Top 5 Interior Design Trends For 2021: The Looks We Love

If your home is in need of a revamp, or even a simple refresh, take a look at these top interior design trends for 2021 and be inspired. We’ve had a long year – to say the least – so looking ahead at the trends for 2021 is a welcome escape. It’ll be interesting to see where 2021 takes us, but we’re certainly excited about the growing trends in interior design. Here, we’re taking a look at the top interior design trends, predicting everything from colour schemes and materials to furniture and flooring. These trends are based on the 2021 Modsy Trend Report, a reliable source of forecasting for designers and homeowners alike.

With their predictions in mind, these are the top 5 interior design trends to look out for in 2021…

Top 5 interior design trends for 2021

Classic tradition

After the year we’ve had, it’s no wonder people are going back to the comfort and familiarity of tradition. Author Fiona Wright says traditions and rituals help us feel calm and content, and give us a sense of security and control in our often stressful lives. It makes sense, then, that after the mayhem of 2020, we’ve gone back to the comforting experiences of our past. In terms of interior design, the long for classic tradition means we’ll see things like classic art, antiques and furniture with history or sentimental value. Expect soft furnishings, symmetry and a move away from bold geometric prints, and towards things like stripes and gingham. This trend is all about making your home feel welcoming and comfortable.

Image by @verandamag on Pinterest

ALSO SEE: Why The Hygge Design Trend Is All The Rage In 2020

Cottagecore

Similar to classic tradition, the cottagecore interior design trend also focuses on comfort and homely style. Tapping into the nostalgia and serenity associated with quaint cottage life, this trend is a combination of vintage chic and cosy cottage aesthetics. Expect a calmer colour palette, with pastel shades and plenty of cream and white. Layered fabrics and furnishings also work well with this trend as there’s no such thing as too cosy when you’re looking for comfort. Overseas and in colder climates, the theme of cottagecore might be more pronounced – think Beatrix Potter and Jane Austen comeliness. Here in SA, though, we’re likely to see a nod to white-washed fishing cottages on the old Cape coast – wooden floorboards, stone walls, exposed ceiling beams, pale upholstery and an airy atmosphere. One thing this trend incorporates no matter where you are? Loads of indoor plants.

Image by @perfecthideaways on Instagram

Distant shores

Now isn’t this what we’re all dreaming of? Packing a suitcase and jetting off to a distant land filled with humidity and vibrant life? The ‘distant shores’ trend is all about escapism and bringing a touch of far off wonder into your home. If we can’t actually visit these fantastic places ourselves, we might as well create a similar atmosphere from the comfort of our own homes. With this trend, we’re looking at tropical prints and lush colours, bright florals offset by a contemporary edge. With a few tweaks to furniture and accessories, you can create a Moroccan sanctuary or island-style escape in your own living room. And, it wouldn’t be a 2021 trend without one key element – house plants!

Image by @SmithHonig on Pinterest

ALSO SEE: Absolutely Blooming: Floral Decor Ideas To Give Your Home A Fresh Feel

Back to nature

For those of you who prefer simpler colour palettes and subtle finishes, there’s a 2021 interior design trend to suit you, too. The Modsy trend report predicts that home owners the world over will get back to simpler ways of living. Out of necessity, yes, but also because of the calming influence nature provides. We’re likely to see homes decorated with more natural materials, featuring things like lighter wooden floors and furniture as well as fabrics like cotton, linen and even leather. It’s all very peaceful and organic with the ‘back to nature‘ trend. Here, you can add depth to a space with texture and greenery.

Image by @coricraft_sa on Instagram

Conscious design

This year, we’ve really started to think about what we buy and how it impacts the world around us. We’ve seen the conscious design trend take off in the fashion world, and now it’s becoming more popular in interior design, too. Ethically-produced products are sought after, as are sustainable fabrics like hemp, linen, organic cotton and bamboo. This ties in with the boho-inspired decor trend that we’ve seen more and more of in 2020. Trend forecasters predict that this move towards considered, conscious design will impact every aspect of our lives. And the trend shows no sign of slowing down. It’s predicted that people will buy more from small local entrepreneurs rather than supporting big chain stores. And will pay attention to how each piece was made and what it’s made from – even if it means having fewer items in your home. All good news in our books, for sure.

Image by @thestorer.co on Instagram

ALSO SEE: How To Turn Your Home Into A Sanctuary: 6 Simple Tricks