10 Design & Renovation Features Every Home Needs in 2021

In 2021, a house is more than just a home base. Our dwellings have become a sanctuary for work, play and relaxation now more than ever – so it’s natural to want to invest our energy into customizing our living spaces. But what decorating trends are out (hint: here’s Scott McGillivray’s opinion), and which renovation ideas are the most practical (and pretty) to spend our precious time and dollars on right now? Whether you’re tackling a major house renovation or just want to know the home design trends that can give your living space a little boost, these are our picks for the top design and renovation features your home needs this year.

sleek white home office area with white floating desk and chair under staircase

HGTV Canada

1 / 10

Office Nook

Work-from-home

spaces are more than a home design trend at the moment – they’re essential. However, not every home is equipped with a separate room for an office, which means carving out creative, purposeful work spaces in the home is key. Here, Brian McCourt and Tiffany Pratt found a smart solution for Family Home Overhaul by adding a floating desk (equipped with plenty of storage) and a modular chair to the otherwise-wasted space under the stairs.

clean, white home gym with TV on wall and gym equipment

HGTV Canada

2 / 10

Work It Out

Working on your fitness? Need space to get a little zen? From home gyms to yoga rooms, fitness spaces are one of the biggest home design trends this year. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated room (like this Save My Reno workout wonderland by Sabrina Smelko and Sebastian Clovis) or you’re carving out a corner in your home, it’s important to keep your gear organized – this easy-to-DIY gym shelf can help.

bright white kitchen with contemporary lights and sleek faucet

Unsplash

3 / 10

Touch-Less Touches

Finding ways to help our homes be a little healthier and easier to keep clean is always a good idea, but it’s top of mind for many of us this year in particular. With this in mind, if you’re renovating spaces like the kitchen or bathroom, consider choosing features like touch-free faucets and voice-activated lighting. Of course, you can take steps to improve your home’s air quality without a big renovation – here are a few fresh ideas.

modern kitchen with black cabinets and dual kitchen islands

HGTV Canada

4 / 10

Double up on Islands

Why settle for one kitchen island when you can have two? From tiered, two-level kitchen islands to dual sister design, double-function islands are actually an ultra-practical renovation idea. People spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so having one island designated for prep space (with features like a sink, dishwasher or storage) and a second island for casual seating – as the Property Brothers beautifully demonstrate here – makes a lot of sense.

organized pantry with white shelves and a variety of baskets and bins in grey-walled room

HGTV Canada

5 / 10

Pantry Goals

We’ve all been eating in way more, so having space to keep your fave foods organized is key. Enter the return of the kitchen pantry. If you already have a dedicated pantry or cupboard space, #pantrygoals could just mean a day of cleaning and organization. If not, this could be the year that you create a new pantry – like this spacious stunner Hilary Farr created for Love It or List It. If you’re not doing a total reno, you can also convert an underused closet or nook into a practical storage space. Ready to get it together? Be prepared: these dreamy walk-in pantries are worth sighing over.

wood-covered outdoor dining space in green backyard

HGTV Canada

6 / 10

Dine Al Fresco

Fresh air and good food – yes, please! Upgrading our home’s outdoor areas is big on many of our bucket lists this year, and outdoor living isn’t just about lounging. Creating an outdoor dining space (like this stunning covered space that Brian McCourt and Sarah Keenleyside created for Backyard Builds) gives you a comfortable place to enjoy a meal outside. Need more inspo? Brian’s rounded up a few more tasty outdoor dining space ideas here.

Getty Images

7 / 10

Go Greener

It’s 2021, and shifting our mindset to be more environmentally conscious is more than a trend. When thinking of renovation ideas and projects, we’re all looking for ways to upgrade our home’s look and feel – while also saving energy and resources. If you’re looking to go big, investing in solar panels or energy-efficient windows makes an impact. Or, you can try your hand at creating your own DIY features, like a rainwater catcher (Brian McCourt shares the details here). Can’t get enough DIY projects? Here are 10 DIY home upgrades to check off your list this season.

open-concept living room and kitchen with medium-brown hardwood floors

HGTV Canada

8 / 10

A Happy Medium

There’s a lot of beauty in finding the middle ground – especially when it comes to flooring. While past home and condo flooring trends have oscillated between super-light and ultra-dark wood tones, more people are choosing warm, mid-toned hardwood flooring this year. Medium brown and neutral-hue woods (like the gorgeous flooring Jonathan and Drew Scott used in this modern-meets-transitional Property Brothers: Forever Home design) bring warmth and lasting style to your space.

spa-like green bathroom with black tub, glass shower and heated wood floors

HGTV Canada

9 / 10

An Ahhh-Worthy Bathroom Spa

If you can’t get to the spa, why not make your bathroom feel as calming, comfortable and downright blissful as possible with spa-inspired upgrades? If you’re up for a renovation, go for luxe features like heated floors (as Scott McGillivray did with this Scott’s Vacation House Rules bathroom) or a deep stand-alone tub. To get the feel without the demo, you can also curate spa vibes by adding wood accents and chilled-out decor.

Pixabay

10 / 10

Bring on the Bidet

This house remodel idea isn’t exactly pretty, but it’s incredibly practical – and, as the 2020 rush on toilet paper showed us – it could be necessary in the future. As Sebastian Clovis explains, bidets are more eco-friendly and long-term cost effective (ahem, no more flushing money spent on bathroom tissue) than traditional toilets. While swapping out your toilet out is an investment, if you’re planning a bathroom reno this year, consider a bidet.