Why Nostalgia is Going to Be the Interior Design Trend of 2021
Whether the events of 2020 have driven us to recall simpler, halcyon days or if we have simply grown tired of sparse, minimal designs, next year looks to be the year of retro interior design focus. Supporting this changing preference, as the economy seeks to recover after the pandemic and growing concerns of climate change become more widespread, there is greater demand for low-cost and sustainable furniture, leading homeowners to source second-hand furniture, often items that can be repurposed and upholstered, saving on financial and environmental costs.
We’ve put together a list of the trends already growing in popularity as we approach the end of the year, ones which are sure to thrive in 2021, drawing from the best industry sources. So, if you’re planning a renovation or spruce within the home in the near future, here are the nostalgic trends that will be sure to be celebrated.
Dark Wood
For many years antique dealers have been storing dark wood furniture or simply selling it cheaply to free up space for more popular and lighter alternatives. We have experienced a decade of celebration light wood, admiring teak furniture in Scandinavian-style apartments supporting neatly arranged houseplants. Now, dark wood is coming back.
Not only is it currently cheaper but it emanates a sense of style, refinement, and nostalgia. While it remains relatively cheap, it will also be snapped up by frugal designers before the demand grows.
Bold and Brave
Muted colours have become associated with minimal and clean design, the type often seen in Kinfolk Magazine. Turning away from this, there is now greater demand for colour, and not only in furniture but painting and lighting too.
White walls are being painted over with bold and brave statement colours that turn a home into a brand. Instagram influencers are priding themselves on stunning yellow backgrounds and rooms illuminated with pink and purple tints. If you want to stand out, spare white rooms simply won’t cut it anymore.
Activity Spaces
As we begin to see greater demand for larger, rural property, with it comes the desire for the room to enables activities. Many businesses remain closed and residents continue to be wary of attending their favourite restaurants and gyms, which is why it seems more people are bringing them into the home. Whether this is an open-plan kitchen to entertain friends or a film-screening room built into a garden-based log cabin, we’re seeing more spaces dedicated to activities appear, simulating the inaccessible venues we miss.
Repurposed Industrial
The desire to repurpose cheaper and older products into our interiors is now manifesting itself in unusual ways. Brick-effect tiles, or butcher tiles, are being painted and incorporated into more than just kitchens, they’re also cheap and creative alternatives for bathrooms too.
Other industry items are also being to appear in homes as plastic loses its appeal among environmental concerns. Wood has long been a welcome addition to homes, bringing with it a sense of organic design and nature. Now metal and glass area joining it too.
Natural Light and Openness
On the back of lockdown, there is now a greater demand for open homes that welcome in natural light, deterring the need to rely on electricity. We have seen nature being brought into the home with a huge rise in houseplant popularity. To support our growing plant collections and help us feel more in touch with the natural world, we need homes to match. Large windows, higher ceilings, and fewer divides help us to achieve this.