8 Interiors Styles We May See More of in 2021
What sorts of looks have you noticed bubbling up in the background of Zoom calls or here on Houzz? Any of these?
Kate Burt
25 January 2021
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
There’s always talk of new looks we’re predicted to be going nuts for – and on social media there are plenty of interesting ideas doing the rounds right now, from ‘cottagecore’ to the return of shabby chic – but which ones will live up to the hype and take off? Here, we round up some of the most talked-about styles and ask: will they make it into our homes in 2021?
Japandi
Japandi has been described as Japanese minimalism meets Danish ‘hygge’ – or ‘Muji meets Ikea’. The idea is that welcoming and comforting colours and textures come together with the simple, spartan lines that typify a certain strand of Japanese interior design.
With a renewed focus on spending time at home, as well as a yearning for calm amid the chaos that characterised 2020, it could be a winning mix.
Japandi has been described as Japanese minimalism meets Danish ‘hygge’ – or ‘Muji meets Ikea’. The idea is that welcoming and comforting colours and textures come together with the simple, spartan lines that typify a certain strand of Japanese interior design.
With a renewed focus on spending time at home, as well as a yearning for calm amid the chaos that characterised 2020, it could be a winning mix.
Cottagecore
This was one of 2020’s much-hyped interiors movements – an idealised interpretation of a simple rural life. But will it have legs in the real world, not just on social media – and, if so, what shape will the look settle into?
Here’s a great example of what fans of cottagecore have been drawn to so far – crocheted granny blankets, vintage florals, and pattern layered over pattern. It’s a style that taps heavily into nostalgia, which can be comforting during uncertain periods. Will you be dusting off your chintz?
This was one of 2020’s much-hyped interiors movements – an idealised interpretation of a simple rural life. But will it have legs in the real world, not just on social media – and, if so, what shape will the look settle into?
Here’s a great example of what fans of cottagecore have been drawn to so far – crocheted granny blankets, vintage florals, and pattern layered over pattern. It’s a style that taps heavily into nostalgia, which can be comforting during uncertain periods. Will you be dusting off your chintz?
Maximalism
Closely linked to cottagecore and also to the idea of personalisation as a non-trend (something we looked at in this story), maximalism is about filling your space with the things you love… ALL the things you love.
Of course, it’s not really quite that simple – to create a room as Houzz Tour-worthy as this takes a design eye – but gathering together your most-loved pieces is the perfect way to start.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Closely linked to cottagecore and also to the idea of personalisation as a non-trend (something we looked at in this story), maximalism is about filling your space with the things you love… ALL the things you love.
Of course, it’s not really quite that simple – to create a room as Houzz Tour-worthy as this takes a design eye – but gathering together your most-loved pieces is the perfect way to start.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Warm colours
In line with our need to cocoon somewhat recently, as well as a growing awareness of green issues and the benefits of a connection to nature, there’s been a move towards earth-toned colours.
This kitchen demonstrates the idea perfectly, with its soft shades of charcoal, terracotta and bare wood. We’re also seeing more and more rooms featuring burnt orange, ochre and muddy browns. Are you leaning towards an earthy palette, too?
In line with our need to cocoon somewhat recently, as well as a growing awareness of green issues and the benefits of a connection to nature, there’s been a move towards earth-toned colours.
This kitchen demonstrates the idea perfectly, with its soft shades of charcoal, terracotta and bare wood. We’re also seeing more and more rooms featuring burnt orange, ochre and muddy browns. Are you leaning towards an earthy palette, too?
Shabby chic revisited
Could this enormously popular rustic look from the late 1980s and 1990s – typified by artfully peeling paintwork and vintage-look accessories – be coming back into favour?
This time, it’s looking less twee and is more about creating a country look – think natural textures, such as aged wood, and more celebration of genuinely repurposed or recycled pieces, rather than new items made to look old.
Could this enormously popular rustic look from the late 1980s and 1990s – typified by artfully peeling paintwork and vintage-look accessories – be coming back into favour?
This time, it’s looking less twee and is more about creating a country look – think natural textures, such as aged wood, and more celebration of genuinely repurposed or recycled pieces, rather than new items made to look old.
Imperfection
As an off-shoot to a lock-stock shabby chic look, we may also start to see individual accent details or surfaces looking less polished or ‘perfect’, without a whole room taking on the style.
Along with ‘distressed’ surfaces and well-loved second-hand pieces, new finishes with ‘imperfect’ detailing are emerging. This is particularly true when it comes to tiles, where colour and texture variations, as shown here, are growing in popularity.
As an off-shoot to a lock-stock shabby chic look, we may also start to see individual accent details or surfaces looking less polished or ‘perfect’, without a whole room taking on the style.
Along with ‘distressed’ surfaces and well-loved second-hand pieces, new finishes with ‘imperfect’ detailing are emerging. This is particularly true when it comes to tiles, where colour and texture variations, as shown here, are growing in popularity.
Bold florals
How far will our desire to include nature in our interiors go? We’ve seen a number of projects popping up on Houzz recently featuring very bold floral designs, including this kitchen wall and, below, a similarly oversized bedroom treatment.
There’s a link here to cottagecore, but the depiction of flowers is modern rather than whimsical and nostalgic.
How far will our desire to include nature in our interiors go? We’ve seen a number of projects popping up on Houzz recently featuring very bold floral designs, including this kitchen wall and, below, a similarly oversized bedroom treatment.
There’s a link here to cottagecore, but the depiction of flowers is modern rather than whimsical and nostalgic.
We predict this idea will proliferate, but in many different ways. Think giant flowers on headboards, floral fabric sofas and chairs, and lots of foliage on smaller accessories, such as cushions.
Slouchy furniture
When you spend a lot of time at home, it must, above all, be comfortable. As a knock-on from 2020, perhaps, when our main collective activity was staying at home, we’re seeing lots more sofas with squishy cushions and relaxed linen covers.
Look out also for large-scale beanbags and soft, textured rugs that invite you to lie on them.
Read more:
10 Interior Design Styles ExplainedQuiz: What’s Your Interior Design Personality Type?
Tell us:
Which looks, styles and ideas do you think we’ll see more of in our homes in 2021? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
When you spend a lot of time at home, it must, above all, be comfortable. As a knock-on from 2020, perhaps, when our main collective activity was staying at home, we’re seeing lots more sofas with squishy cushions and relaxed linen covers.
Look out also for large-scale beanbags and soft, textured rugs that invite you to lie on them.
Read more:
10 Interior Design Styles ExplainedQuiz: What’s Your Interior Design Personality Type?
Tell us:
Which looks, styles and ideas do you think we’ll see more of in our homes in 2021? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Indeed Sophie... And why live with neutral walls for years just to be 'market ready'.... if you long for a bold colour scheme, The new owners are going to redecorate anyway no matter what the colour was....
Maximalism, minimalism, colour trends, this or that look, what matters is how a room makes really feel. I do admire different styles and Houz is brilliant for ideas but at the end of the day I like to project myself in the pictures and ask myself ‘would I feel good’ living there and not ‘ will people admire my home? and, am I on trend?’
Absolutely Marie....