surface manufacturer Silestone has just launched the Loft Collection, with five new colours inspired by industrial design and features found in raw loft interiors.
A fave of mine is Seaport; a dark, worn cement look. It would be a chic way to add a casual, industrial vibe to a modern farmhouse kitchen. Or you could clad a fireplace wall with it for a touch of industrial chic in a modern condo. While real concrete tends to require a lot of maintenance (and can crack over time), a solid quartz surface is virtually maintenance free and ultra durable.
As colour trends warm up, also look for warm copper/rust finishes for hardware, faucets and light fixtures, and wood accents like ceiling beams and natural wood interior doors. It's all about adding a warm, industrial touch to the interior spaces for 2021.
EARTHY NEUTRALS
Look for deep, saturated earth tones (yes, goodbye cool grey colours) to add visual comfort to the walls or upholstering furniture. Sherwin Williams recently announced its 2021 colour of the year as Urbane Bronze — a dark, cool brown that transitions all the those grey furnishings and accessories you had, grey colours of paint, fabrics and furnishings you've been decorating with the last 10 years. (If you have been hitting on the latest trend of dark blue for furnishings and accessories, this new cool brown will complement nicely.)
MATERIAL CHOICES
Leather and plush fabrics like bouclé and velvet are the trends for furniture upholstery in 2021. Similar to 1970s styles, heavy velvet, leather, suede and nubby tweed fabrics will be all the rage to add texture to upholstered furnishing.
Want to incorporate this trend? Use it on furnishings like ottomans, headboards and foyer benches; places where the fabric will not be overly dominant (my mom had the heavy velour bulrush motif on her matching sofa, loveseat and chair set — let's not go back there).
TIME TO TIME TRAVEL?
If you're ready for a new year, let's fast-forward and get a jump on 2021 with a few more design trends.
1. The area rug becomes art. Look to the floors to add an artistic statement in a room.
2. Add some traditional touches to modern interiors. The millennial minimalism style will be replaced with grander, “Granny” style.
3. The home office invades. Incorporating a well-functioning workspace will be more important than ever in 2021.
Do you have a decor dilemma or want to give feedback? You can contact Karl on Instagram at Karl Lohnes. Karl has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years.