The next big thing
As the sun starts to set on summer, interior design hub Houzz shines a light on the decorating trends that look set to star in AW21.
WHEN it comes to trends in the home, it’s safe to say the past 18 months have revolved around desks and work stations – but what next?
“As we move into the latter half of 2021, interiors look set to take a softly, softly approach, with a renewed focus on wellbeing and versatility,” says Amanda Pollard, senior editor for home renovation and design platform, Houzz.co.uk
To get a feel for what the future holds, Amanda shares what’s popular, and which of these trends design professionals in the Houzz community predict you’ll be seeing more of in the coming months...
GOODBYE OPEN-PLAN
“As homes have worked harder than ever over the last year, renovators are searching for stylish ways to divide up space for multiple uses,” says Amanda. “Fewer homeowners have been searching for ‘open- plan living’ on Houzz .
“Instead, as people search for ways to find a balance between separation and connection, search terms like ‘internal glass door’, ‘room dividers’ and ‘pocket door’ have seen a rise in interest (up by 109%, 29% and 15% respectively during 2021, compared to 2020).”
THE NATURAL CHOICE
“Over the past year, many of us have sought solace in the outdoors, and we’re seeing this translate into design trends, with homeowners favouring shades and materials we associate with the natural world,” adds Amanda. “Comforting colours such as nudes, beiges and browns are a staple in many of the new featured photos, as well as textures like boucle.”
Green is also having a moment, particularly in the kitchen, overtaking blue as the hue of choice.
“It’s not just the kitchen getting the green treatment though, as the search terms ‘green bathroom’, ‘green living room’ and ‘green bedroom’ have increased in popularity since 2020,” adds Amanda.
PANELLED SURFACES
“Panelling has become more and more popular, up by 48% in searches
this year, we’re seeing walls adorned with a variety of styles.”
Surprisingly versatile, Amanda says there’s a style to suit any room or home, from subtle shiplap, traditional shaker styles, or more modern linear cladding designs. Also, interior designers report a rise in enquiries requesting panelling, especially for bedrooms and hallways.