2021 Trend Watch
We're looking forward to all the things the new year will bring,
from fresh materials to throwback inspiration. Here's what we've got our eyes on for 2021.
Design can be as trendy or as timeless as you make it—and there's no reason to think that what catches your eye today can't stand the test of time. We're looking ahead at what we think is going to be big this year and for years to come.
Oversized Pendant Lighting
Speaking of what's going to be big, oversized pendant lights are forecasted to make a rather large impression on interiors in the months and years to come. We love a pair of huge pendants over a dining room table that includes everyone seated in overlapping pools of light. In a more formal space, this look is manageably modern; the sedate colors and simple silhouettes offset the striking size of the pendants.
But what if sedate isn't your style? We're also into statement lighting on a grand scale, like this flirty and fluttery pendant in a cool modern living room. Designs like this add movement to the room with a lightness of material that bounces on the breeze and visual breaks thanks to all the negative space those ribbons contain. Who knew a large black pendant light could look so dreamy? (Hint: We did.)
Playing with shapes in your interior designs lends both structure and fun to the space. Keep it airy with an impressively sized pendant light that's reduced to just a frame. LED technology can make even the biggest pendant lights impossibly lightweight, which lets you hang one just about anywhere. Plus, the contrast between the overall size of the pendant and its delicate construction lets you mix and match the furniture below, using visually light and heavy pieces while getting all the light you want over it all.
Curvy Furniture
We're rounding out the trend talk with curvy furniture. While the days of mid-century modern straight lines are certainly not behind us, we're excited to see the later mid-century trend of rounded edges making a comeback. These curvaceous designs look especially inviting in luxe finishes and plush materials like marble and velvet. The concave silhouettes on these sofas lends an inclusive coziness to this open room that's otherwise dominated by straight lines.
Contrast is key in using rounded elements, lest the room start to look like a circus. In rooms with strong straight lines, as seen in many a formal or traditional room's use of crown molding and the like, circular elements soften the space for a lived-in modern look. We love all the curvy elements in this design, with upholstered dining chairs and a rounded dining table that are complemented by round mirrors and flexibly rounded pendant lighting.
You can always add just a hint of any trend you love without too much commitment. This round storage container is lightweight enough to be portable, versatile enough to match any décor (Read: So. Many. Colors.) and round enough to be right on trend.
Natural Materials
Eco-friendly and easy to live with, natural materials are going to be huge long into the future. As many studios focus on lessening their carbon footprints, we're seeing designers make use of natural elements in unusual applications. The fun of a grassy looking pendant light is tempered by otherwise modern styling—but notice the color of the pendant light's buri palm fibers picked up in the elegant beech dining table and chairs. A sense of balance is important in achieving a clean, modern design.
More traditional than wild buri midrib palm, rattan, wicker and cane are surging in the home design sphere. Rattan comes from the same palm as cane but is typically left in a chunky, reedy form like this snug loveseat. Cane is from a different part of the plant fiber, is thinner and used as accents or woven into webbing. And wicker can use rattan palm fiber or any number of other fibers (even synthetics) because it refers to the specific type of weave. Each of these styles lends a casual, outdoorsy vibe when used in interior spaces, and of course they're staples of outdoor living.
We love a mix of natural materials, both in mixing whole pieces each made from different elements or within one design, like a steel chair with rattan arms. Juxtapositions in your design choices look fresh and modern, while changing out a piece or two as trends change can help you refresh any space as you wish.
Modern Eclecticism
Personalization will continue to have a moment as we look ahead. With more people spending more time in their homes than in years past, our spaces are not only calling out for updates—we're also more keenly aware of how they reflect our personalities. Enter modern eclecticism, with a no-wrong-answers approach to making a space your own.
This style might be a little harder to define; it's a know-it-when-you-see-it type of thing. For instance, you might pair an antique mirror with ultramodern molded plastic chairs and pedestal dining table, all under a semi-traditional drum pendant. It's modern like you, to the extreme.
Many eclectic designs will feature a wild piece (or two…or more) that captivates everyone's attention. You can go minimalist with one or two statement items or maximalist with everything showing up loud and proud. Combining design movements, materials, colors and finishes will result in a design style that is uniquely yours. It's all about choosing what speaks to you from an artistic perspective—and having fun.
Brass Tactics
Brass is back, baby, and it's not going anywhere. In fact, we're seeing more brass than ever before in everything from handcrafted lighting designs to furniture and accessories. Even within this material, there are a bunch of options in tone and finish. This hand-smithed steel fixture in a matte brass finish turns the material on its head with a flowing silhouette that even goes outdoors.
A burnished brass tone on this side table complements the rounded edges (there's that curvy furniture trend again) with a subtly light-reflecting sheen across the entire piece. This trend can fit in with the others—peep the natural lighting and décor materials—or seamlessly blend with your existing design style for a quick update.
Even in a cool-toned, ultramodern space, brass detailing is a timeless addition. The solidity of this metalwork is another element of contrast in the room, playing off the delicacy of the glass vessel.
Whether you're going all-out with a fresh start or reworking your existing space for a little pick-me-up, these trends will be popular in the short term and have real lasting potential down the line. We're here to help you interpret more trends you'll love and bring your personal touch to all your spaces.