The new year is finally here! Time to get organized, and think about all the things we’d like to accomplish in the year ahead. If you’re like me, you probably have a few projects on your list to refresh and improve your home. With a new year, comes fresh new ideas and trends that might influence your decorating choices. So, let’s talk about the interior design trends that will be everywhere in 2021, and which ones will be fading away. 

Before I start, I want to share my thoughts about trends. We all know that trends come and go. Sometimes trends are so great that we want to incorporate them into our home decorating right away. Other times, we may despise a trend and wouldn’t even consider it! Here’s the thing…it’s your home, and you should decorate it the way you want. If you choose to implement these trends, great! If not…no problem. Focus your efforts on creating a home that you love and that reflects your personality.

Colors

Last week, we talked about the paint colors of the year for 2021, and you could definitely see some color trends emerging. Gone are the days of cooler, medium-toned grays. Instead, the focus will be on warmer, earthy paint colors, and dark, moody hues. Colors like smoky greens, warm dark grays, rusty reds, rich browns, and navy blues will be popping up in designer rooms everywhere. You’ll also see a lot of aquas and soft teals beings used to create relaxing spaces.

What about white walls? Yep, they will still be popular in 2021, for sure, but don’t expect the all-white craze to last too much longer. Rather, you’ll see more off-whites being used to create more softness. And, guess what color is starting to make a comeback? Beige! I don’t think we’ll see a ton of beige emerge in 2021, but it’s coming back, according to design experts.

OUT: Cool grays

IN: Dark, moody, rich, earthy paint colors. Aquas and teals. 

urbane bronze bedroom

Styles

In 2020, we saw three major trends in design styles: Grandmillennial, California Casual, and Art Deco. This year, expect to see Grandmillennial style, lovingly referred to as “Granny Chic,” take center stage. With last year being so uncertain and challenging, there is a yearning for simplicity, and comforts of the past. So, bring out your grandmother’s antique furniture, colorful glass accessories, some floral wallpaper, and drink in the nostalgia. Then, add in some modern-day artwork and furniture with clean lines to create a “fresh” new look in 2021. 
 
grandmillenial style bedroom

Source: Chris Loves Julia

 
One style that design experts continue to argue is going away is Modern Farmhouse. Sorry guys, I know this will pain many of you to hear, but don’t shoot the messenger! Here’s my take on it….I DO think Modern Farmhouse has reached its peak, and will start to fade over the next few years. The design world is just over it, and ready to move on from the slipcovered furniture, shiplap, barn doors, and words-on-everything decorative accessories.  However, it remains SUPER popular with homeowners, and will be a style that continues to be around for several more years to come. So, if you love Modern Farmhouse, then go with it. Just know that, like any style trend, it won’t be around forever.  If I were building a house today, I would think twice about adding shiplap to every wall…just sayin’.

OUT: Modern Farmhouse

IN: Grandmillennial/Granny Chic

Kitchens

In 2021, expect to see a shift away from all-white kitchen cabinetry and countertops. Instead, you’ll continue to see more colorful cabinetry in warm, earthy tones, and two-toned kitchens will still be very trendy.

Wood cabinets are continuing to come back into style. No, not your honey oak cabinets from 1980’s and 90’s – they are most definitely not coming back. I know you’ve been trying to make them work for years, but it’s time to move on. The wood cabinets that are popular today have clean, modern lines, and more muted tones, like the lovely white oak cabinets you see all over Instagram.

studio mcgee two toned kitchen navy and oak cabinets

Source: Studio McGee

Something else that had a big moment, but is now on its way out…open shelving. People have realized how difficult they are to keep clean and tidy, and are once again opting for closed storage. Expect to also see subway tile become less and less popular, as designers embrace backsplashes with new colors, textures, and styles. Subway tile will always be a classic, but it’s just been overused the past few years, and it’s time for something more exciting.

OUT: All-white kitchen, open shelving, subway tile

IN: Light wood, two-toned, and painted cabinets

Bathrooms

Like kitchens, the all-white bathroom trend is fading away in favor of more color and warmth. You’ll see more wood-look tile and wood vanities being used to warm things up. You’ll also see painted vanities in greiges, greens, blues, and blacks to add pops of color. Other trends for 2021 include large format tile, modern floating vanities, and back-lit mirrors and medicine cabinets. 

OUT: White-on-white

IN: Painted vanities, wood vanities, large format tile, floating vanities

wood floating vanity bathroom with wallpaper

Source: Lindsay Hill

 

Wall Treatments

Wallpaper has been a huge trend for several years now, and don’t expect that to change anytime soon! We’ll continue to see wallpaper everywhere, with more floral and vintage patterns popping up in 2021. The best thing about today’s wallpaper is that there are tons of self-adhesive, removable options, which opens the door for renters and hesitant homeowners (who may have suffered through wallpaper removal in the past) to give the wallpaper trend a try. My favorite place to use wallpaper? In dining rooms (especially above wainscoting), kids rooms, and powder rooms for drama.

What trends are fading away? Sorry, but white shiplap is fading out of fashion. Instead, opt for a more traditional wall treatment that has stood the test of time, like board and batten wainscoting. Or, you can paint your shiplap a rich, dark color for a fresh new look.

OUT: Shiplap

IN: Wallpaper

What do you think of the interior design trends for 2021? Are you sad to see certain trends going away, or excited to try a new one? Just remember, trends come and go, so make the changes you love and skip the ones you don’t. One great way to incorporate a new trend is in your accessories, like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork. For tips on how to create a flexible design that will allow you to subtly incorporate trends over time, check out my post on Timeless Decorating.