2021 Home Decor Trends

We’re so excited to put 2020 in the rearview mirror and look ahead to the possibilities 2021 holds — and that includes brand-new home decor. Each year, new design trends take hold, and for 2021 we’re seeing plenty of home trends relying on people still being stuck inside because of COVID-19 and its variants. Here’s some of the home decor trends we think will be big this year. 

2021 Home design trends to look out for

1. Cozy spaces

We’ll likely still be staying home for a good portion of 2021, so we might as well be comfortable. Keeping your living space cozy and comfortable is definitely the way to go this year. Whether you opt for something like a new velvet couch or maybe a plush rug is up to you. You can even do something simple like adding furry throw pillows to your couch and chairs to make them ultra-comfortable to lounge around in.  Don’t forget to make your space extra cozy and private through window treatments.

2. Gray and yellow

To be more specific, the Pantone colors for 2021, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are great options for home decor. The beauty of this year having two Pantone colors means you have more options for decor. You could go for a more toned-down look with Ultimate Gray and add pops of color with Illuminating. A bright yellow rug will give any room a bit of life, and gray details like vases and pots add a nice geometric element.   

3. Granny chic

Nostalgia as a trend often takes on different meanings, but for 2021, nostalgia may take the form of granny chic. Yes, decor that you may have quite literally seen in your grandparents’ house — like floral wallpaper — during your childhood is coming back in style. This is partially due to the rise in sustainability and thrifting — those who are shopping at their local vintage stores are finding home decor that actually was in someone’s grandma’s house.

4. Artisan pieces

People took up new hobbies during COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, and many of those were craft-related. Because of this, a lot of us have a new appreciation for artisan pieces. This will be the year of filling our homes — though not excessively — with handmade pieces that are both our own and from some of our favorite creators. 

5. Garden rooms

Pinterest predicts there will be a boom (or shall we say, bloom?) in 2021 of garden rooms. By creating a garden room in your space, you’ll have somewhere to escape without actually going anywhere. Find a bistro set to suit whatever style you want to embody in garden room of your own, and fill it with as many plants (real or artificial) as you’d like. 

6. Surround sound

Have we mentioned that 2021 is all about staying in again? Once you’ve created your cozy space, it’s time to make it the ultimate entertainment center, since you’re not going anywhere to find your usual fun. We’re seeing 2021 as the perfect time to install surround sound in your entertainment area, invest in a larger TV, and make the space as luxurious as possible. This way when you fire up a movie or turn on a live stream concert, you’ll feel more like you’re in a theater or arena. 

7. Bathroom alternatives

Hear us out here, but we’ve been seeing a lot of people installing bidets in their bathrooms and we think that will continue in 2021. Many are seeing the advantages of bidets, and some are attributing their desire for one to the toilet paper shortage at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that you don’t have to install an entirely new piece of furniture in your bathroom — you can get a bidet attachment for your toilet.  

8. Coffee stations

Since we’re not going to our coffee shops nearly as often anymore, a coffee station at home is the way to go. Your coffee station doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just needs to include a coffee maker, some mugs, and your coffee supplies. Of course, if you want to get fancy, you can get a milk frother, fancy ice cube trays, and more.  

9. Green cabinets

If you’re in the market for redecorating your kitchen, consider green cabinets. Design experts are predicting this to be the next buzzy color in the kitchen space. As for shades, lights and darks will both be appealing, which gives you a ton of possibilities. New cabinets call for a refresh on your dishes, too, and because green is a great neutral, you can select whatever dishes make you happy. 

10. Wicker

Design experts think wicker and rattan furniture and decor will be on the up and up in 2021. Not only are these pieces light and airy — almost literally — but they add a brightness to a room. Wicker and rattan will also blend seamlessly with your granny chic decor. Look for rattan chairs that you can top with a comfy pillow, wicker baskets, and more pieces that you can hang on the walls. These pieces also work indoors and outdoors, so they’re great if you live in warm climates where you might have an open-air living space.

The bottom line

2021 will ostensibly be about staying home. Make the most of your space by turning it into your own personal oasis. That means making it cozy yet luxurious, relaxing yet bold, and making it include all the things you miss about the outside. Look to the up-and-coming trends that suit your taste and budget and go from there. Updating your space can be the project for when you find yourself still at home.