Our 2021 Home Décor Predictions

I have something exciting to share with you this week. I collaborated with five of my favourite décor influencers and bloggers to bring you our 2021 home décor predictions. My Christmas décor prediction post was more popular than I had anticipated and it seems we’re all wondering what the next big thing in décor will be. In all honesty, I didn’t use to pay much attention to trends, but I’ve come to see things a little differently now that I’m in the world of interior decorating. I want to be able to share the décor gems that are just emerging and that will make you feel excited about décor. And let me tell you, I feel energized and exciting thinking about what is coming this year.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Before I dive into the world of décor trends, I want to thank the talented decorators, bloggers, and shop owners who collaborated with me on this post. I asked this particular group of women to participate because I not only love their style but because they are always on point with trends. And they each have a way of taking the latest décor trend and making it their own. Each participant was given a survey to answer. Of course, we didn’t all agree on every point, so I just want to note that the opinions and predictions presented in this post are not necessarily the opinions of each participant. The words in this post are mine, except where I provide direct quotes.

The Experts

Amber, who owns the home décor shop Pink Lemon Décor and the vintage mobile boutique The Wildflower

Pamela, from the wildly successful Instagram page @HomeOnFernhill

Jenn, from @WildRoseCountryHome on Instagram and the blog Wild Rose Country Home

Tammy Damore, from @TheCultivatedHome on Instagram and the blog Tammy Damore

Becca Bertotti, from the gorgeous Instagram account @AdventuresInDecorating1

Our 2021 Home Décor Predictions

A Décor Shift

Tammy of The Cultivated Home says it perfectly, “I see a real shift, and I believe it’s perfect and timely. We have been in our “stay at home” mode for a year now, and now is the time to live in the space of your dreams. I believe the first trend will be people spending vacation funds on their home this year instead of traveling.” I couldn’t agree more. Last summer I saw pools, hot tubs, and backyard patios and decks popping up every week in our neighbourhood. I think people are making their homes more welcoming as well as more functional because we are spending so much more time at home and perhaps engaging in work activities. Old spaces need to be reimagined for their current and future uses. So, everything cozy and inviting will make its way into our homes this year.

Décor Styles

I want to start with this topic because the overarching style dictates many of the component pieces such as colour palette, materials, furniture profiles, and décor mood.

Farmhouse Style

In the past few years, Farmhouse décor, with its abundantly accessorized spaces, was one of the dominant décor styles. It was an evolution of the shabby chic and cottage style that was popularized decades ago. With the influence of modern farmhouse proponents like Joanna Gaines, we’ve seen farmhouse style evolve into a slightly more modern look with clean lines and industrial and boho accents. We predict that farmhouse décor will continue to evolve into more of a modern farmhouse style. For some people, this will mean pairing streamlined farmhouse elements with other styles like European, Modern, Industrial, and Boho. There may be a few less frills and more emphasis on clean lines and impact through good bones, statement pieces, and colour.

Cottagecore

Pamela from Home on Fernhill thinks that Cottagecore will gain in popularity this year. In case you haven’t heard of it, Cottagecore is a movement hearkening back to agricultural life, skills, and crafts. This style embraces a simpler, sustainable existence that is in harmony with nature. It’s not only a décor style but a movement that many of us participated in this year perhaps without even realizing it. Baking bread from scratch, starting a vegetable patch, and sewing our own home décor are things that pandemic life may have led us to find. In an age of technology and hectic schedules this movement brings a connection to the earth, to our past, and can bring a sense of comfort. Cottagecore values handcrafted and timeless décor and embraces plants and animals as important parts of our home. Artwork may include pastoral views and neutral photography of farm animals.

Classic/Traditional Style

Nearly all the collaborators on this post agreed that Classical décor will be a big trend this year. Tammy predicts that there will be a return to traditional bones, classic clean lines, and timeless furniture. Antique and vintage pieces will likely be more popular than ever in order to evoke a timeless home that evokes comfort and permanence. Becca from Adventures in Decorating predicts that we will see a blending of Classical décor with other styles such as modern farmhouse, Boho, and industrial styles. Amber from Pink Lemon Décor adds that people will want to create timeless spaces that can live through years to come. Classical style will be kept fresh by keeping furniture profiles clean, finishes simple, and the look refined.

Glam and Liveable Luxury

Our collaborators think that these styles will also be popular this year. After a very isolating and unsocial year where many of us spent months in tights and sweatshirts, we may be looking for a little glamour in our lives. Instead of fancy vacations or glamourous social events, why not add some glamour to our homes. Gold and cut glass, velvet, and well appointed closets are just a few items that may be popular this year.

Modern

I think modern décor will continue to grow this year. With a heightened interest in décor, more people will be looking to explore newer and more innovative design ideas. Modern décor is spare and I think this aspect of modern design will be very popular this year. Many of us are tired of the clutter and want a more streamlined look. For those who work from home, many have realized that it’s easier to focus when the surroundings are pared down and well organized. Sofas and upholstered furniture with clean lines, a lower profile, and simple upholstery are steadily growing in popularity. Pops of solid colour and unusual pottery shapes are other modern trends that are growing. Abstract artwork is really making a comeback. I think that modern décor that is approachable, practical and livable will be very popular.

Décor Elements

Colour Palettes

We all think that white will continue to be popular this year. White on white with a variety of textures is popular and creates a soothing environment. Some popular looks will be white combined with other neutrals and with dark grey, navy, or black. Dark moody colours like charcoal grey, deep blue, rich green, cognac, and black are gaining in popularity and this will most likely be a huge trend this year. These colours add drama to a space. Earth tones are really starting to make a comeback and we predict that muted shades of green and brown are on the rise. Pops of colour such as golden yellow and jewel tones are likely going to be popular too. These colours may help to lift the spirits especially during the months we may be stuck indoors.

For metal hardware, gold and bronze are popular as well as black. Black and gold faucets are still going strong and look fresh and new.

Functional Spaces

Amber from Pink Lemon Décor believes that functional spaces will be very popular this year as we are spending more time at home, and some spaces must serve several purposes. Home offices are popping up in many homes and often times families don’t have a dedicated room for an office. As a result, desks and partial office setups are being located in creative places, like closets or on a wall in a family room or bedroom. The design of the spaces that are open to the main living areas of the home needs to be cohesive. Also, there needs to be creative storage solutions so that work and homework are out of sight during evenings and weekends.

Functional spaces that are trending also include playrooms. With children spending much more time at home, there needs to be places for them to play, read, and learn.

Furniture

Upholstered furniture like sofas and sectionals are trending toward the simple and modern. Square or slope arm sofas are modern and sophisticated, especially when realized in a natural linen or linen blend. Solid coloured sofas are on trend and timeless at the same time. People may invest more in quality fabrics that feel good next to the skin.

Tammy believes that everyone is going to want to have that special focal point in a space, like a gorgeous armoire or sideboard. We all want our spaces to be unique and special and what better way to do that than to include a large, beautiful feature piece. Antiques and vintage pieces can be an affordable way to introduce such a piece into the home. Mass produced furniture is not as desirable, and there will likely be a trend towards furniture produced by small woodshops.

There is a trend towards more natural wood tones with painted furniture taking on more of a supporting role. Light-toned wood and rich wood tones highlighting the natural texture and tonal variation of wood are becoming more valued.

Fabrics

Tammy thinks we will see a lot more natural fibres this year, including silk, bamboo, linen, and cotton. Rugs, drapes, and upholstery in these fabrics have more depth and natural subtleties of tone and texture. They often feel much cozier than their made-made counterparts. I think that linen will become more mainstream this year, in bedding, drapes, and upholstery.

Slub-textured and tactile fabrics add interest to a space and will likely be popular this year. In the last couple of years there has been an interest in mud cloth fabrics and these will most likely continue to be even more popular this year. For decorative accents like throw pillows, I think there is a trend towards mixing different shades and textures together to create a space that looks modern. Rather than matching pillows symmetrically on a sofa, why not try an asymmetrical arrangement with different (but harmonious) pillows?

Vintage

Vintage décor has been growing steadily for several years and will likely continue to do so. I think people want to avoid mass produced items especially those of inferior quality. Vintage items give a sense of timelessness and permanency to our homes. Some trending items in vintage include artwork, rugs, brass décor, rustic pottery and lamps, mid-century modern furniture, coloured glassware, and rattan.

Handmade

Tammy shared her insightful thoughts on the handmade trend, saying that handmade items from small shops around the world will be popular because we need to feel connected and that we are making a difference. I completely agree, it’s a wonderful feeling to receive a package in the mail of a unique item that was made just for me. As a small shop owner myself, I have noticed that demand for handmade items increased significantly during the Covid lockdowns of 2020. People want beautiful handcrafted items that are ethically produced.

Plants

Becca thinks that more and more people will embrace their green thumbs this year by adding plants to their décor. These can range from tiny succulents and air plants to full grown trees. There is a definite move towards real plants rather than faux or silk plants. Real plants require us to care for a living thing and studies have shown how beneficial this is for our mental health, which is needed now more than ever. Gardening will also be very popular again this year as we trend towards more self-sufficient households.

Feature Walls – Wallpaper and Moldings

The wallpaper trend has been building the last couple of years and will likely continue to be strong this year. Jenn from Wild Rose Country Home predicts that bold moody floral patterns will likely be popular this year. Tammy thinks we may see a lot more textured wallpapers in French themes and traditional styles.

Moldings and trim work will likely be popular this year as people want to add unique elements to their homes. I think that traditional picture frame molding as well as more modern geometric patterns will be popular. These may be seen as feature walls and may be painted in bold colours like black, rich forest green, or cognac.

Trends that may be Untrending

My collaborators have weighed in and this is what they think- barn doors, shiplap, Rae Dunn, and the over-accessorizing of homes we’ve seen in recent years will be less popular this year. The main reason is that these trends have been overdone and people are always looking to be fresh and unique. I think there is still a place for all of these things but they will be different than before. I love shiplap and I’ve noticed designers and influencers making it new again by painting it charcoal, black, or beige. Also, I predict that we will see more coloured shiplap walls this year, perhaps in shades of green and earthy browns. I can’t wait to see what you all do with your décor this year.

Summary

I hope you have enjoyed our 2021 Home Décor Predictions. Since we are spending more time at home, we want our spaces to be as comfortable, beautiful, and functional as possible. This may mean creating a home office, investing in a comfortable sofa, streamlining our décor and decluttering, or adding drama and individuality with paint, wallpaper, or a focal piece of furniture. Popular trends will also likely include handmade, vintage, modern clean lines, texture, plants, and unique items. As always, trends are just trends, and don’t dictate how you should decorate your home. Do what you love and what inspires you!