8 home and interior design trends to expect in 2021

Cannot wait to say goodbye to 2020? Us too. This year has been unusual, to say the least. The coronavirus pandemic situation has led to socialising restrictions, which saw many of us working from home, having fewer social gatherings and staying indoors a lot more.

The home then has become more important than ever and has in turn define how we use and do up our interior spaces. If you are currently planning for your home renovation, you will want to be looking at some of the home and interior design trends we are predicting we will see more of in 2021.

1. Open plans are giving way to cosier, more intimate nooks

We are entertaining a lot less now, keeping gatherings to smaller groups of people so there isn’t a need for large, open-plan spaces. And as we are all spending a lot more time with the rest of the people at home, we are seeking out privacy and personal areas that we can retreat to.

If you don’t have a lot of square footage to play around with, you can always steal cosy nooks around the home by carving out a bay window seat and putting up an unobtrusive shield for extra privacy.

2. Multipurpose spaces are more important than ever

We are predicting the rise of multipurpose and multifunctional spaces to accommodate everyone spending more time at home. Bedrooms are doubling as home offices, while the lines are blurred between kitchens and dining rooms.

Invest in modular and mobile furniture that can be easily moved around and used in more than one space. Go with custom-made, hideaway carpentry that will allow you to transform your space without taking up extra floor estate when not in used.

3. Home offices take centre stage

As companies are gradually becoming more open to the idea of people to working from home, we are seeing a bigger investment in the home office. People are planning for conducive home office spaces and buying quality and ergonomic home office furniture to make sure they stay productive.

To create a conducive work environment at home, you will want to make sure your home office space is free from unnecessary distractions like the television or the bed.

Plan for or invest in enough storage and organisers to keep the clutter at bay. Get a combination of general, ambient and focused, task lights to ensure your home office is properly lit. Light bulbs with colour temperatures of around 3100K to 4500K offer a bright, white light that is best for productivity.

4. Hobby rooms are now a must-have rather than a good-to-have

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Instead of heading out, people are carving out spaces at home in line with their hobbies and interests that allow them to relax and retreat to at the end of a long workday. Think home libraries, home gyms, gaming dens, home bars or home theatres.

5. People are looking to make their homes smarter

Increasingly, homeowners are making their homes smarter. Whether it’s automated lights or voice-controlled fans, our homes are gradually becoming more futuristic.

In our busy lives, a smart home helps to cut back on chores and make things more convenient and efficient. In the face of the pandemic, a smart home is safer even. How so?

For starters, a smart home tends to minimise touch on surfaces, which helps to decrease the likelihood of bacteria or viruses spreading.

A smart home also enhances security through gadgets like smart locks and smart doorbells, which are increasingly important as we shop online more often and expect more home deliveries.

6. In terms of interior design themes, wabi sabi takes over the Muji style

First there was Muji, now there’s wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is a Japanese worldview centred on the idea of finding beauty in imperfection. Homes here in Singapore are embracing this new look, which is a departure from Muji style’s clean-cut and neat aesthetic.

Instead, wabi sabi welcomes rough edges and unfinished surfaces with a love for natural textures for a more organic look.

7. Wes Anderson vibes are also going strong

If you have seen his movies, you will know that Wes Anderson has a very specific aesthetic. We have seen a number of homes here starting to adopt this particular look and we are loving it.

We can’t quite define this style, but it is audacious with a penchant for the retro, features lots of colour blocking and patterns, and encompasses Art Nouveau inspired hues. Other design elements include curves, symmetry and a hint of whimsy.

8. People are more willing to spend extra on customised furniture

In order to make their homes stand out from the crowd, homeowners are paying a little more to create custom pieces for their home. Generic, off-the-shelves furniture?

So last year. Besides creating a more personal home, customised furniture also allows you to fully maximise your space since dimensions can be adjusted and it can create a more seamless visual experience with the rest of your home’s interior design theme.

If you are looking for customised pieces, we put together 8 places you can get customised furniture from.

ALSO READ: 14 genius features you will want for your small bedroom

This article was first published in Renonation.