January 7, 2021

Last year saw optimistic, naturally inspired and fun-loving trends at the beginning of January spiral down into neutral tones, comfort items and peace-inducing colors. Looking ahead to interior design for 2021, trends likely will shift again from elements that inspire calm to those that reference change and new beginnings. New York-based interior design firm Wimberly Interiors laid out what they expect to see for this new year.

Earthy Neutrals that Convey Calm and Comfort

After a chaotic 2020, we’re predicting that 2021 will be all about calm and comfort. Natural and organic materials and cool neutral colors with touches of earthy tones are on the way in. Think stone, wooden finishes, recycled and plant-based woven fabrics and touches of greenery. We’re also going to see more open, uncluttered spaces that balance a minimal aesthetic with comfort, warmth and a feeling of home – especially in hospitality design. Objects that are both beautiful and functional or possess special meaning rather than being purely decorative will take prime position.

Blending the Old and New

Curated feature pieces will continue to dominate the interior design space. Over the past few years, we’ve seen consumers move toward buying better-made, longer-lasting statement pieces as opposed to in-the-moment or on-trend counterparts. Spaces should opt for layered and interesting over crisp and clean.

Sustainable Furnishings

The need for resilience in interior design is more than just a trend, it is gaining momentum and is ultimately about the use of materials – tactile, natural, honest and, most importantly, local. Interior design is moving rapidly toward a sense of place and appreciation of available materials and products with a low carbon footprint. It is this availability of resource that is key to the future of design beyond trends.

Adaptation and Reinvention

As this year has laid down in front of us a path of restaurant, hotel and venue closures and abandon, 2021 will be the year of taking those left-behind spaces and turning them into something new, exciting and hopeful. Expect innovation and adaptation in 2021.

Wellness in Interior Design 2021

Wellness has topped trends lists for years – and not just in the travel and hospitality industries. As we begin contemplating our post-pandemic (or next-pandemic) world, wellness is going to be bigger than ever and take on a much more holistic form: health, safety and resilience will become one, and we’ll see designers collaborating more freely with new and unexpected industries and professionals. In the short term, it’ll mean opening windows in guest rooms, saying goodbye to individually packaged plastic bottles for products or water and ensuring a better relationship between the indoors and out through integrated design. Expect spaces to put an extra emphasis on plants in any shape or form. These tap into biophilic design and transport us back to nature after being locked in for so long.

Furniture that Doubles in Functionality

Interior design for 2021 will bring a consciousness of how we conceive private spaces by giving them more flexibility. Think ‘light furniture’ that adapts to different situations with concealed extra functionality to accommodate luxury, comfort and purpose, such as a chair that doubles for dining and working.

An Investment in Art

As many continue to spend increased hours at home, the role of the artwork, textured and natural materials and botanical wallcoverings will become extremely important – especially in spaces that have prolonged hours of use.