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2021 Design Trends What’s In and What’s Out

Every year at this time those in the know proclaim what is in and what is out. After this year, I think we will all will welcome change. Creating more of a haven for the year ahead is on all our minds. For fun this year, Mary Ann, Annie, and I asked our friends, Joni, from Cote de Texas, Sherry from Design Indulgence, and Carla from Aston from Carla Aston Designed to join us and share their thoughts. Let’s take a look at 2021 Design Trends What’s in and What’s Out.

Spoiler alert, when I asked Joni to join us she said I haven’t done one for a couple of years because every year I felt like I was saying the same thing.  If you read my post design trend post last year “Why a Collected Look is Here to Stay”you will note there are many “trend” carryovers from last year.

2021 Design Trends by Six Top Design Bloggers

Let’s begin with Panetone’s colors of the year.,Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. In the words of the peeps at Panetone as to why they chose the two, “As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colors of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience”

Color-of-the-year-Pantone_2021

Very interesting considering everything I read claims that gray is out.  Check back next year on that one. Mary Ann spotted this in her mailbox from BHG, our fixer-upper kitchen featured in Better Homes and Gardens back in 2014. It pops up about every few years. You can read about that here

Let’s take a look at the trends that I think are going to make the cut this year.  I have to tell you I am happy about most of them, Many were on the lists last year including Grand Millennialism. According to the experts, minimalism is out and grand millennialism (or granny chic) is in.  As we look back on a year in which we are reeling from covid, economic distress, and social upheaval, it may be it’s year.

#1 GRAND MILLENIALISIM

The importance of layering of patterns, texture and color mixed with the old and new (a collected look). “Vintage touches and old school patterns are front and center”. It reflects the staying power of good well edited design with a fresh spin, so that it is up to date and unique. Who better to illustrate that than the talented Mark Sikes who brought “sexy” back to traditional interiors.

Mark Sikes designed guest quarters“Real decorating is back in—colors, textures, a mix of old and new. Repurpose things. Shuffle artwork around. Move furniture to another room. Re- accessorize what you have rather than starting over. Keep the pieces that have meaning.” –Kathryn M. Ireland

“Crisp, clear colors are continuing to grow in popularity with yellows, light blues/turquoises, and greens being used to brighten up spaces and put a smile on your face during these challenging times.” -Timothy Corrigan

#2 COMFY OUTDOOR SPACES THAT CAN BE USED YEAR ROUND

We have several “outdoor rooms” at our home. The outdoor fireplace extends the season.

Designer Cindy Hattersley's Outdoor Fireplace and Pool Area

cindy hattersley's outdoor fireplace

We added this little seating area near the fountain that we really appreciated since we were at home constantly.

Designer Cindy Hattersley's Sitting Area in her Garden

#3 THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE INTERIORS

Repurposed woods and surfaces, vintage and antique furniture, and indoor plants.  Lauren Liess is a master of mixing the old and new mixed with elements from nature. 2021 will be a year of attributing meaning to carefully selected pieces—the year of the craftsperson, the artist, the artisan.” -Robert McKinley, Studio McKinley

Lauren Liess designed sitting area on Cindy Hattersley's blog

#4 WARM EARTH TONES

The reemergence of beige and yellow tones as opposed to the greiges. Love the warmth and timelessness of this design by Isabel Lopez Quesada.

isabel lopez queseda designed bedroom on Cindy Hattersley's blog

#5 LIVING ROOMS USED AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES

FOR WORK. PLAY AND ENTERTAINING ,COVID CREATED THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS WORKING FROM HOME IN THE SAME SPACES. This gorgeous living room by Artist William McClure has several areas from which different people could work.

Needless excess is out, functionality and duality in the home is in.” -Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design

Artist William McClure's living room

#6 Rattan, Jute, Textural Elements

This lovely room by South African designer Gregory Mellor incorporates lots of texture. FYI plaster walls are supposed to be back in as well.  That makes me happy.

“I think we will move away from grand, sweeping styles and towards a rawer, more casual aesthetic. Homes will become textural and layered with elements of warmth—grounded elements. I expect that we will see design that is more regional and place-based than ever.” -Robert McKinley

Gregory Mellor Design designed living space

#7 PERSONALIZATION & SELF EXPRESSION

A renewed sense in the importance of bringing meaningful pieces that have been collected or handed down. Antiques, art and items from one’s travels will hold prominence over throw away instant furniture and generic home items. Items that I have collected over the years on my coffee table and mantle.

Cindy Hattersley's family room in her California home

DESIGN BOOKS FOR TODAYS TRENDS

You can find my entire list of design books here.

Read more about what the experts in our field thoughts on design trends in the articles below.

WSJ 2021 Design Trends

VERANDA DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2021

TOP DECOR TRENDS FOR 2021 REAL SIMPLE

Vogue asks the Experts Design Trends 2021

Houzz Ready for Takeoff Design Trends

The Insider What’s Out and Whats In 2021

FORBES WHATS OUT 

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST 2021 TRENDS

Vogue 2021 Interior Design Trends

Homes and Gardens 2021 Trends

Many other trends are mentione, I just covered the ones that I am interested in.

WHAT’S OUT ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS

SHIPLAP OUT/WALLPAPER IN

OPEN FLOOR PLANS

MODERN FARMHOUSE

FAST FURNITURE

WHITE KITCHENS

SINGLE USE SPACES

MINIMALISM

NEUTRALS

GREIGE

FAUX ANYTHING

TERRAZZO

MID CENTURY MODERN

Thank you for reading 2021 Design Trends What’s In and What’s Out.  When you have time read some of the articles above.  The important thing to keep in mind is to enjoy your home, be comfortable with your own style, and don’t worry about trends.  I think the takeaway from this year’s design trends.  Trendy is out,  There how is that for wisdom! Alexa Hampton spoke at the last conference we attended. We adored her,

“During this time of the pandemic and deep social unrest, I think we’ve all learned the importance of our home—or where we’ve made one—and the need to find the joy inside of it,” says designer Alexa Hampton. “Whereas, once upon a time, the home was where the heart was; now, home is also where the work is done, where the lessons are learned, where the food is cooked, where the drinks are raised, where the entertainment is had, and where the heart is. If we can ask this much of our homes, then we owe it to them to give them the attention they need to do so much for us.”

What do you think about the 2021 Design Trends?  Any thoughts? Now pop over and visit our longtime blogging friends who know a thing or two about decor and trends.

Mary Ann Pickett Classic Casual Home

Most Lovely Things

Carla Aston Designed

Joni Webb Cote de Texas

Sherry Hart Design Indulgence

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah London says

    I say stick to your own palette regardless of what Pantone says 😉 then you’ll always love it.. and Kathryn Ireland is one of my faves. Great headboard in her “Quilt” design 😍 loved reading your post.
    Xx

  2. Karen B. says

    Hi Cindy,
    I don’t really follow trends, but it’s nice to see what’s new because I almost always pick up an inspiring idea or two. It’s fun to see what each of you talented designers has highlighted in the list of trends.
    xo,
    Karen

  3. Patricia Houston Davis says

    I am so not a trend follower! I do think it is important to keep educating your eye and editing/adding as you evolve. I think decorating must always be a personal reflection of what you love and what matters to you. My beloved MIL died at the hideously young age of 59, and we inherited early in our marriage. We’ve kept the pieces because we loved her and we loved how much she had loved her home. It has given us comfort for over 40 years! There is a story behind everything we own.

    As for open spaces, we have turned the back of our home into our “retirement apartment”. It contains our library/dining room, kitchen and what I call our working pantry. I can sit in my chair by the fireplace and see almost everything at once. We added beadboard because the drywall was not great and made the bold decision to paint it black, always a fav color of mine. There is a great deal of open storage and there is the off the charts devotion to the tool. We added walls of sheet mirror to reflect the garden views. One of my best decisions was to mirror the window surrounds that offer lovely slices of tree views. And did I forget to mention I have used Whirlpool Gladiator work drawers as my kitchen cabinets? A few pieces are custom—black with clear maple drawers with cutouts no hardware. It is a crazy casserole. Trends be damned.

    ps Your son and daughter in law continue to amaze me. Cleaning out their fridge for a photo shoot?!!!! True love and devotion.

  4. Carolina says

    Agree with others that this is a wonderful and inspiring post. Appreciate the effort it took to pull it all together. Wonderful way to start the year!

  5. Celia Becker says

    Happy New Year! As I start several new jobs this new year I’m of course very interested in thoughts on what’s passe’ and what the predictions are for the future. I fully appreciate and respect your suggestions in this area. I guess time will tell, but in the meantime, designer take note.

  6. Annie Diamond says

    Cindy! I always trust you on design! I adore warm earth tones and lots of texture from sisal, jute…and your outdoor spaces are all beautiful. So important when you can enjoy them year-round!
    Terrazzo is out before I even had a chance to embrace it!

  7. Lauren says

    I just got through reading in another place what is in and out…..laughing because they certainly don’t agree. I have a better idea….design well, make the parts and pieces fit together and go with what you love!
    At least you didn’t use that dreaded phrase “must haves” because that leaves people feeling inadequate unless they buy buy buy

    • debra @ 5th and state says

      Hey Cindy, greetings from Atlanta, and wishing you were here!

      agree on all your points, disagree with one aspect of what is out “faux anything”. I have ordered faux floral…so real you cannot tell and meets today’s lifestyle, and ordered faux, faux bois….some really authentic pieces for half the price, no make that 1/4 the price

      cheers!
      Debra

      • Cindy Hattersley says

        Dang!! I wish I were there with you as well. I will be your slave after I am vaccinated anytime!! I am not afraid of faux either as long as it looks real!!

  8. eileen chadwick says

    Great Post..At just the right time. Love home and garden and Sherrys info. I think the natural light and how colors look in different parts of the country is so important. A color that looks great in the north east will not work that well in Florida. Also balance of soft and hard in a room makes such a difference. Just as we do with our dressing to look younger pair down..take a look a the younger women..less is more. I think we use too many pillows and throws…they should really add something to the room. I learned a lot from being a New Yorker. Just saying….

  9. sherry hart says

    Oh girl you nailed it! Of course you and I are a lot alike and we stick to classics so we don’t have to change things all the time. I new pillow or throw and we are good! I adore your outdoor area so much….that would be hard for me to leave. Thanks so much for inviting me to participate:)

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Thank you pal for joining us! I agree with you. I am not normally one to move things around a lot. A blog post will get me inspired. Otherwise my house might get pretty stale.Your ideas are always on point. You inspire me every day!!

  10. Gayle says

    It’s always good to know what the trends are, because the marketplace will be saturated with them, usually to the exclusion of everything else. Thankfully, there is eBay, flea markets and resale stores. I looked for new bedding that wasn’t gray for about four years. I even made the death drive to Orlando for the higher end retailers. May as well have saved my gas. Following trends in home decor is about as logical as following trends in fashion. Not my thing.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Gayle

      It is all about loving what you have isn’t it? Trends are good for inspiration, or in the case of this year, the trends really aren’t trends!

  11. 1010ParkPlace says

    What a happy post with beautiful photos, especially the ones of your home and I do love how Mark Sikes has used blue and white. The Pantone yellow will bring a smile to the Contessa’s face since the interior of her home has been a bright cheery yellow for ages. The huge limestone coffee table in South Africa has me doing backflips. I have a three-inch thick, limestone coffee table in my living room and it nearly took an Act of Congress to get it in the house! I can only imagine the challenges with that one. xoxox, Brenda

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Brenda

      Mark Sikes is such a talent. I could never personally live with that much pattern and color, but he is a master. My style is much more similar to Lauren Leiss. My husband built a concrete table like that for a home they built. When they sold it the table stayed!!

  12. Joanna says

    I don’t think open concept homes will ever be out. Retirees for the most part don’t want all these unused, underutilize rooms. Working couples with kids do need closed off rooms. How can one be out and the other in when people have different needs as they age?
    I’m happy to hear shiplap is out as it was overused. Mid century modern, terrazzo, faux anything, minimalism, single use spaces are out – Good! I don’t like maximalism either. Too many patterns is busy and jarring to my eye. I love a neutral space so
    I guess I’m out. 😉
    I’m always interested in the new trends for a new year or season but I don’t necessarily follow them in decor or clothing.
    I’m off to read your other links. Thank you for putting such effort into this post, Cyndi.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Joanna

      I am so glad you brought that up. I meant to mention that but my post was getting too long. My husband and I were discussing that just last night. It totally works for empty nesters and down sizers. If I were to build another house it definitely be an open concept arrangement. We do not need all of the rooms. We live in half of our home!

  13. Cindy adams says

    Well I don’t know how long it must have taken to pull all this together but it’s wonderful. Thank you. Going to look at it all again this afternoon.
    About the books, can you pick the favorite three? I can’t afford all of them, I’m not a fan of Bunny’s style though.
    How did I ever get by without you, my great joy is seeing your email in my box.
    Cindy

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Cindy

      Well, now that is a good question. I love both of Lauren’s books. Travel Home is great. I want Tom Scheerer’s new book and I bought Isabel Lopez Quesadas book for my daugter. I also just ordered the Carolina Irving book. Tom Scheerer is a fave…I am not much help am I?

  14. LA CONTESSA says

    MID ~ CENTURY MODERN IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THANK GOODNESS THAT WAS NOT PLEASING TO MY EYES!
    WELL< I have yellow rooms and ONE GREY ROOM…………………guess I'm on TREND THIS YEAR!
    I would love to paint the outside of my HOME a DARK GREY having a hard time convincing THAT ITALIAN!
    I NEED TO GO BACK AND READ ABOUT YOUR KITCHEN!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Mid Century modern is/was not a fave of mine either. I don’t mind a piece or two. Yellow is coming back..Summers room has yellow undertones and I love it. I love dark houses too…maybe in my next life!!

  15. classic casual home says

    Cindy, this post is so chock full…I need to enjoy it twice! I was not surprised by Pantone’s yellow announcement…but gray? So overdone but I guess it’s a neutral color.
    Mary Ann

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I agree the gray didn’t make a lot of sense, nor did using my 2014 kitchen in the BHG add. I did get a little carried away. I may have put some to sleep!!

  16. Mary-Ellen Krull says

    What a good post! Can agree with almost everything.
    I am sorry to learn that shiplap and open floor plans are out…that aspect of our coastal cottage would be difficult to change.
    I do agree that shiplap has been overdone but a touch of it in our mud room is very practical for that high traffic area as well as in our water closet-easy to maintain the walls clean!
    And an open plan kitchen and family room is reminiscent of keeping rooms and I love being part of what is going on while I cook and serve.
    Like you say, home has to work for the people who live there!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Mary-Ellen

      I am 66 and I love the open concept idea for our type of living. We don’t use half of the rooms in the house. In my next life my house will be open concept and smaller!

    • Rebecca Dexter says

      The older I get the more I crave light…as a young married (over 50 years ago) I loved wallpaper and dark rooms…now I still love wall paper but white and bright are the only things that work for me. That being said, the outside of my 3400 sq. ft. cape is painted dark green with white trim…love it!

  17. Elizabeth says

    Cindy, this is a great post! I love learning new things about design. I myself have been a collector since I was a child and in my home I have things that I have collected from my travels, my family, estate sales and more. I think the most important things for people to remember about their homes is that it is theirs, they can decorate it however they want they don’t have to follow the trends or the squares in Instagram. They also should note how they live, if you have 5 dogs and 3 kids and busy active lifestyle then an all white house is going to be a lot of work to keep clean and fresh looking. Live with the things you love, and use and that brings you joy. Another thing I think people often forget is that your home is never “finished”, your tastes change, as do your needs little things may come and go. And last but not least, on the same vein, it doesn’t have to be finished!

    Thank you for rounding up some fabulous ladies and designers.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Elizabeth you are spot on! I wish the younger girls could hear your wise words. So true about a home never being finished. If you give up it will look like i!!

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