Home Trends That Will Be In and Out in 2021

29. Natural Materials and Sustainability

With so many documentaries out there like David Attenborogh’s A Life on Our Planet educating the masses, people are finally waking up to the fact that we need to do something about sustaining the Earth’s natural resources. One of the many things we can do to help is to use natural materials. Furniture made out of wood or bamboo lasts longer, but it also breaks down naturally in the landfill, should you ever decide to throw it away later on.

People are also becoming more aware of cutting down on plastic containers, and so much more. If you would like to see an example of a home that has seamlessly incorporated natural resources, check out our breakdown of how to copy the vibe of Jessica Alba’s Living Room.

28. Oversized Drawer and Cabinet Pulls

Swapping out your drawer pulls for something new has always been an affordable way to give your house a makeover. But in 2020 and going into 2021, we’re seeing a trend in way more oversized drawer and cabinet pulls. There is something very cool and stylish about them, and they also make it easier to open your drawers.

In a way, it might also give the illusion that your kitchen is larger than it actually is. One designer I see using this trend a lot is by Shea McGee from McGee & Co. She has appeared on the Netflix series Dream Home Makeover, and penned the book called Make Life Beautiful. If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out Shea’s content. (After finishing this article, of course!)

27. Jewel Tones

Trends in fashion tend to parallel what happens in the world of Interior design. After all, it’s all about style. Sometimes, it takes a year or two for high-end fashion trends to trickle their way down to the rest of the world. All throughout 2020 Fashion Week, we saw a lot of clothing in jeweled tones. In case you aren’t aware, jewel tones are exactly what it sounds like.

They’re colors like ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue. Golden accents just give you this impression that your home is like a piece of jewelry. Even if you’re struggling with money in this down economy, at least your house can look expensive in 2021.

26. Fire Pits

With more people staying at home, there is a lot more attention being put on making your own backyard more comfortable. For a lot of people, it has become the only place where it feels safe to have friends over. So it only makes sense that we’ve seen people paying more attention to their backyards. This means buying barbecue grills, outdoor furniture, and of course, fire pits. Your basic fire pit from Home Depot or Lowes is around $150, but a more extensive brick installation would cost at least $1,000.

Personally, I’ve witnessed a few of the families on my street start using their fire pits far more often, including my own. Going into next year, we’re still going to be doing this, and may upgrade our fire pit game as time goes on. Even when life goes back to normal, fire pits are still a great way to gather a big group of your friends all in one place, especially if you don’t have the space indoors.

25. DIY

In 2020, a lot of people were staying at home with a ton of time on their hands. Finally, it was the moment to tackle all of those house projects all of us put on the back burner. Home Depot and Lowes are also some of the only stores left open during strict lockdowns, since they’re considered essential businesses. Sales at these stores went up 24% compared to 2019. So plenty of people went shopping to find new DIY projects to keep themselves occupied. Going into 2021, we still have to wait a while before things can go back to normal. So the trend in DIY doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.

24. Kitchen Islands Designed For Seating

Installing a kitchen island has always been a great way to give you additional counter space in the center of the room. However, not all kitchen islands are made equal. Some of them, especially the small Islands from places like Ikea, are only meant for counter space, and nothing more. Obviously, the issue with this is that you can’t put a kitchen table on its place. That’s why a lot more people are concentrating on finding a kitchen island that accommodates stool seating. We want our family and friends to be able to gather around the table and eat. Now more than ever, we want to cherish the people we live with, and look forward to inviting them back into our lives in 2021.

23. Cottagecore

One of the biggest emerging trends on TikTok in 2020 was the Cottagecore aesthetic. This is getting in touch with the simple way of life that our ancestors once lived. Embracing nature, gardening, growing vegetables, and living a self-reliant life out in the country. Watching Cottagecore videos is really soothing, especially if you’re feeling a lot of stress from the events happening in the last year. As time has gone on, more and more websites and designers are catching on to the Cottagecore trent. Here at Home Addict, we already created a list called How to Decorate Your Home With the Cottagecore Aesthetic. Be sure to check it out.

22. Blending the Old and the New

On most home makeover shows, they feature someone’s old house being completely transformed into something new. Everything from the furniture to the accessories is completely brand new to the point where it wouldn’t be necessary to reuse any of their old products. In the past, I’ve met people who bought their first house in the 1990s or early 2000s and took this advice from TV very seriously. Nowadays, people realize that what you see on TV isn’t indicative of real life. And more designers like Joanna Gaines made sure to keep some of the family’s original objects. Now that everyone is on a tight budget, it’s also not realistic to replace every little thing. Going into 2021, we’re going to see more of a blend of old and new continue to be a trend.

21. Having Fun With Your Bathroom Design

For some people, their bathroom is one of the last places they worry about designing. After all, we don’t spend much time in the bathroom beyond getting ready in the morning. However, in 2020 and going into 2021, a lot of people have realized that the bathroom is one of the most affordable rooms to give a makeover. And when we’re ready to invite guests back into our homes, they still get a good impression of you when they go into a bathroom or powder room. This year, have fun with your bathroom redesign, and make it personal to you. Some of the trends I’ve seen bold wallpapers, non-traditional sinks and faucets, gorgeous light fixtures, and more.

20. An Environmentally Friendly Fireplace

Not all fireplaces are created equal. Certain fireplace designs actually bring cold air through the chimney, and aren’t very efficient at heating a house. On top of that, frequently burning wood will contribute to the carbon emissions that harm the planet. This is why so many homeowners chose to close up their fireplaces and replace it with central heating. However, there are some wood burning stoves that are actually very efficient at heating a small home. These stoves often need far less wood to burn, and in turn produce less smoke. Before you install a fireplace, be sure to do your research on how safe it is for the planet.

19. Rattan and Wicker Furniture

Back in the 1960’s and 70’s, rattan and wicker furniture was popular among the hippies. Now, the style is making a huge comeback. This is especially popular among people who are looking to decorate their homes in the Boho Surf Shack style. If you live near a coastal area, it’s easy to find rattan and wicker pieces at your local thrift store. Or, sign up for free curbside groups on Facebook. (That’s how I got a vintage rattan couch for free.) Stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie are really jumping on this trend, so it should be easy enough to find reproductions, too.

18. Plants

Having plants in your home never goes out of style. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also help to filter your air. Now that people are more aware of filtering the air in their homes, it makes sense that there is a huge uptick in the amount of people bringing live house plants into their homes. Sure, you can buy an air purifier, but plants will help for much less money. In 2020, we saw a lot of people adopting a fiddle fig, succulents, sill monstera, and the Chinese money plant. Certain plants, like the fiddle fig tree, take years to reach full maturity. So they’re not going away any time soon.

17. Small and Simple Luxuries

With more people on tight budgets, it’s unrealistic to believe that a lot of people are going to do a huge home makeover any time soon. However, what you can do on any budget is just treat yourself to small luxuries. The term “luxury” might mean something different to everyone. For some people, luxury can be indulging in a piece of chocolate, or letting themselves lie in bed on their phone in the morning. For others, one of the things they might miss the most in 2020 is sitting at a cafe for a really well-made espresso. So, it would make sense for them to buy a Nespresso machine. Ask yourself what you consider what some people might have told you is an “unnecessary” luxury, and just treat yourself to it, anyway. Sometimes, these small luxuries are what really help you feel comfortable, and at home.

16. Tapestries

If you’re a Millennial or from Gen Z and you lived in a college dorm, chances are that you met someone with a tapestry on their wall. These look far more sophisticated than posters, and they can cover a large space quickly. For example, my brother’s college apartment didn’t have a window in the kitchen, so his girlfriend set up a tapestry that looked like a beautiful view of nature. Instead of staring at a blank white void, they now had a wall with a view of nature to eat their meals. A few years later, these college kids have grown up, but they still love hanging a good tapestry. Other people use tapestries as room dividers for more privacy, sound dampening, or simply filling a large, empty space. Etsy has some of the best tapestries I’ve ever seen, so go there to find something that suits your taste.

15. French Country

This past year, the British reality TV series called “Escape to the Chateau” finally started to appear on American television. The series is about a married couple named Dick and Angel who moved to a castle in France. They spend their time renovating the castle and adjusting to their new life in the country. This gave people a real taste of the French Country life, and people absolutely love it. Combined with Cottagecore, plenty of people are going to continue to embrace European country life going into 2021.

14. Faux Marble

Marble countertops are beautiful, and great if you can afford them. However, they’re often difficult to keep clean, especially if you have kids. And their weight and expense can be too much for some people. The past couple years, people have started to realize that you can create faux marble countertops using marble contact paper. There are also products on the market that look like the real deal, only they’re easy to clean, lighter, and cheaper. Going into 2021, we’re going to see a lot more people going for this more affordable option when they’re ready to redo their kitchens.

13. Upholstered Walls

In the olden days, one of the ways you could tell someone was rich was if they had upholstered walls in their house. Some of the oldest wallpaper was made out of fabric, rather than paper, and they were hand painted. So obviously, it was incredibly expensive. This went out of style with the invention of paper, and it hasn’t made much of a reappearance until recently. Through the magic of the Internet, people are starting to realize that upholstered walls are an option. Recently, I stayed at a hotel with upholstered walls, and it was very fancy, indeed. This is great for sound dampening, and it looks cool too. This trend has been circulating the Internet for the past year, and it’s more likely that people who actually want it will have the money for their upcoming 2021 projects.

12. Dark Painted Doors

Over the past few years, a statement door was in style. People were painting their front doors fun colors like yellow, blue, red, or white. While there is nothing wrong with that, the new trend is to go towards a classic, dark door. This can either be a dark wood stain, or black paint. These doors are especially popular in London, with a glossy black door, brass hardware, a mail slot, and a fancy door knocker. There is something so classic about this, that if you choose to go for a dark door, it’s really never going out of style.

11. Black and White

Decorating your home with black and white will never go out of style. And going into 2021, there seems to be a lot more people who are leaning in that direction. Since it’s so classic, it’s easy to grow and pivot when you own black and white things. We’re not suggesting that you go ahead and get checkered flooring in your kitchen. But incorporating the yin and yang into your existing color palette may be a great way to mix things up.

10. Grandmacore

In 2020, people are finding any way they can to feel some sense of soothing comfort. A lot of people are choosing to decorate their homes to look like their grandmother lived there. In some cases, people very literally inherited things from their grandparents, and chose to reuse them in their own home. Other times, people will comb Etsy or thrift stores to find something that fits the aesthetic. Grandmacore has also been called Granny Chic, Grandmillennial, and New Traditionalist.

9. Bright and Bold Monochromatics

In the past, designers advised people to stay away from being too matchy-matchy. This is because sometimes, monochromatics can be overwhelming. But a trend we see happening in 2020 and into 2021 is people figuring out how to make monochromatics work in a modern context. The examples I’ve seen on the Internet are very cool, and it’s likely to continue going forward. Just keep in mind that this is a trend that is likely to go out of style at some point. Always put down a primer before you paint.

8. Neutral and Earthy Tones

Earlier on this list, we mentioned how more people are looking into using sustainable, natural materials. It would make sense, then, that people are going for things that have neutral and earth tones. When you go shopping anywhere in 2020- especially Target and Home Goods- you probably saw whites and creams everywhere. There is something about this color palette that just feels so clean, beachy, and soothing. Going into 2021, I believe we’re going to continue to love some good Earth tones as we balance our lives and reconnect with the new normal. The good news about this trend is that it’s not really a trend. Since it’s inspired by nature, it’s really never going out of style.

7. High Quality Bedding

For a while, people were hype about swapping out cheap Ikea duvet covers on a regular basis. Now, there is more of a transition towards people buying high quality bedding that will last several years. With people staying at home more often, their only option might be to work on a laptop in bed. Or, they indulge in sleeping in or watching movies. So if you spend more time in bed, it only makes sense to make the experience better. People are also looking to buy high thread count sheets, mattresses, and more.

6. European Style Furniture

Ikea introduced Scandanavian style furniture to the masses, and people couldn’t get enough. Nowadays, the Internet has given us access to styles coming out of several different European countries. We’re seeing a trend in people gravitating towards unique European style that we don’t typically see in America. If you’re due to buy a few new pieces of furniture, try to think outside of the box, and explore styles that come from other places in the world. You just might find that you prefer it over what you can find in your local store. However, remember that shipments from overseas are taking a very long time.

5. Wallpaper

Years ago, people associated wallpaper with their grandmother, and wanted to avoid it like the plague. Nowadays, there is a resurgence in using wallpaper in the home, because it gives a sense of style and nostalgia. Only now, people might use it as a statement wall, rather than covering an entire room. Or, they’re looking for a print that’s more fun and bold. They even make wallpaper that resembles a mural, rather than repeating the same pattern over and over. If you’re looking to do a home makeover, consider some wallpaper options.

4. Matching Single Prints

Speaking of wallpaper, another trend going around is matching single prints. Certain print makers like Morris & Co. make both fabric and wallpaper. So it’s possible to get things that match in your room. However, keep in mind that while this might be trendy going into 2021, it’s one of the ones on the list that is likely to fall out of style at some point. Even now, some people might think that this is too much. In the worse case scenario, you can simply keep the wallpaper and swap out the throw pillows or bedding for solid colors. If you like this look, give it a try.

3. Upholstery Made With Long-Lasting Fabrics

In the past few decades, people have purchased furniture made with designer fabrics that don’t necessarily last for a long time. For example, my great-aunt kept plastic on her chairs and couches, because she knew that the silk would wear down very quickly if people actually sat on the furniture on a daily basis. In today’s world, people can’t afford to mess around with frilly fabrics. People need their couches to be upholstered in strong fabrics, especially if they have kids. In her Architectural Digest tour, Jessica Alba revealed that she had her Cloud Couch reupholstered in strong material that would survive with all of her kids using it on a daily basis.

2. Vintage Furniture and Accessories

Earlier on this list, we already mentioned Grandmacore, and how people are blending both the old and the new. Another trend going on is that some people are making their home look very vintage to emulate a certain time period. One person might lean towards mid century modern, while another wants to feel like they’re coming home to the roaring 20’s. There are also so many reproductions of vintage products out there, it’s possible to find something that simply looks old, when it’s actually brand new. For example, I recently bought a vintage style record player for my parents. It fits the style of their old house so well, a lot of people would assume that it was in the house for decades. But the reality is that it’s brand new, has an aux cord, and a built-in bluetooth connection.

1. Global Inspiration

In 2020, we’ve been forced to not just worry about what’s going on in our own country, but the entire world. And many of us are looking into our heritage, or celebrating the differences in our culture, rather than trying to conform so that everyone is the same. The Black Lives Matter movement has also encouraged people to educate themselves on African culture. We’re seeing a trend in people decorating their homes with inspiration they find from around the globe. It’s fun to do this research, and see what jumps out at you. Personally, I’ve learned that I love Mexican embroidery, colorful prints from India, knitwear from Switzerland, and so much more. Bringing these pieces together brings a fuller picture of my style, instead of sticking to what’s available here in the United States.