Home Design Trends That’ll Be Big in 2021

There are plenty of reasons to look forward to 2021, especially when it comes to the home. After a year that guided many of us to spend more time at home, the new year is an opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to our living spaces. From calming Zen room ideas to stylish (and smart) approaches to home office design, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes fit their new realities. Open floor plans are out; dedicated spaces for remote work and learning are in. Yards are being transformed into entertainment spaces and walls are being repainted. At the same time, increased demand and safety concerns can make the remodeling process much longer than before.

We can’t ignore how lockdown has changed the way we see our homes and how they have become a place of refuge and sanctuary. Home is our safe place, so comfort and coziness are paramount. Colors are natural and earthy, drawn from nature, and shapes are rounded and cocooning. We all feel we deserve a bit of luxury too, so you can finally light that expensive scented candle you have been saving.

As our homes are still doubling up as offices, zoning and being organized are high on the list of design considerations – and don’t forget that all-important video call wall. We are also more aware of our fragile planet, so we want natural materials and fibers.

Here are some trends to watch for this 2021 home-remodeling season.

A FOCUS ON DEDICATED SPACES

At the start of 2020, the most requested design concept was open space, but now we face a different set of design implications because everyone’s living conditions have changed. Remote workers and learners need privacy and quiet. A year ago, it was rare for one family member to work from home ..now, parents and kids find it difficult to get work done because of the noise in the open design.

This year, expect to see homeowners spending less time knocking down walls to open up shared areas, and more time transforming spare rooms or nooks into dedicated spaces. That might mean adding a home office or home theater, for instance, or transforming a nook into a space for distance-learning.

MAKING ROOM FOR HOME OFFICES

To add home offices to residences, homeowners aren’t adding square footage, rather they’re taking out rarely used closets, like in the hallway, and moving interior walls to make space. The home office trend isn’t going away anytime soon.

Even when the pandemic is over, there’ll be a lot of people still working from home. Use of home technology is also increasing as households install items such as ethernet cables for computer networks and Bluetooth speakers.

MORE OUTDOOR LIVING

One cure for that cooped-up feeling is outdoor living areas. Homeowners spending more time at home may also start to seek out remodeling projects that bring beautiful outdoor views inside — for instance, by installing larger windows or glass doors that let in more natural light.

DESIGNER KITCHENS MADE FOR A CHEF

Since many picked up cooking or baking as a new hobby in 2020, it’s no surprise that the kitchen remains the heart of the home. When it comes to kitchen design trends this year, think functional yet stylish. Spacious, open concept kitchens with top-notch stainless steel appliances will continue as a “must-have” for homeowners, but they’re also seeking a beautiful and stylish design.

LONGER WAIT TIMES

Besides shifts in design trends, homeowners can expect a continued slow-down in the industry. In some cases, safety concerns have changed how contractors and workers approach projects. Getting permits can also take much longer than usual as demand increases and those who approve the permits adapt to new working conditions — for instance, working at home rather than in the office, or working with a limited staff.

BOLD COLORS

For homebound do-it-yourselfers looking for affordable ways to make rooms more welcoming this year, adding a colorful fresh coat of paint will likely be high on their list. A sign that bold colors and color combinations could be gaining favor: They featured prominently among Color of the Year winners for 2021 announced by brands including Sherwin Williams, Pantone and Benjamin Moore. Sherwin Williams selected Urbane Bronze (a dark brownish-gray), for instance; Benjamin Moore selected an Aegean Teal (a blue-green color); Pantone selected a color duo: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (a gray tone alongside a bright yellow color).

For homeowners, striking paint colors like these could be an appealing low-cost way to add depth, excitement and personality to a room without overwhelming it.