2021 Home Decor Trends: 15 of the Latest Interior Design Trends
If you’re wondering what’s new in interior design, you’ve come to the right place! From outdoor living areas to small home offices, we’re going through all of the top home decor trends for 2021 that will help you update your interiors in style.
It’s finally here! Our 2021 list of the top interior design trends!
Every year I take a look at the Pinterest trends list and pick out the ones that relate to home decor to share with you.
This year I took it one step further and also included some of the trends I saw at the last High Point furniture market. (In case you’re not sure what this is, it’s a HUGE conference for furniture makers and interior designers that takes place twice a year in High Point, NC).
I have to say that many of the trends this year aren’t too surprising.
The Trends Summary
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Here are a few of the themes that I saw repeated throughout the list:
- With everyone having to spend more time at home this past year, I’m not too shocked that almost all of the trends are about creating a cozy and comfortable home environment.
- And finding some “alone time” space for yourself.
- Adding touches of luxury that make you feel pampered at home.
- Nature-inspired colors and decor are everywhere! When the world is crazy, bringing nature into your home makes everything feel more relaxing.
Now let’s get on with the details of the interior design trends for 2021.
1 | Blues and greens
If you’ve read the 2021 paint color trends, you’ve already seen this one coming.
All of the trending colors for 2021 are inspired by nature (including the color of the year from most of the major paint companies).
The color palettes include a ton of ocean-inspired blues and leafy greens along with some warm brown and sand colors to add some warmth.
Which all help to make the space feel calm and relaxing. Exactly what we need with all the craziness going on around us!
2 | Indoor plants
The next one of our 2021 design trends is growing indoor plants.
Not that plants are ever really “out”, but there has been a huge surge in the number of people adding them to their home decor.
They help to soften the edges of a room and literally bring nature indoors.
3 | Modern florals
To carry on the nature-inspired theme, modern floral prints are big…both in size and popularity.
Look for them in artwork as well as fabrics on furniture and drapery. Like these awesome embroidered chairs* from Grandinroad.
4 | Bird and animal motifs
Similarly, bird and animal motifs are also a new home trend for 2021.
Which is good news for me since I love a good animal print!
They add some pizzazz and visual interest to any home design.
5 | Warm metals
Decorating with warm metals (especially brass and copper) is on the rise this year.
With all of the cooler paint colors, these metals add some warmth to your living space.
According to Pinterest, even searches for Copper cookware are up 35% over last year.
6 | Luxurious finishes
One of the easiest ways to make yourself feel pampered at home is to add a few luxurious touches to your decor.
That could be using a different sheen of paint on the walls. Lacquer adds shine while matte adds more texture.
Or buying a velvet sofa.
Or putting down a plush area rug.
Speaking of area rugs, how cool is the one in this picture? It’s actually tiles so you can make it the exact size you want. And if any of them happen to get stained, it’s easy to swap out the square with a new one.
I also love the pops of brighter colors that keeps the room from feeling too monotonous.
7 | Maximalism
After many years of the minimalism trend, maximalism is finally having its time in the spotlight.
Maximalism is all about adding personal touches to your room that tell a story, mixing old with new, and going bold with colors and patterns.
A great way to create a space which is one-of-a-kind and totally you.
8 | Mixing mid century modern and traditional styles
Mid century modern decor has been trending for a few years, but now we’re seeing it mixed with more traditional styles.
When people are looking for a sense of security, they often think back to good memories of their childhood home or even grandma’s house.
And bringing those traditional and vintage details into your own home helps to re-create that feeling of stability.
Mixing it with more modern design elements keeps it from looking old.
9 | Colored glassware
Colored glassware is another one of the trends Pinterest is predicting. Apparently searches for them are up 135% on the platform.
I think the vintage look and feel of these glasses goes along with the last point of bringing more traditional elements into our homes.
They have that feeling of old times and better days.
10 | Wicker furniture
The next one of our 2021 home decor trends is wicker furniture.
It’s informal look and casual feel is perfect for creating a laid back atmosphere in any room.
Especially if you’re going for a coastal or beachy vibe.
11 | Zen bathrooms
Zen bathrooms is one of the trends that I would have been shocked NOT to see on the list.
To me, there’s nothing more relaxing than creating a spa-like bathroom in your own home.
And Pinterest agrees. Searches for minimalist bathroom design are up 400%.
12 | Small home offices
With many of us working from home these days, it’s not too surprising that home offices are trending.
And since we’re having to do it inside the space we already live in, small home offices in particular are what we’re looking for.
Whether it’s carving some space out of an open floor plan or turning an under-used room into an office, people are seeking ways to set up a convenient place to work.
According to Pinterest, converting closets into offices has become so popular that there’s even a new name for it. Searches for “cloffice ideas” are up 200%.
13 | Mud rooms
Next up on our latest home decor trends list is mud rooms.
Pinterest reports that searches for “modern mud room” are up 200%.
With everyone around the house more than usual, keeping the entryway clear of shoes and other gear can be a challenge.
I love the look of these lockers and bins that give everyone in the family their own storage space. And you can’t see any of the mess.
14 | Home libraries
I don’t know about you, but when I think of a cozy and calm space, one of the first places that comes to mind is a library.
Which may be why searches for “home library design” is up a whopping 700% on Pinterest.
Even if you only have room for a couple of bookshelves, you can still get the same feeling by adding comfortable seating and good lighting.
According to Pinterest, some people are also using bookshelves as a room divider to create their personal space. Searches for “bookshelf room divider” are up 150%.
Find more home library design ideas HERE.
15 | Outdoor living rooms
I have always been a big fan of decorating your outdoor spaces like they are indoor spaces.
So I completely understand this trend.
When you’re spending a lot of time at home, you want to expand your living space. And when the weather is nice, moving outdoors is an easy way to do that.
You can read some of my ideas for decorating decks and patios HERE.
Other Decorating Ideas You Might Like
Which of the 2021 home decor trends is your favorite (or not-so-favorite)? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on March 1, 2021 but was updated with new content on February 2, 2024.
Where are the carpet tiles sold, in Section 6.
Hi Madolyn…sorry, I meant to add the link to the post. You can find those carpet tiles on flor.com (here’s the link: https://www.fromhousetohome.com/teal-carpet-tiles/)