2020 is now one for the history books, but the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has made on our lives will last for years to come. And this is no more evident than in the place we've had to hunker down for the better part of that year, our homes. Here are some of the interior design trends you will be seeing in 2021 that were inspired by quarantining at home.
COTTAGE CORE AND BOHO CHIC
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| Cottage Core Kitchen |
The Cottage Core movement has been around since the early 2010s and gets its inspiration from a romanticized interpretation of western agricultural life and centered around ideas of a simpler existence, in harmony with nature. Think Grandma's house on steroids.
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| Examples of Cottage Core |
The trend has been described by VOX as "the aesthetic where quarantine is romantic, not terrifying". It's design elements include florals, natural woods, pottery, ribbon and lace, all complemented through blush and neutral hues with pops of deep earth tones.
BOHO CHIC
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| Boho Chic |
First seen showing up on the clothes of festival goers at the likes of Coachella and more, Boho Chic is an updated version of former stye. It takes the best of Cottage Core and adds a new spin by pairing unexpected color and furniture.
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| Boho Chic Bedroom |
If you've stepped into an Anthropologie store in recent years, you've seen this style represented beautifully. The fundamentals of Boho chic have an emphasis on colors and patterns, whether they be florals or geometric. It loves earthy tones like browns, rusts and greens but contrasted with jewel tones and metallics. Add textiles, ceramics and other accessories that reference exotic places to complete the look.
JAPANDI
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| Japandi Interior |
It is literally the combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design styles, which have similar elements, into one beautiful interior design philosophy. People who love IKEA, but know they want items that are made extremely well, will last a long time and are willing to invest a little more are good candidates for this design aesthetic.
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| Japandi style isn't so much sparse, as it is intentional |
Scandinavian design coupled with Japanese rustic minimalism, Japandi is more of a lifestyle than a trend. They are interiors that are aesthetically pleasing but rooted in function, with a focus on beautiful craftsmanship. Japandi interiors exude peace and serenity, something that helps reassure us in very uncertain times likes these, so it's easy to see why this style has become so popular.
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| Examples of Japandi Interiors |
To achieve the Japandi look in your home, use calming, tranquil palettes and natural materials like wood, stone and wovens. Declutter your spaces, use sustainable materials and don't forget to bring the outside in with greenery.
WORLD TRAVELER/GLOBAL INFLUENCE
Next to spending time again our family and friends, the longing to get out and travel is the most dominant desire people have once freed from their lockdowns. And luckily this style trend is as diverse and flexible as you want it to be, just base it on your previous travel memories or places you aspire to go in the future.
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| The global influence of this room is featured in its textiles and weathered wood |
The beauty of this style is in its versatility. Dress it up with luxurious materials and high end pieces or keep it casual with rustic textiles and ethnic accessories. Longing for travel to distant shores? Then fill your space with ocean hues and coastal elements. Want something more exotic? Use jewel tones, dark woods and patterned textiles to evoke the place you dream of visiting.
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| Exotic, distant shores make for exciting dreams in this bedroom |
And if you are lucky enough to have collected souvenirs and art from your travels, or just want to look like you have, the World Traveller style is made for you. Just add some select pieces to the furniture you already have, like a tribal print lithograph or an area rug in an exotic print. Eclectic interiors that feature bold accessories are good, just don't overdo it to the point that your space looks cluttered or too staged.
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| Dark walls accentuate the artwork and eclectic accessories of this globally inspired living room |
And perhaps the easiest way to achieve the style of a jet-setting traveller is to look no further than your telephone. Photographs from places you've been, with people you love, can take you back to those happy moments just by looking at them. Make a gallery wall with photos from various trips.
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| Printing photos in black and white complements the neutral interiors |
Unify photographs by framing them in black, or at least frame them all in the same materials. Printing your memories in black and white can also unify photos from different places and years.
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| A whimsical way to display your world travels |
LIVABLE LUXURY
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| This bedroom strikes the perfect balance between luxurious and understated |
Some of us have been staring at the same four walls and sitting on the same disposable furniture for almost a year now and are yearning for something new, something better, because we've sacrificed enough already. Welcome to Livable Luxury. We want what our parents had, only updated.
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| Traditional furniture coupled with updated fabrics and accessories fill this cozy living room |
The focus of livable luxury is on high quality materials, whether they be older pieces or newly made. Antique furniture has had a rough time over the past decade. Millennials wanted trendy interiors that changed as fast as their tastes, so well-constructed, older furniture can be bought for a song currently, but that's all about to change.
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| Family pieces, handed down over generations, mix with the new in this transitional living room |
Whether you're seeking opulence or eclectic luxury, the fundamentals are the same. Well- crafted furniture coupled with quality upholstered pieces and accessories, is the hallmark of livable luxury. As long as the bones of a piece are good, you can breathe new life into it by upholstering in a current fabric. There's a reason antiques are still around, they endure because of their craftsmanship.
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| Livable luxury on a grand scale |
The photo above may look like the unattainable for many, but remove the paneled walls, chandelier, maybe even the fireplace, and what you are left with is a traditional sofa comfortably covered in a neutral fabric, some patterned pillows, solid color draperies and simple coffee table, with a coordinating rug grounding it all. Most of these items can be found either in thrift stores, or big box home goods retailers. What makes it luxurious is the layering of textures.
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| This room benefits from the high-low treatment with excellent results |
Color can be used to exude luxury as well. Walls painted in a jewel toned blue anchor a room filled with eclectic furniture; some are investment pieces, some are not. The bold print fabric stretched over a frame makes a big statement when used on a sofa pillow as well. Eclectic accessories showcased atop a contemporary white coffee table keep the room from feeling stuffy.
And there you have it. Theses are the predominant trends you will be seeing in furniture and accessories for 2021. With so many options, perhaps there is something inspiring to look forward to this year. I feel good about it!
