The hottest design trends of 2021

Jan 4

Welcome to 2021—we made it! I don’t ever recall looking forward to a new year as much as I did with this one. A new year is a great time for reflection, renewal, and perhaps ... a redesign. Here are my top five favourite design trends going into 2021.

REEDED GLASS

Reeded glass, also known as fluted or ribbed glass, is a beautiful way to incorporate visual interest into a space as well as add subtle privacy to its application through the shifting of light. Popular in the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 30s, reeded glass has a timeless and versatile appeal. It can add a sense of luxury to any space—think glass cabinets in the kitchen, the shower wall in the bathroom, a coffee table in the living room, wall sconces in the bedroom… the list goes on. Pair it with brass to create a sense of Art Deco glam or pair it with wood for a warmer, more classic feel.

CHANNELLING

In the same “vein” as reeded glass, channelling lets you take that vertical look beyond glass to other areas of the house. These vertical lines can add detailing and visual interest to everything from kitchen cabinet doors to fireplaces. We’re also seeing channelling on upholstered furniture such as banquettes, chairs and couches, which adds a sense of modernity to your interiors. This trend works well with most upholstery fabrics.

SLAB BLACKSPLASH

Instead of choosing a complementary tile to work with your countertop, run your counter up the wall for a more dramatic impact. With no obvious visual break between counter and backlash, the result is more visually stunning, even with a subtle patterned marble or quartz.

There are also practical benefits to this design trend. No grout lines mean easier cleaning and a longer-lasting finished product as the backsplash grout will dirty and decay faster than the tile. Whether you carry it just partway up the wall or go the full height, a slab backsplash will add a lot more impact to your space.

Adding a shelf made from the same material is a beautiful way to showcase some of your favourite items or a piece of art or to simply hold your cooking utensils. Slabs work wonderfully in bathrooms too. Let’s be honest, there is nothing more irritatingly difficult to keep clean than the grout in a shower stall! Use a slab and problem solved.

A SHIFT TO NATURAL, EARTHY COLOURS

Grey is not going anywhere anytime soon but it is warming up and toning down. Browns are also big this year but with a cooler grey undertone to them. So while greys are warming up and browns are getting cooler, the two colours are starting to collide!

You could also consider sprucing up your walls with more natural earthy tones like greens, copper, rust and wine. The Sherwin Williams colour of the year for 2021 is Urbane Bronze, a more sophisticated brown with an earthy feel.

If painting your walls is too much for you, bring the colours in with smaller furniture pieces or a sofa in a bold colour.

HITS OF GRANDMA’S HOUSE

And I’m not talking plasticizing your sofa or adding crocheted dollies your side tables! Think pretty florals, elegant furniture, cozy quilts and romantic four-poster beds. There is a comfort, familiarity and elegance to this trend from days gone by. Consider adding one or more of these traditional elements to your environment with a contemporary twist.

Floral wallpaper

Part of the Grandma’s house trend, floral wallpapers are getting a modern update with oversized patterns.

Quilts

Also a note from Grandma, quilts are also making a comeback. Maybe it’s all the quilting we’ve been doing during Covid but quilts are taking on a modern resurgence. Make no mistake, these are not the quilts from yesteryear. And they’re not just for your bed. Try hanging one on your wall instead of a traditional piece of artwork or if that look is too much for you, start small with a quilted pillow.

Four-poster beds

Perhaps I’ve been bingeing on far too many hours of Bridgerton and Downton Abby but I can’t help but declare four-poster beds as a trend for 2021. This, too, is part of the “Grandma” trend. The romantic throwback leans more towards a traditional design aesthetic, however, four-poster beds can be incorporated seamlessly into a modern space. With the right mix of complementary modern furnishings and accessories, you can achieve the right amount of romance without all the drama.