INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS 2021

With many people’s attitudes on life changing during 2020, and many wishing they could get away this year, we take a look ahead at the interior design trends for 2021.

1. RUSTIC VOGUE – A SOPHISTICATED TAKE ON COTTAGECORE

Interior design trends 2021: orange dining room

This look is a crowd pleaser, appealing to anyone who loves their modern home comforts but wants to inject some character details into their living spaces, too. It works ideally in homes that already have some interesting features, such as exposed beams, original floorboards or panelled walls, but can equally be re-created with a considered balance of old and new pieces that work together in harmony.

Reclaimed wood is the core material that holds this look together – look for unique pieces that show plenty of grain and texture, rather than items that are perfectly finished.

2. YELLOW AND GRAY

This year, Pantone took the unusual step of naming two colors as their shades of the year: Illuminating, a zingy yellow, and Ultimate Yellow, a pale gray.

'The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, it’s about more than one,' says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

3. COTTAGECORE

'Cottagecore is something that started off as very simplistic but I think it can also be mixed with touches of glamour to create a luxe traditional style. Elegant vintage style barware, gilded cutlery and statement gold accessories are all ways to get the look whilst staying on budget and touches of British quirk will keep the look feeling grounded.'

Think: a cuter version of Rustic Vogue, with ginghams and checks vying for attention with vintage prints and motifs – all set within a muted, pastel palette.

4. CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

A wander through warm amber tones, mellow meadow prints and beautiful embroidery. Mix and match natural textures for a cozy and inviting look that lift both home and spirit.

Mix muted colors with folksy and characterful prints for a more modern country kind-of-vibe.

5. DISTANT SHORES

We're all yearning for this, right? Well, the laid-back lifestyle of Hawaii has been reimagined in this next trend. As we long for tropical getaways, interiors inspired by distant shores offer a calm and relaxing living space to make a home a safe and inviting place to recharge. Adding a contemporary edge to a classic floral design, the Distant Shores trend features tropical brights, subtle monotones and soft lemons.

Tropical leaves and florals can be used to bring the outside indoors, with an introduction to greenery into homes. Easy-living digital prints are designed to work in any home with complementary color palettes to emulate the varied Hawaiian landscape,’ continues Parry.

'There are many people who have missed the freedom to go aboard in 2020,' says Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage. 'So I predict a return to a global inspiration within interiors, where our spaces reflect our travels, the sea and distant shores.'

6. VINTAGE

Antique, repurposed, salvaged and retro pieces all have their place in a vintage scheme. The key is to reference the look rather than slavishly reproduce it, using strong colors, favorite pieces and a less-is-more approach for a vibrant, cohesive aesthetic. The key to this approach is to provide plenty of contrast.

Build up a vintage-style scheme gradually. It’s the kind of look that needs layering so choose pieces over time that mean something to you. Add a few luxe elements such as rich fabrics and statement lighting to create a modern note.

7. EARTHY, GROUNDED SHADES

First Dulux announces its Color of the Year as Brave Ground, then Urbane Bronze is hailed as Sherwin Williams' Color of the Year (above). Now, Little Greene will release their latest paint range in January 2021... and, you guessed it, it's all built around a natural, earthy color palette (above). Packed with rusts, warm greens, deep reds and slubby browns, it's comforting, welcoming... and just what we need for 2021. And we love it.

8. WARM COLORS

This winter provides the perfect excuse to get cozy, and a great way of doing this is by incorporating warm colors to a space. However, warm colors can feel really welcoming in sunnier months too, and we will see a lot of burnt oranges and peacock blues incorporated into people’s décor going forwards.

These are great colors that work well with darker colors like grey and navy, but also add depth to a space. These colors are also great for this time of year, and add a playful element of color that is very needed during the colder winter months.

9. GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Inspired by earthy color palettes and warm, natural textures, the Global Influence trend pairs perfectly with wooden, woven and rattan home accessories. It’s bold safari feel is influenced by wildlife and African plains.

‘We’ve seen ‘Global Influence’ as a key trend for the season across both interiors and fashion. With warmer tones now often being favoured over cooler greys this is a key interior trend that can be easily translated into the home.’

‘The challenge and goal is to capture the aesthetic of global styles through unique and creative perspectives,' explains Maria Parry.

'We usually travel around the world to gain insight into the must-have trends for the season ahead, but this year we have had to think outside the box and gain inspiration from elsewhere.

‘Taking influence from nature, nostalgia and the desire for a tropical getaway, living spaces will reflect the current situation we are faced with, embracing calming color palettes and familiar patterns that create a sanctuary in any home.’

10. OCEAN HUES

Interior design trends 2021: blue dining room

Capturing relaxing poolsides and beach getaways, aqua and inky blues offer a calm, contemporary look. Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 2021 reflects this shift towards tranquil, yet modern interiors with Aegean Teal (above), a color that is known for its association with peace, calm and comfort.

Ocean blues are a key color trend for the year. Varying from deep inky tones through to soft aquas, blue is the perfect color for creating a tranquil home.