The year 2020 a.k.a. “The Great Pause”, allowed us to reconnect with our homes and reassess what matters most to us; connection, healing and joy. It gifted creatives the space to recharge and explore new ideas.

Heavily influenced by the previous year, 2021 focuses on playfulness and optimism through pops of colour and candy stripes. We see an intensified desire to create sanctuaries that soothe and heal, and a move towards one-of-a-kind hand made pieces signifies a shift from minimalism to personalisation.

Colour Pop

2021 sees a gradual shift away from stark minimalism to the striking introduction of pop colours. Considered placement of hero pieces in Bauhaus colour palettes give depth and a point of interest without overwhelming a space.

“Super minimal, tonal spaces that don’t have much depth,” are on their way out, shares interior designer Jake Arnold with Lonny.

Candy Stripes

Stripes never go out of style but this year we see them amped up in bold candy colour combinations. There’s a playfulness about them, invoking much-needed joy and cheer.

Make a statement with candy stripes applied to walls, ceilings, upholstery and soft furnishings and add depth by combining variations of stripe.

Crystal Healing

No longer just for the woo-woo hippies, crystals in the home is a key trend for 2021, with an increase in searches for protection crystals seen on Pinterest.

Iconic designer Kelly Wearstler has long been utilising crystals in her furniture pieces from crystal wall sconces to her “Super Luxe Baulble” boxes.

Whether a thoughtfully curated bowl of stones featured on the coffee tables or a hero piece displayed on the mantle or bookshelf, there’s no denying the healing power of crystals.

Wavy

A playful evolution from the organic form, or perhaps a subconscious reminder of the transience nature of life where everything moves in ebbs and flows. Hero furniture pieces such as the Wiggle Side Chair by Frank Gehry’s 1972 and Gustaf Westman’s Curvy Mirror.

Eggshell Blue

More than ever we are seeking refuge in our homes and there is no denying 2020 has left many feeling fragile. Colours are powerful mood boosters, so we look to soothing eggshell blue to give a sense of calm and comfort.

This serene shade of blue complements natural materials such as leather, timber. Calm doesn’t have to read as boring either, eggshell blue comes alive next to a pop of fire-engine red.

“Living spaces are starting to reflect the current situation, and people are embracing calming colour palettes that create a sanctuary in their home,” Laura Hammett

Ornate

While we can’t all live in an 18th-century mansion in the south of France, adding a touch of ornate detailing to your home adds a layer of old-world charm. Think mouldings, patina, gilded trims balanced with modern pieces and materials.

“The idea is to appropriate traditional design elements from centuries past into a contemporary setting” Bed Threads

Shrine

According to Pinterest, there was a 105% increase (year-on-year) in searches for manifestation techniques.

Whether it be carving out a space for yourself to slow down and reset or something more deeply spiritual, we are seeing a focus on shrine-esque spaces in the home.

Defined as “a receptacle for sacred relics”, think candles, heirlooms, photos and treasured pieces collected over time.

DIY

With more time at home and an excess of free-time, 2020 saw a DIY revival. The world embraced craft with zeal. As a result, we saw the value in pieces that we could point to and claim “I made that”, adding one-of-a-kind, personal character to spaces.

The “Great Pause” allowed many a chance to explore their creative side, with at-home play including ceramics, embroidery, paintings. I think we are going to see some exciting design from new players coming through this year.

Borderline

Mixing playful nostalgia with post-modern design, the trend for contrast borders has emerged. Whether it’s piped trimming on lounges or lampshades, or wall and door mouldings. This trend is perhaps an expression of a subconscious desire for boundaries, or simply that it looks cute.

Lounging

The past year has gifted us an appreciation for the often-overlooked joys in life, such as the humble gathering of friends at home. As such, 2021 sees the lounge becoming the focal heart of the home. And not just any lounge but a sunken lounge, providing a cosy insulated space for memorable conversations with loved ones.