We Predict the Biggest Home Design Trends for 2021 (Hello Zen Vibes and Home Offices!)

There are plenty of reasons to look forward to 2021, especially when it comes to the home. After a year that guided many of us to spend more time at home, the new year is an opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to our living spaces. From calming Zen room ideas to stylish (and smart) approaches to home office design, we’re predicting 15 of the biggest interior design trends for 2021.

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West Elm

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Grandmillennial Grandeur

“Grandmillennial” (i.e. modern takes on granny-chic design) style might be a bit of a surprising trend on the surface (it’s the exact opposite of sleek, modern minimalism) – but it actually fits in well with what we’re currently craving in our homes. Cozy details a la grandma’s house, pretty florals and elegance definitely have a place in the 2021 design landscape. A simple, stylish way to light up this trend? Try a table lamp with a throwback-cool pleated shade. Deliah Table Lamp – Small, West Elm, $239.

living room with purple chairs and green plant in white planter on table

Amazon Canada

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Plenty of Plants

It seems like 2020 was the year that many of us went back to basics (hello, baking bread and green thumbs), and chances are that these primal habits will continue to grow in 2021 – especially when it comes to indoor plants. Incorporating house plants into your decor can help refresh your air and brighten your mood, and you don’t necessarily need to get too fancy (or hire a plant stylist) to create a green home. A few easy-to-care-for indoor plants in a beautiful textured stoneware pot will do the trick. Bloomingville Stoneware Pot With Raised Polka Dots, Amazon, $59.

Amazon Canada

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Zen Garden Vibes

Whether it’s on your balcony or in your backyard, adding Zen-inspired garden details to your outdoor space is a growing trend with good reason. From water features to rock gardens, intentionally creating places dedicated to calm and peaceful vibes can make your home feel way more serene. Water Fountain With LED Light, Amazon, $70.

zen living room with fringed white curtain

Urban Outfitters

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Let in the Light

With so many of us looking for ways to make our lives more comfortable, calm and centred, it makes sense that Zen decor is (and will continue to be) totally on trend. One of the easiest ways to incorporate more peaceful vibes into your living room is to maximize the natural light. Instead of heavy or overly patterned window treatments, take a more minimalist approach with a semi-opaque cotton curtain finished with tassel trim for subtle dimension. Palma Fringe Light Blocking Window Curtain, Urban Outfitters, $82.

dark grey dining room that doubles as a home offie with white tables and wall storage

IKEA

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Multi-Functional Spaces

This year has made many of us rethink how we use our rooms. When spending more time at home, it makes less sense to dedicate whole rooms to just one purpose – especially in smaller spaces. With this in mind, we’re betting that we’ll see creative storage and design solutions to help dining rooms, living rooms and even bathrooms double up as home offices and workspaces. As this dining-room-meets-office shows, something as simple as adaptable hanging storage can help. SKÅDIS Pegboard, IKEA, $24.

minimalist home office with oak wood desk and chair

Wayfair

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A Clean (Work) Slate

Once a work-from-home area is established, setting up the space means a need for design – and we forecast a movement towards home office ideas that focus on uncluttered, minimalist setups. Furniture that’s clean-lined – but still has space to tuck away work-from-home tools – will be on our wish-lists. Almendarez Desk, Wayfair, $217.

West Elm

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Earthy Tones

You’ve probably picked up on one of the overarching themes for home decor in the year to come: a return to nature and earthy inspiration. This feeling extends to colour trends, as warm, comforting colour palettes (think wine reds, golden yellows and sagey greens) take precedence. We love mixing in a bold, autumnal tone with plush bedding for a relaxing bedtime retreat. Lush Velvet Tack Stitch Double/Queen Quilt & Shams Set, West Elm, $449.

Indigo

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Sustainable Sheets

Speaking of sheets, another big bedroom trend is to look at the sustainability of your bedding. Rest and rejuvenation have never been more important, and having bedding that’s comfortable, stylish and sustainable can be a major (but simple) upgrade to your home. Look for bedding made from materials like linen – this naturally hypoallergenic, sustainable linen set is a comfy made-in-Canada option. Flax Sleep Linen Sheet – King, Indigo, $340

minimalist kitchen with tab-edge hardware on brown cabinets

Amazon Canada

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Hidden Hardware

Calming, clean lines aren’t just reserved for your bedroom: minimalist details are increasingly popular in the kitchen. When it comes to kitchen cabinets, less can be more with invisible push-style latches, integrated handles (like those with a bevelled edge in lieu of hardware) or edge-style cabinet pulls. FirstDecor 10-Pc. Tab Edge Pulls, Amazon, $41.

grey bedroom with solid wood headboard and white bedding

Wayfair

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Feng Shui

At its core, the art of feng shui is all about finding harmony, balance and flow – which are all major themes for 2021. Incorporating feng shui principles into your home’s design is a great place to start. For example, you can enhance your bedroom’s feng shui by selecting a sturdy headboard for your bed that’s either upholstered or made of solid wood. Popel Panel Headboard, Wayfair, $249.

modern dining room with textured abstract wall art on wall

West Elm

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Abstract Ideas

Sparking creativity and designed to inspire, abstract art – from statement-making textile wall art to vibrant canvas paintings and literally almost anything in between – is the perfect interior design trend to update your home for 2021. Here are a few timeless tips for picking art for any room in your home. Pieced Fabric Wall Art, West Elm, $450.

white boho bedroom with wicker headboard

Amazon Canada

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Robust Rattan Furnishings

While wicker and rattan have long been furnishing favourites for outdoor living, the coming year will see plenty of woven details making their way into chic indoor spaces. Woven rattan furnishings (and decor) are durable while adding texture and a natural, light feel to a room. While we’ll likely see a lot of rattan seating and light fixtures, we love the tropical-influenced vibes it can bring to the bedroom with a handmade headboard. South Shore Furniture Lilak Rattan Headboard Queen, Amazon, $345.

white ceramic vases and bowl of fruit on counter with subway tiles on wall

West Elm

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Creamy-Hued Ceramics

As pretty as the shine of glass or crystal can be, there’s something that’s simultaneously modern and zen about creamy-toned ceramics – which is why white ceramic home decor pieces (from sculptural vases to plant vessels) are sure to have a moment in 2021. Pure White Ceramic Vases, West Elm, $20 – $150.

Wayfair

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Brighten Up

Sick of life in neutral? Vibrantly hued furniture will bring stylish cheer and charm into your space. Playing with colour – like this vivid red couch – while keeping lines clean and modern is a great way to straddle minimalist and maximalist aesthetics. Modern Velvet Fabric Loveseat, Wayfair, $1,100.

charcoal grey textured wall with gold table and accessories

Amazon Canada

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Walls on the Wild Side

When it comes to interior design trends, we tend focus a lot on what’s between our walls, but what about what’s on the walls themselves? While paint is always popular, textured, bold and unusual finishes like floral wallpaper, fabric upholstery or even a living wall can add a fresh feel to our spaces in the year to come. We love the luxe-yet-striking texture of this faux-crocodile wallpaper. Graham & Brown 32-659 Crocodile Wallpaper, Amazon, $86.