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March 2021 ELEVATE Magazine: New Design Trends in 2021
It has been a full year now of dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Since then, we have come to expect a lot more out of our home space. Many of us have transformed areas of our homes into a home office, gym, classroom, and the backdrop of innumerable Zoom meetings. Our homes must serve multiple purposes now and in the foreseeable future. So, it is not too surprising to see that many homeowners are rethinking what they truly want out of their home layout. Many are seeking to incorporate more functional, at-home living spaces.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
The open floorplan concept has been a long-lived design trend that has appealed to many homeowners. This concept typically combines the main living room area, kitchen, and dining areas into one open, undivided space. The idea behind it is to create a spacious home layout that is visually pleasing, while better utilizing square footage. By eliminating hallways and doorways, homeowners create a centralizing, unified area better suited for entertaining and family time. Prior to the pandemic, this design trend worked beautifully, and was highly sought after. However, 2020 marked the beginning of a new era.
REDEFINING LIVING SPACES
As people started to spend more time at home, the need for privacy and quiet spaces has emerged. It has become more difficult to for a home to service so many different roles with no separation of the space. Most people who work from home can testify that distractions are everywhere, and when you combine your workspace, with your kitchen space, with your rest space, distractions only multiply. Designers are now using more room dividers, area rugs, and curtains to add more division in open layouts.
Designers expect these changes to impact the way we live and work for years to come. Some home builders are predicting that the open-concept floor plans will phase out of popularity. Buyers are searching for multiple, smaller spaces with more separation and privacy. We are now seeing more design features such as alcoves, pocket doors, and sliding partitions. These designs enable homeowners to have more functional space and to section off rooms as needed. In addition, home offices used to be an optional home design trend, but they are now more of a necessity than ever before. However, the design has become more flexible due to necessity. Not everyone has a dedicated room to use as a home office, so alternative workspaces have also become more popular. Home staging trends show more room divisions to accommodate an office space, and sales of privacy screens, bookshelves, home office supplies, and room dividers are on the rise.
GOODBYE OPEN SHELVING
The idea of open shelving has been very popular as an easy solution to organize your things and to readily see what you have. However, this trend is now starting to shift as homeowners want to have less things on display. Less clutter, removal of extra-large furniture, and fewer decorations and knickknacks creates a cleaner look. Streamlined spaces and clean, organized rooms have been proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels – something we could all benefit from. The desire to have fewer things on display has many seeking furniture that includes built in storage as well, such as a coffee table with doors to reduce clutter.
OVERLY MODERN SPACES
The modern look of all white kitchens with stainless steel appliances has been a wildly popular trend. Although this style remains popular, designers are seeing a trend that adds more of a cozy feel, mixing both warm and cool shades with a vibrant pop of color that represents the owners’ style. Since people are spending more time at home, design trends are turning more eclectic, representing one’s own personal style, featuring regional trends, special oneof-a-kind treasures, and unique fixtures.
Designers anticipate that this trend will continue, with homeowners gravitating toward mixing and matching colors and finishes for a more unique and memorable design. Considering this, when selling a home, it is advised to keep personal touches neutral, and keep the home looking clean, warm, and simple.
“Even if you don’t have immediate plans to buy or sell your home, we advise our clients to be mindful of modern design preferences when planning a remodel or even redecorating,” said Brian Best, Realtor® with Sun and Sand Living, Exit King Realty. “Overpersonalized or unpopular renovations could lower your property’s value. And selecting out-of-style fixtures and finishes could cause your home to feel dated quickly.” COZY UP
If you could pick one word to represent new design trends in 2021, it would most like be COZY. The need for cozy settings seems to be at the top of the list, with homeowners wanting comfortable spaces in their home to work, play, and unwind. Comfortable settings translate to a comfortable state of mind, and the need to relax is high on the list. “Universal” styles are giving way to more personalized color choices as well. We are now seeing the popular ‘50 shades of only gray’ phasing out. Warmer, cleaner, brighter palates, combined with softer and more plush materials, are now in vogue. Popular color choices follow regional trends, but a universal design theme showcases a variety of soft whites and beiges to create warmth, layered with natural wood finishes, and neutrals with soft green or blush undertones. New shades gaining popularity are coastal blues and teal shades, brownish-gray neutrals, and soft, muted yellows.
Photo Credit: Robb & Stucky, robbstucky.com, PGI Homes.
Other ways to make a home cozy include incorporating fluffy pillows, silky throws and small faux-fur rugs, and more natural light. Of course, the definition of a relaxing color palette will differ from one person to the next but choosing cozy and happy shades that reflect your personal tastes and convey a feeling of comfort, and wellbeing is a definite 2021 design trend.
DECORATIVE LIGHTING
Unique and artful lighting has become a very popular trend in living rooms, dining areas, and even in bedrooms. We will continue to see a mix of materials, finishes, and styles of lighting that reflex fun and whimsical designs. Bold, artistic looks are taking center stage. Metals of all colors are making a comeback, such as dark black, oil rubbed bronzes, brass, chrome, and gold. Extra lighting overall is another new trend – adding brightness to each room, and light fixtures themselves are being added to rooms like a fun statement piece of jewelry.
OUTDOOR OASIS
Floridians have the privilege of enjoying the outdoors pretty much all year long. So, when spending more time at home, it’s not surprising that many have chosen to make their backyard their own outdoor oasis. Whether you have a few acres or a few feet, the trend of turning our patios and decks into an outdoor getaway is strong. Sales for outdoor firepits, outdoor kitchens, lawn chairs and even outdoor heaters (for those chilly Florida nights), have all increased during the pandemic. Some outside home additions such as an outdoor kitchen or even a swimming pool add a great deal of entertainment options, but of course, they come with a big price tag. But even adding a screened-in lanai, outdoor dining area, fire table, or extra chairs can create a peaceful outdoor setting that that enables homeowners extra space – either to entertain safely or just have some quiet time.) By making these comfortable “getaway” areas in your own home, you can create more space to relax and unwind, making staycations a more popular vacation option these days.
Whatever your personal preferences are, the overall trend for 2021 seems to be focused on making your house your “dream home,” in whatever way, shape and form that works out for the homeowner. Because trends have become less universal, if you’re even considering selling your home, its best to invest your decorating dollars in what you want, versus attempting to guess the market. “Certain upgrades definitely impact the value of your home in a positive way and buyer preferences vary greatly by neighborhoods and price ranges,” added Best. “However, if you’re in the market to sell, it’s best to hold off on any major renovation and ask a Realtor® that you trust to offer advice on how to best maximize the return on your investment.” •
Photo Credit: Robb & Stucky, robbstucky.com, John Cannon Homes.
Photo Credit: Robb & Stucky, robbstucky.com. PGI Homes.
SOURCES
1 | https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/12/21/2020-has-killedthese-3-home-design-trends 2 | https://www.houzz.com/magazine/36-home-design-trends-readyfor-takeoff-in-2021-stsetivw-vs~142229851 3 | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-end-of-open-floorplans-how-homes-will-look-different-after-coronavirus-301080662. html 4 | https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/08/ staging-home-cozy-latest-pandemic-inspired-trend 5 | https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/5-hot-homedesign-trends-for-2021 6 | https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/12/17/5-timely-homedesign-trends-for-2021
