the trends
With function becoming more important than form, decor in 2021 is going to be all about good design ideas
Get Comfortable – “Comfort and tradition I think will rule the roost when it comes to design and decor this year. And it’s a direct result of 2020,” says Kadam, adding, “People spent a lot of time in their home and over the year we realised that layers of functional comfort actually do help and we will be seeing more of that in 2021 for sure.” To sum it up, this means, “less formal and more inviting living rooms, over stuffed furniture, softer curves and traditional styles”.
Relaxed Design – “That entire feeling of ‘curl up and have coffee’ will be a deciding factor in everything,” says Kadam, who is been doing this style for quite some time now. “I sincerely believe home will be at the forefront of drawing comfort this year too and rounded, comfortable decor will be a thing,” she says.
Delhi-based interior and product stylist Jasleen Singh started sharing images of her home in south Delhi on Instagram four years ago and even she could not predict the love and appreciation that would come her way. But more on that later. “I had a full time job as editor of a magazine. I had a career in writing and editing for over 20 years, but unfortunately that magazine shut down and I took a sabbatical. I devoted my time then to my other passion—interiors. I’m not a trained interior designer, but I loved styling homes and kept doing that for family and friends,” says Singh.
One look at her Instagram handle called The Ketli Home and the earthy and relatable decor with some amazing styling tips makes her account stand out. “Initially it was just sharing corners of my home twice a month. Soon, as I got more into using Instagram as a platform to showcase my sense of design and decor, I started getting work via this medium,” she says, adding, “I’m still exploring and honing my sense of style and am grateful that some like-minded people have chosen to follow along with this process.”
Interestingly, Singh is discerning about which brands she works with. They have to echo a similar sensibility and she has to enjoy its design aesthetics. This honesty she brings is one of the many reasons why she has over 27,000 followers and more
than 89,000 posts on the hash tag she co-hosts #BrightSpacesWeLove.
Singh’s effortlessly gorgeous style has many takers. Her design tip? “Start with the bare minimum in terms of furniture that you need and then accessorise. Plants, textiles, art, texture—whatever works for you and defines you and your family best. Balance and restraint are key,” says the interior stylist.
When it comes to brands she loves her list has many names including Fabindia, Nicobar, Good Earth and Bereru. However, more than what products she picks, it’s how she styles it that makes people return to her handle.
DIYs come naturally to Swati Bora, better known as Kumaoni Soul on Instagram with over 37,000 followers. “I landed here accidently,” says Bora, who grew up in a small town in Uttarakhand and was passionate about DIYs, painting and gardening. “I remember taking up painting classes and making pretty cushions and beautiful designs on bed sheets during the day and working in the garden with my father in the evening during summer vacations. Then I moved away from my town for higher education and got a job in the city,” she says. In late 2018 when she got married and shared her passions with her husband, Vineet Verma, he suggested that she document the entire process of converting their rented apartment in Delhi into a home. “He encouraged me start an Instagram account and share this journey with people,” says Bora.
Once she started sharing pictures on Instagram, she got a good response from my family and friends. “I believe in affordable and sustainable decor solutions and I think people saw that in my work and connected with me. With that much appreciation in little time, I felt motivated and became consistent in posting content,” says the decor enthusiast. Bora came up with different DIYs along with well executed decor and
gardening videos that everyone loved. “When the lockdown happened everyone became active on social media which gave me a lot of exposure,” she adds. She also helps her husband with his venture Furniblooms that provides affordable decor products.
Bora strongly believes that decor is not about placing beautiful and expensive things in a space, it is about how you make all elements work together to make that space lively and comfortable at the same time. “Using plants as one of the most important design elements to transform any space, they not only add colour but life to your space. You will find a plant in every corner of my home,” she says, adding, “They create a huge impact and are budget friendly as well.” Another great tip she shares is investing in multifunctional pieces that can be styled in many ways. “It helps reduce the visual clutter,” she says. Bora also recommends using of trendy natural elements such as jute or cane baskets to enhance the decor. “These options are budget friendly and provide the perfect solution to keep your space clutter free,” she says.
As for favourite decor brands, she is partial to Furniblooms but also likes Fabindia, Chumbak, Good Earth, Nicobar and Nestasia. “I have also heard a lot about IKEA but never got the opportunity to visit their store. I hope they come to Delhi soon,” she says.