The Biggest Home Decor Trends Of 2021

2020 forced everyone to spend a whole lot more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once everyone realized they would be confined to both working and living in their home, they inevitably started to rethink their spaces. Some attempted to tweak and redefine their surroundings in order to be more comfortable and functional. For example, if you aren't fortunate enough to have an extra room for an office, now may be the time to create a designated work area in your home.

This desire for rethinking and revamping living spaces has created an explosion of new home decor trends which range from nature-inspired, to nostalgic, to high-tech options. With everyone so hyper-focused on their home environments, creativity flourished, and the interior decorating landscape has been forever changed. While some of these trends first appeared in 2020, others are brand new. These are the aesthetics that'll shape the rest of the year and will likely continue to inspire well into 2022.

The more relaxed and personalized your space is, the more inspired and productive you will be on the daily. So if you have not made changes, you may want to consider incorporating some fresh, new ideas into your living area. To get started, read on for all the hottest trends that should be on your radar this year to ensure your home looks just as stylish and up-to-date as your wardrobe. Not only will these changes step up the look, they will also make you feel so great.

While late 2020 saw the emergence of a warm and cozy cottagecore look, that trend has been adapted for interiors in what is now being referred to as the "grandmillennial" look. The aesthetic is reminiscent of your grandma's house (hence the name) and involves a keen marriage of old and new pieces for a really great feel. After a period of global uncertainty, it makes sense that many homeowners and renters are drawn to pieces that feel nostalgic and evoke an image of a simpler time.

According to Hideaway by Havenly, a grandmillennial look could include details such as floral wallpaper, antique china and paintings, crocheted blankets, and hints of vintage throughout your space. Heather Goerzen, Havenly designer explained, "This isn't the frilled shabby chic aesthetic, but rather a curation of vintage elements for a space that feels storied, personable and homey."

The best part about this trend is that you can scour local secondhand stores, tag sales, and antique markets to find hidden gems that will work in your living space. To make the look feel current, make sure to incorporate some modern accent pieces as well. In no time at all, you'll be able to create a home setting and personal vibe that will feel comfortable, fresh, and a whole lot of fun. You will be absolutely inspired to start entertaining friends and family in your new, chic grandmillennial home, and your guests will love your new decor. This look won't break the bank, either!

One of the biggest trends of 2020 is undoubtedly carrying into 2021. Last year's decor saw an explosion of natural textures such as rattan, wicker, and caning in furniture and home accessories. QE Home designer Ross Thompson told Insider, "Rattan and wicker details are on their way in," and added, "these natural materials add warmth and lightness to home decor." Consider adding this style to your home in large pieces like headboards and cabinets or with smaller accents like baskets and trinkets. Pick up a rattan mat instead of an area rug for a great touch.

There was also a renewed interest in natural shades for every room of the house. Warm natural colors like terracotta, beige, camel, and the full spectrum of brown shades are much more on-trend than their cooler neutral counterparts. Design experts at Houzz said, "A trend that came up again and again was a renewed interest in shades of brown. Warm taupes, beiges, sands—basically any earth tone is surging in popularity" (via Real Simple). The great advantage about staying in a neutral family for your decorating project is you can add any color you'd like to your table settings and floral arrangements to switch things up for each season or holiday.

The last few years have seen a number of kitchen cabinet trends, from two-toned looks to bright, unexpected shades. If you're refreshing your cabinets in 2021, consider painting them green if you want to jump on one of the hottest kitchen trends. Homes & Gardens declared green "2021's biggest kitchen color trend," and we'd have to agree it works — and works well. 

Green may seem like a bold choice for something as permanent as kitchen cabinetry, but hear us out. While some shades of green don't have any place in a kitchen, hues like sage, moss, and olive are natural picks that almost act like a new neutral. Homes & Gardens noted that if you do opt for a darker shade of green for your cabinets, be mindful of picking light hues for your backsplash and accent colors.

The best part about this trend is that it can be tailored to your tastes, with deeper colors evoking a Victorian feel and lighter colors feeling fresh and contemporary. Dare to be different and don't be afraid to move out of your comfort level. You will be happy that you took a chance on this one!

In 2020, when so many people around the world found themselves spending an extended period of time at their homes, many attempted to bring nature indoors through houseplants. It looks like in 2021 — and beyond — being a plant person will continue to be on trend. Hilton Carter, a plant stylist, gave some pretty great advice on decorating your space in lush greenery (via Veranda). Some of Carter's favorite indoor plants include the philodendron 'Xanadu' and Australian tree fern.

Not only do plants freshen up the air in your home, but they also have been proven to reduce stress levels, help you focus, and even aid in recovering from illness. Whether you live in a poorly lit apartment or a bright and sunny home, there are a number of houseplant options that are sure to absolutely thrive in your particular space. Plants will definitely liven up your space and give it an overall cheerful look and feel. Just make absolutely sure you do proper research before bringing houseplants into your space if you have pets, as some can be toxic to cats and dogs.

'90s grunge has made a reappearance in the fashion world, and one of the staples of the trend is plaid. Tartan skirts — even matching sets a la Cher Horowitz — have recently been seen on runways and in street style, but the look isn't exclusively a sartorial one. Plaid is also making an appearance in trendsetters' homes in the way of subtle accent pieces like throw pillows or larger visual statements like wallpaper.

Designer Mark Lavender explained to Good Housekeeping, "As people continue to stay at home, plaid and printed fabrics from the last century evoke a sense of comfort and happier times." While many of the other big 2021 trends are easy to subtly incorporate into your home, this one is a little trickier. This look should be used with caution, because a single tartan piece might look out of place in an otherwise modern living space. Try out a tartan throw or pillow sham before committing to a larger piece. Have fun with it, and in no time at all, you can pull a look together that really works.

While light, bright, and airy interiors have been popular for years now, 2021 is seeing a return of darker hues. Some of the year's hottest paint colors are dark and moody, bringing a sense of drama and dimension to any space. After spending so much time at home in 2020, people wanted to make their homes feel cozy and inviting, which is easily achieved through painting the walls darker colors like charcoal, burgundy, navy, forest green, or even black. 

According to Insider, although light and neutral paint colors have been trending more recently, dark colors for walls are all the rage. Even HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier from "Home Town" told Insider, "People are less afraid of dark rooms now. I think it's exciting to see more of a return to color on the wall — dark, saturated, moody color." In fact, one of the more recent episodes of "Home Town," Erin expressed her excitement of dark paint colors, explaining that they really make a room pop. It's definitely a bold move to paint your walls black or charcoal, but a dark, striking room really creates a "wow" look.

Smart lighting was a huge trend in 2020, and it looks like it's only getting bigger in 2021. In fact, trend reports suggest that the smart lighting industry was worth 11.23 billion in 2019 and will reach 36.84 billion by 2026 (via Intrado). Smart light bulbs allow you to control your home's lights from your phone or tablet using an app, letting you create the exact mood you want in every room.  They are dimmable, and some even offer the option of the full color spectrum. This means that you can make room feel warm and cozy for a night at home on the couch or bright and energizing when you're trying to blitz through some work or get in a workout. Luckily, since they've taken off in popularity, the price of smart bulbs has become much more accessible. This is a really inexpensive and quick way to give your space a fun, trendy look.

While this trend isn't brand new, it's important to know that it isn't going anywhere any time soon. Blush — also known now as millennial pink—has been popular in interiors as well as fashion and graphic design for the past few years. My Domain called blush the "new black", suggesting it could be used for accent walls, upholstery, and in bright prints. 

The color adds a soft, modern touch to any space. Blush can vary greatly from extremely pale hues which are barely identifiable as being pink to punchier tones that make more of a statement. It can be used for walls in any room of the house but is also a great accent color for those who aren't quite ready to commit to an entirely pink room. It is a very easy color to blend with other colors you'd like to bring into the room.

If there's one specific product that seems to be everywhere this year, it's mirrors. While mirrors are already a staple in bathrooms and bedrooms, mirrors as statement pieces are rising in popularity. Crushing the trend is Anthropologie's Gleaming Primrose Mirror, which has an opulent, ornate look. Oversized floor mirrors make for great selfies, while mantle mirrors add an old-world elegance to any den or living room.

Choose a mirror that fits with your decor style, or consider something that stands out from everything else in the room for the ultimate visual statement. Search through your local antique stores to see if you can find something fabulous to fit your space. While vintage-style mirrors are certainly trending, there are also a lot of modern options to suit your taste. '80s-style wavy mirrors had a moment on social media this year, according to Refinery29. If you want to lean into the natural trend, consider a mirror finished with rattan or bamboo.

If you do decide to hit up some estate or tag sales, you may find a mirror you like that can be easily spray painted to match your decor. Whether you spray the frame black, gold, or white, you can create a designer look that is absolutely perfect for your living space for a great price.

While minimalist interior design has been popular in years past, 2021 is all about cozy maximalism. If you feel as though you accumulated a lot more stuff in 2020, you're not alone. With everyone spending so much time confined to their homes, many found themselves collecting things that brought them joy. Rather than hiding away all of the knickknacks and accessories that show of your personality, put them on display so that the rooms of your home reflect your passions and interests. 

Don't be afraid to mix colors, patterns, and textures in order to create visual layering. According to Apartment Therapy, designer and owner of Right Meets Left Interior Design, Courtney McLeod told the outlet, "Maximalist design is all about expressing your individuality and unique perspective." McLeod continued to say, "Maximalists don't care what the 'Joneses' will think; they design for their own joy, incorporating well-considered and bold color palettes, interesting prints, statement lighting, and curated accessories. For me, it's not about too much stuff in a space — it's about creating a bold and interesting mix for the eye to enjoy."

In order to kept things look cohesive, consider painting the walls white to provide a neutral backdrop or sticking to a color scheme so that the end result looks polished rather than purely chaotic. Your end result will be an eclectic masterpiece, a space that you will truly enjoy spending time in. A minimalistic approach seems to be fading out, and maximalism is in.