1. GREENER HOMES
It’s time to embrace your inner green thumb! Houseplants are all the rage right now. Plants add, with just a little TLC, decoration to a space, and they also bring about real health benefits. Our little green friends refresh the air and are even able to boost our bad moods. A greener home doesn’t require an advanced degree in horticulture; indeed, there are many “easy-to-nurture” houseplants. Our favorites: the striking peace lily, the ever-useful aloe vera, the low-light-loving cast-iron plant, the forgiving Chinese evergreen, the water-sparingly snake plant, the baby-creating spider plant and the slow-growing Chinese money plant.
2. LET THE LIGHT SHINE
We all need a little more Zen in our daily lives, and one easy way to accomplish that mission is to maximize natural light throughout your surroundings. It may be time to dump dark or heavy window treatments and instead invest in more opaque cotton curtains. Strategically placed mirrors can also help amplify light in a darker room, and light gray paints, light woods and lightly-colored rugs can also fool the eye with an illusion of more light.
3. MINIMAL IS MORE
“Less is more,” indeed. Minimalism is poised to make a major design interruption in 2021, and the trend doesn’t just apply to sleek furniture, Marie Kondo’s “Tidying Up” regimen and subdued hues. The movement has expanded to items as simple as the opening apparatus for a kitchen cabinet. That’s right: Push-style latches and integrated handles are surging in popularity because of their clever solutions in delivering the latest fad of clean lines. Another popular item is stylish storage solutions ... you know, for the clutter that just can’t be tossed.
4. HOME OFFICES (BUT MAKE THEM MINIMAL)
The work-from-home trend came about out of necessity, but it just may stick around even as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Make your home office comfortable and functional, but remember, your home is your sanctuary, and who wants to always see work reminders? Focus on uncluttered and minimal home office designs, and equip them with simple, modern – and yes, again ... functional – furniture that has enough storage to adequately put away your work items.
5. A LITTLE VIBRANCY
Minimalism is great, but we need a splash of color, and a brightly-colored piece of furniture is the perfect piece to warm up a room and add some needed charm. Try captivating colors such as red, yellow, blue or green to grab attention.
6. ACCESSORIES GALORE
Ceramic Vessels • Wicker • Abstract Art • Floor Lamps • Plush Seating
7. CLOSED PLANS
The work-from-home craze made one thing clear: Families can have way too much “together time.” The open floor plan leaves few opportunities for retreat, so expect a return of sorts to a “closed” plan. Sure, rooms may not be segregated by thick walls, but creative solutions for room dividers – barn doors and bookshelves – will emerge.
8. GRAY YEAR
Pantone, the company behind the definitive color system, named Ultimate Gray as the Color of the Year, and interior designers are expecting the color to have a banner year. According to the company, gray “...quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.”
9. GRANNY CHIC
The “grandmillennial” style is an “ode to old school” and is a modern twist on your grandmother’s living room. The style takes old-school trends, like floral wallpaper, and gives them a 21st century try. The style is “nostalgic and comfortable,” writes journalist Jessica Bennett. “Pattern is paramount in grandmillennial designs, with classic prints like toile, chintz and plaid featuring heavily on curtains, upholstery and wall coverings. Embellishments like ruffles, pleats and fringe are also seeing a resurgence ... and heirloom furniture crafted from dark stained woods like walnut and cherry brings a sense of history to these rooms,” she explains. The style works because it’s based off personality, something that can be missing in modern design.
10. SHADE STRUCTURES
Pergolas are surging in popularity, and these outdoor structures include columns supporting a roof that shelters an area from the elements.
11. WINDOWSILL GARDENING
Find a window that receives bright sunlight, and a windowsill garden can be born. Leafy greens and herbs are best fits for these indoor gardens.
12. RAISED BED GARDENING
Limited space? A raised bed garden is perfect for you, and it’s an attractive option, too. They’re also easier to maintain than an in-ground bed.
13. TREES, PLEASE
Plant a tree – or two, or six – in 2021. Sure, they’re beautiful, but they also provide a shelter for wildlife. Trees also provide shade, which can save money on energy costs, and they can increase home appeal for future buyers while even acting as natural sound barriers. Our favorites: The Southern magnolia (of course) and dogwoods.
14. OUTSIDE LIVING
Outdoor living and entertaining spaces became a necessity in 2020, and their popularity continues to grow in 2021. Outdoor sofas and other seating, like rocking chairs and swings, will remain popular. Outdoor kitchens and dining areas are becoming a major trend.
