While isolating in our homes throughout 2020 we began to notice how our interior spaces affect our moods, ability to work and comfort. We were forced to reimagine our spaces to meet our demands of our new lifestyle 2020 gave us, whether it was the need for a functional home office or a new living space. Keep reading to find out what the best of the best interior designers and Merino Homes, Katie Gleeson forecast for 2021.

We all made our living spaces work for us last year and many rooms were used for multiple purposes. We used our living room for our workspace and our kitchen for the kids classroom! This year, people will be rethinking their homes with multipurpose spaces for whatever the years decide to throw at us!

2021 is the year to have fun with so many decades of amazing designs behind us. Homes are starting to be filled with beloved items paying tribute to all styles of our past. For a home wanting to be on trend this year I would recommend filling your space with warm, earthy desert tones complimented with one or two bold period pieces to tribute a style era true to your heart, no matter what the age. When bringing a period piece into a space, the general rule is “go big or don’t bother going home”. Little accent items are not the place to be paying tribute, you must focus on hero pieces such as, stone selection, large feature lighting, oversized furniture, something that falls into the category of “work of art” rather than little pieces that can not hold their own in large spaces. The thing I am loving about style at the moment, whether you’re giving yourself a wardrobe overhaul or a home makeover, is the abundance of textures. My two words for 2021 are “Touch and feel”.  To make your stylish house feel more like a home I recommend mixing textures; velvets, linen, leather, rattan and greenery such as plants, the options are endless. There are no restrictions except the golden rule of keeping everything in the same tone and make sure you have fun while doing it.

Kate Lester interiors says “2021 is going to be all about livable luxury. So many people have had to transition over the past year, that they are rethinking less-used spaces and embracing furniture concepts that play double duty. This year will be all about durable fabrics, comfortable upholstery, and furniture pieces that are versatile and chic”

Millennials are growing tired of same same spaces. White on white interiors and the pressure to be “modern” and are instead seeking respite in the revival of traditional styles. Just like feminine florals, gingham prints, puffy sleeves and frills are back on the catwalk, chintz, micro florals wicker and cane furniture, antiques, fringing and wallpaper are back in Vogue thanks to a new trend known as Grand Millennial style.

Lauren Li, Interior designer and founder of Sisalla predicts that we will see a renewed appreciation for things made by hand as we seek an antidote to our hi-tech, digital lives. “We will see a lot of strong textures such as more rustic looking wood where we can feel the grain and natural stone full of character,” says Lauren. “We will embrace the imperfections of authentic natural materials and move away from look-alike materials like porcelain with a marble look and sleek looking man-made surfaces. We want to see and feel materials with natural textures like wool, linen, wood and stone – the opposite of the screens we spend a lot of hours looking at.”

“During this time in the middle of a pandemic we feel uncertain and frankly, things are looking bleak. The last thing we want is for our homes to look dull and depressing especially as we’re spending more time than ever at home.” Lauren predicts we’ll be seeing Interior trends move away from colourless shades of grey, black and white that makes us feel nothing. “More than ever, we need to feel optimistic, so we turn to yellow. Yellow is a friendly colour, its happy and a little simple.”

It’s the time of strongly veined marble, the busier the better for unmissable luxury and next-level style. If there’s one thing that’s storming the style charts and shaking up interiors, it’s the return of marble.

“Handle less kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest trends for 2021 for more pared back, streamlined look. It’s all about simplicity and a focus on cabinetry details” explains Busola Evans, kitchen and Bathroom Supplement editor.

Now that taps are available in a wide choice of colours and finishes, sinks are following, too. Aesthetics have made an impact in wet areas just as they have in furniture and appliance design, with colour, shape, size and material heavily influenced by the overall look of the room.

“Introducing 3 nurturing palettes that evoke familiarity and comfort: Retreat, Nourish and Reset. From homely aesthetic to rejuvenating hues, these trends look to create a sense of renewal whilst holding onto nostalgic elements in your home.”

Nourish encourages us to unplug and be present in the moment. Indulge in a nurturing palette that revitalises your home and nourishes the soul.

With a homely aesthetic, retreat draws on a nostalgic mix of comfort and security. From sleeping to eating and working to work out – most homes are becoming the interior hub for many busy, action packed days. What was once a place for rest and relaxation now embodies a living environment of family, work and play.

With uplifting colours and a bold sense of renewal we welcome the new normal with open arms. It’s time to renew ourselves, by embracing unified colours and retro influences.