2021 Deco Trends

After quite a while, it’s time for me to write a comprehensive article with all the new trends which will be taking over in 2021.

I have already mentioned many of the trends in my Facebook and Instagram posts, but now is the time when you’ll be able to study them all in one post.

The pandemic has affected all developments, our plans and schedules.

The only exhibitions we attended before the coronavirus were the ‘Maison et Objet’ in Paris, the ‘Formland’ in Denmark, and the Stockholm Design Week in Sweden.

Afterwards, many events quickly adapted to the digital world. However, the sensation you’re left with when physically attending an exhibition, by seeing the vivid colours, touching the objects, or meeting the designers in person, is indispensable.

We realised that, so far, nothing can equal the experience of physically attending an exhibition.

Nevertheless, we’ll have to adjust to the new standards and still keep up-to-date by following the exhibitions on the internet such as, for example, the virtual ‘Maison et Objet’ exhibition held online this month.

Deco and design lovers, do draw inspiration from these trends that will be leading the developments in products, choices and aesthetics for the year to come!

main image via Pinterest

Brutalism

Brutalism was an architecture movement created and flourishing from the 1950s to the mid-1970s around England.
Raw materials, textured surfaces, geometric shapes and plain silhouettes are the characteristics of brutalism in interior design.
Brutalism has its own way of re-emerging every few decades, and its style continues to captivate our minds and warm our hearts.
While it shares many of its characteristics with the Art Deco and Mid-Century styles, Brutalism far outweighs them, making use of raw surfaces, concrete, steel and various matte metals to offer an aged or patinated finish.
Warm metals have been playing a major role in this design trend and their combination with opposite materials, such as cement, create an attractive balance.
This distinctive architectural style will make its comeback stronger than ever in 2021.

Hint: Modern day Brutalist Interior Design mainly consists in the use of big pieces of furniture paired with small decorative objects.

Start by using a big surface made of natural material as your basis, for example a raw-wood table in a geometric shape or a concrete bench; combine it with an impressive metal lighting fixture and then blend in small decorative elements in metallic tones.

No more carbon

Nowadays, good design starts with using sustainable materials and aims for curbing waste and the carbon footprint.
Designers, architects and Brands are expected to confront climate change, reducing carbon emissions in creative ways.
It is imperative to boost product and material quality and value, while maintaining affordable prices.
Extending a product’s life cycle, and thus allowing it to remain in use for as long as possible, is one of the key principles of the circular economy.
Products and their components must be so designed as to facilitate reusing, repairing and reconstructing.
Consequently, in 2021, we’ll be witnessing the rise of quality products made out of sustainable materials, such as carpets out of recycled fishing nets, leathers out of mushroom production, fabrics out of recycled water bottles, and many more.

Classic deco

The classic style is back, prominently featuring Classic Blue as the colour of the year 2020.
Designers mix and match classic and contemporary elements, producing impressive results.

Grandmillennial Style

I couldn’t call it vintage because this term encompasses many decades and styles.
I think that Grandmillennial is kind of a ‘New traditionalist’ style, showing appreciation for the past and the traditional works of art.
In terms of time, it spans from the mid-20s to the late ‘30s as the dominant trend of the middle-class urban residences back then.
To better understand it, flash back to your grandparents’ home with its floral sofas, the Chinese vases, and the soft and cosy spaces so as to reinterpret it from a contemporary perspective.
This style, simply adored by generation Z, calls into question not only minimalism, but also all interior spaces that look too similar to tell apart.
Instead, this trend is authentic, fun, fresh and offers the opportunity to create beautiful and cheerful rooms.

Ceiling wallpapers

Generally considered a boring neutral surface, the fifth wall is gaining ground in 2021 interior design.
The prevailing trend will be towards covering the ceilings with wallpaper sporting ultra-bold patterns, flowers and tropical prints.

Neotenic Design

In biology, Neoteny is the term used to describe a property found in certain living organisms which can retain their childhood characteristics, despite having reached reproductive maturity.
In design, ‘Neotenic’ refers to items that come in generous round proportions, but whose curves are soft and detail-free.
They are usually pieces of furniture or lighting, as well as various decorative objects with disproportionate design, organic forms, large heads and chunky rounded legs.
Neotenic design boasts unique aesthetics and a minimalistic approach, while it is also often reminiscent of cartoons.
Scientific research has demonstrated that such forms affect people’s state of mind in an interior space, allowing them to combat stress and anxiety.
The truth is that an unconventional design takes longer to go on the market and be accepted by consumers.
And yet, it will be all the rage this year!

Unisex

The unisex searches and choices made by younger consumers have led the market and designers towards creating decorations and items in unisex forms, avoiding gender stereotypes.
The rise of unisex baby items is a characteristic example of this trend.

Space

Half a century after our first steps on the moon, we feel that the dream of space tourism is really close to coming true.
As companies are preparing for the big moment, the rest of us on earth are dreaming the days away thinking about space.
This trend will be dominant in interior spaces in 2021 thanks to futuristic neon atmospheres, chrome plated surfaces, vertical blinds and new shapes in objects.

Biofriendly Design

Nature can definitely boost our well-being.
This means that living in spaces which feel closer to nature can positively affect our daily lives.
Biofriendly design is but an extension of biophilia, aimed at introducing the natural world into modern structured environments.
In practice, this can be achieved by integrating vegetation, natural materials, the light, views of nature and other natural world experiences into interior spaces.

Biofriendly design also derives from a more environmentally aware lifestyle, based on sustainable choices and a circular approach to design.

Marble with striking colour contrasts

Though marble is an all-time classic and very widely used material, people don’t seem tired of it yet.
Nevertheless, from now on, forget all about the light Carrara marble that’s most prevalent.
The marble surfaces of the future will boast striking colour contrasts and marked veins, adding to the dramatic decorative effect.

Glossy surfaces are back

The traditional handmade Zellige tiles from North Africa, for example, are produced in glossy finishes and amazing hues that will offer your decoration unmistakable character.

Hint: Couple them with matte, ceramic, industrial-style tiles and you’ll never regret the choice.

Vertical tiling

Have you grown bored of ordinary tiles in the bathroom and kitchen?
Turn them around, fit them vertically and make a world of difference!
Vertical tiling is an easy way to follow the new deco trends, which will grant you a fully updated interior space.

New Deco

Art Deco details are gradually becoming a major fashion trend.
This new decade, we’re in for houses with architectural arches, organic forms, geometric patterns, curvy furniture, vases with wavy lines, all with a modern approach to design and colours.

Irregular shaped carpets

The latest carpet trends require creative forms in irregular shapes, owing its inspiration to nature and our hand drawings as children.

Hint: For an extra-creative result, think beyond the floors, transforming the carpets into works of art and using them to decorate your walls.

Glass

Glass is one of the most powerful deco materials and it will be claiming a leading role in the year to come.
We’ve seen it transparent, blurry, patterned and striped.

Let’s Talk Colours

New Neutrals

Neutral shades and pastel colours -including beige, greige, light pink and faded yellow- are choices still going strong in deco.
These shades are conducive to a pleasant and relaxed environment.
We’ll see it in many decorative items, fabrics as well as walls.

Chinese red

Vermilion, also known as Chinese red, is far more than just a passing fad to be consumed and then disposed of.
It represents life, good luck and sexual desire.
Vermilion Red is the ultimate symbol of wealth and might for the powerful in Asia, Europe and America.
That’s why it will be emerging on multiple occasions next year.
We’ll find it in decorative details, statement design furniture and fabrics.
It’s ideally complemented by beige and the new neutral colours.

Classic blue – Ocean blue

We saw it everywhere!
There was no electronic catalogue that didn’t feature this colour: in furniture, fabrics, deco items, kitchenware and so much more.
It can be combined with white, ochre, neutral shades, but also red and green.

Emerald Green

This bright, serene and also deep colour is ideal for your decoration, paired with other shades.
Emerald Green seems to be the designers’ colour of preference according to recent research.

Terracotta

Terracotta is wonderfully complemented by brown, red, tan, while also contrasting the cold colours.
This hue will keep going strong, as it can introduce nature into interior spaces and is a perfect match for handmade products and raw surfaces.