DECOR TRENDS SNEAK PEEK FOR 2021
Have you been waiting to hear about the decor trends coming our way in 2021? I have! I’m always so excited to see pretty new things and gawk at the designer train wrecks! So let’s get started!
Okay, before I begin I want to ask you NOT TO SHOOT THE MESSENGER! Every year I get a few extra exuberant comments that scold me about new trends. I have nothing to do with setting them. I just tell you what I see!
Please, if new trends are upsetting to you STOP and read another StoneGable post. I care way too much about you to have you upset!
Trends are just that! Trends. That does not mean you have to use any of them in your home! Or defend you style! Just enjoy or laugh at what you see!
Because there are so many new trends on the horizon this will be part one of a two part series on 2021 Trends!
If you are ready to go on… let’s dig in!
Here’s what I see for decor trends for 2021
DECOR TRENDS AND NEUTRALS
The first trend I see for 2021 is neutrals. They are still going strong! One big shift I see with neutrals is how warmed up they are! Less cold whites and more warm ones. More honey or tones and less gray!
However you will also see more color in 2021 and grays are not out yet!
YAY! To warm neutrals! They are classic.
BLUES
This is not your mother’s blue. No wimpy powdery blue or baby blue. Think moody blues, clear blues and other blues that look sophisticated!
Watch this decor trend for 2021! You will see it everywhere!
We have seen moody blues coming on strong the last couple years and they still are at the head of the color pack!
A word of caution about blue. A little goes a long way! Think about gorgeous deep blue walls and lots of white. Or navy chairs in a neutral-colored dining room. Or a stunning navy blue bed with lots of white and taupe.
BLACK AND WHITE
Another classic color combination making a comeback! I love the black and white tiles, like the ones in the picture above! Right now black and white Spanish floor tiles are so so popular!
If you love the drama of black and white now is the year to this color combination to your home!
Black and white has always looked gorgeous and I consider it a classic.
Here’s the thing about black and white. You need to commit! Black and white looses it’s striking affect if mixed with a lot of other colors!
GRAY
I said last year that gray would be taking the slow train out of the design scene. But it’s still here! However, we are not seeing lots and lots of gray things in a room.
I think the gray trend was really pushed into the forefront of design by the blogging industry. This just goes to show how much of an influencer decor bloggers are!
A little gray goes a long way!!! I just got the lumbar pillow above for my master bedroom bed for fall!
I really think in a year or so gray will find its proper place as an accent color once again.
LIGHT WOOD
Light wood is no surprise. It’s been popular for a few years.
However we are seeing the wood go from flooring to cabinetry! Beautiful smooth surface woods with little detail.
I think this trend is a mash-up between Scandinavian and Japanese Modern. It’s a higher end trend. And I’m excited to see how it plays out in everyday American homes.
It’s so pretty and calming!
LESS CLUTTERED SPACES
LESS IS MORE will be huge in 2021 and beyond!
Less layering, less visual clutter, less stuff! Think about using just enough decor to be pretty but not overdone!
Every surface should be curated with everything in and on a space there for a purpose.
Oh, I’ve been watching this trend and have seen it coming like a freight train. This is one trend to not only watch for but to incorporate in your home! I adore the less is more approach!
I love decor stuff! But even my decorating style has been pared way down! I don’t know that I’ll every be a minimalist but I’m certainly doing a lot less layering!
My best advice when it comes to less it more is to choose every single detail in your home carefully and purposefully!
MODERN DESIGNS
The less is more way of decorating is solidified in the push for more modern looking, clean lined decor!
Nothing out of place because there is not much in a room. Only the basics and they are styled to perfection!
One thing I admire about a modern look is how purposefully each item in a room is chosen!
I LOVE this look but it is so insanely impractical for most people! It looks good for about 2 seconds! It is not a practical way for the average American to live!
But if you life things neat and tidy and nothing out of place you might like the look of modern design.
TWO TONED KITCHENS
We saw the beginning of the love affair with two toned kitchen a couple years ago and this trend is still gaining popularity!
This is a huge decor trend for 2021!
There are so many gorgeous variation of the two-toned kitchen. Upper and lower cabinets different colors. Kitchen cabinets and island different colors. Wood and painted cabinets. The combinations are many.
It’s all about creating your personality in your kitchen!
Although I love the look of a two-toned kitchen I’m in the middle of a big kitchen renovation and my kitchen is white. Almost all white.
White is classic!
I did consider a two-toned kitchen but knew in 5 years the kitchen would be “so 2020”!
For me, big ticket items like kitchens need to stay in style for a long time. I really don’t care if my kitchen is not trendy. I do care that it looks fresh and has decor longevity!
GOLD ACCENTS
This is another trend that started a couple years ago and now it is riotous! Gold, not brass of the 90’s! And it is so beautiful and warm!
I love to see gold tones in metals back and so on-trend!
It has taken a couple decades to get over the overload of brassy gold that dripped from homes in the 80’s and 90’s!
And slowly we began to see rich gold tones revived and more beautiful than ever!
Don’t fret if you still love silver tones like brushed nickel. They are very much still in style but not trendy anymore. But that’s okay!
This is one trend you should give a try! Mixing metals is a fabulous way to bring interest and beauty to a room.
See HOW TO MIX METALS IN YOUR DECOR HERE.
INTERGRATED LIVING SPACES
Open concept homes that have been so popular for several years are going one giant step forward in 2021 and beyond! We love these open living spaces so much that now we are seeing a blurring of the living zones!
The ability to move freely between different zones in your home is becoming not only very popular but necessary in today’s home.
In other words, a family living space that incorporates a kitchen. A kitchen with a sofa and seating in it. This is now called a “living kitchen”.
Here at the Tanglewood house we are creating a living kitchen our way. It makes so much sense! I can’t wait to show you!
OFFICE AND LIVING SPACES
Now that we are staying at home more and many of us are working from home we must create spaces that are multifunction! An office is becoming a must for many people that now work at home.
But offices could be a nook in the kitchen or a desk in front of a window or a closet turned makeshift office!
There is a big push to incorporate offices into the everyday living spaces of a home!
FITNESS AND LIVING SPACES
We are also adding fitness equipment to our homes! And finding creative ways to do this. COVID has closed the gyms and pools so we are turning our homes into personal gyms.
Lots of equipment is not going smaller and foldable and able to be put in the corner of a room or folded into a closet.
And many people like me have a treadmill or elliptical in the basement!
HELLO, COUNTRY CHIC GOODBYE FARMHOUSE
I knew this day would come! Farmhouse style has had an incredibly amazingly long run! But I could see the bloom was gone from it for about a year ago!
Again I think the influence of the shelter blogging industry has had a huge influence on Farmhouse style. We still love it!
So, if you love Farmhouse style, don’t worry!
Farmhouse won’t be out of style but a new decor cousin is now on the scene and getting lots of attention! It’s called COUNTRY CHIC!
It has the same warmth and comfy feel of farmhouse but is not so nicked up and distressed and painted.
The country chic trend coming loves wood tones and mixing updated styles with nice vintage pieces, especially if they are European.
Look for a post dedicated to Country Chic style coming soon!
That is a lot of decor trends for 2021 for one post! And there is more to come!
My best advice is to think about new trends you like and try them out in your home.
My favorite way to add trendy decor to my home is through accents! They usually don’t cost a lot but have a big punch of decor WOW!
But always, ALWAYS create a home that looks like you! Trendy or not!
Thank you so much for this post! I have wondered what the newest trend would be. While I don’t change things constantly, I do love to keep a few pieces in my home updated. I was not a huge fan of grays as my hubby said it reminded him of offices and waiting rooms!? I do love the updated look of things and not so much stuff everywhere. I think when we get older we like a clean and easy to manage look. Thank you for the tips! ?
I have been looking for your 2021 trend update. Love to see the new ideas for decorating but think I am pretty set in my style. I hope my home and gardens reflect who lives here and is welcoming and full of love.After over 50 yrs and several houses I hope I am in my forever home. Thanks Yvonne for all the hours of pleasure you have given me with your blog.
Hi Kathy! So nice you are in your forever home! I’d suggest updating existing decor by editing it and/or getting a few new trendy accents to keep your decor looking fresh!
Jeanette, you are a savvy decorator! Keeping things fresh with a few changes is the right way to decorate!
Hi I really enjoy your blogs. I do have a question what are examples of clear blue color? Thanks
Think of a blue crayon! Lots of saturation. Hope this helps.
I always look forward to your new trends post and am anxious to see part two and also your upcoming Country Chic one. Thanks, Yvonne.
I have Country Chic’s post scheduled in mid-September
Excited to see your new kitchen updates!
Me too! I’ve been living without a kitchen for almost a month. There is a little glitch with the countertops that is moving the finish line into September. UGH! I’m getting impatient!
I am in the middle of a whole-house renovation and taking a decidedly neutral route with colors. I enjoy your blog very much.
Hi Meg! Smart choice! Neutrals done right will look nice for years!
I love your trends update!! Your interpretation and explanation of the latest trends is so helpful to one like me who struggles with applying the latest trends in my own home. Thanks so much – keep up the great (and beautiful!) work!
Hi Vickie, I think we all struggle with that. However, my advice is to keep large and high ticket items classic and neutral and add in the tends you like as accents.
Wow! I like everything on this list, even the things that are different from my usual decorating style. Very pretty! I look forward to seeing more about Country Chic. Thanks for the preview!
Hi Laura, you are welcome! I’m excited about Country Chic! I think I might be over all the chippy worn decor.
Thank you for all the updates for 2021 for decorating. It’s always interesting to see what upcoming changes will be. I am happy blue is in the group of colors. Jean
Hi Jean! Blue is very strong this year! You are in good company loving the blue comeback. Most peoples favorite color is blue!
Thank you Yvonne for the first look into the 2021 trends. I am still having a hate/love relationship with the gold trend. I am helping my mother in law restyle and update a home that she just bought near ours. The house has many early 1990s gold fixtures. Could you post, or send me, some side by side comparison pictures of 1990s vs. 2021 gold accents?
Hi Mrs.
How nice to have your mother-in-law close to you!! The best thing you can do is to go online to sites like Wayfair and Ballard and others and look for gold tone accents. There are a ton of them. They are VERY different from the 90’s brassy gold. You will be able to see the difference right away.
Have fun restyling!!!
I must say that as a Boho Gal- Bling has always been my Thing, so gold cracks the nod with me, the most neutral palette I have is blushes with tonnes of gold, and sequins and layers of vintage linens and pretty, embroidered vintage tablecloths!
Hi Sue, I adore Boho!!!! Your decor sounds so fun!
I don’t necessarily follow trends but love to know what they are, both in decor and fashion. I love neutrals in a home. To me, it is a relaxing haven. When I moved into my open concept home, I started to decorate with less things, and the pieces I did pick were bigger and impactful. I renovated the kitchen and went with two tone. The kitchen cupboards are a soft white and the island is a contrasting color, picking up on the fireplace. I’ve added a few warm gold accents but nothing expensive or not easily replaced. Reading the trends and picking the ones you want to incorporate is fun. It gives your home a fresh update.
I’m not sure what Country Chic is so I look forward to your post.
Interesting. Still loving my neutrals, thanks to you, as well as lots of texture. Blue may be the one accent color I find to be the prettiest, especially in small doses of Chinoiserie. I’m with you about not achieving minimalist status, while paring down, continually. Very excited for your kitchen reveal.
I was just explaining the idea of Cottage core to my better half. It seems we all need an escape plan from the stress of the past year and what better than to think of living in an English style cottage in the country. Sounds good to me! Even if this is only a dream we can do to create as much comfort and beauty where ever we live. Thankyou for giving your readers so much inspiration.
I have a blue chair in my living room that I’m wanting to get rid of. Maybe I’ll decide to keep it.
Thank you for the info. Looking forward to your kitchen. I need to replace the kitchen sink and regrout the tile.
Decor comes in style if you hold on to it long enough… sometimes!
Hello Yvonne,
I actually look forward to all your daily posts. Although I am also a neutral girl. I moved south a few years ago and found my black/white/beige didn’t work so well. Eliminated my black, added more natural lighter woods but still love some chippy. Love the blues but will just add little accents. Still not ready to go back to the gold. I also can’t wait to see your new jkitchen, I am in love with it already.
Mmmm, Country Chic will suit my house. I love the farmhouse look but somehow it doesn’t quite fit in this house but I’m thinking Country Chic will be just the ticket. I come from a long long line of country folk so I guess you can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl!!!
Jim and I ere just talking about grey in or out today. I told him…fading. I told him is still miss my kitchens that had multicolor furniture and cabinets. Maybe it’s time rearrange!
Finally trends I can get behind. I have always loved blue so I am happy I will have more options when shopping. Also black and white – my kitchen colors – thanks to you Yvonne! And I love it. But I really think these two are not trends but classics that never go out of style – they may be more or less favored, but always in! Interested to see what Country Chic is, I have tried to add farmhouse style but it just hasn’t worked for me. I think I might like a few pieces here and there but not a full on farmhouse look. I think country chic may be just what I’ve been looking for – it actually sounds quite traditional – which I do love. Two-tone cabinets do look great, but not for me…mainly because I just redid my kitchen and I can’t change it now…too soon…lol. Thanks for sharing…always a pleasure.
Great ideas. I love anything clean looking. I too thought gray would be gone by now. I believe people like color, I do. Thank you for putting all of this in such lovely pictures. I’m looking forward to seeing your kitchen, I love the progress not just the big reveal! Thanks again.
I can’t wait until the kitchen is finished! Soon!
I never did like chippy much, just slightly worn.
Glad thats going away. Gold is not for me! Can’t wait to see country chic!
I’m glad you mentioned two-toned kitchens. I have been thinking about remodeling my kitchen. I think I will go with gray on the bottom and white on top.
Sounds so pretty!
Thanks for all the great tips and heads up. I have benefited a lot from you! I painted my bedroom Sonnet this summer and I love it!
I am not a blues person at all. I tried to be but I just can’t. I love warm colors and I was pushing the envelope doing greige in my bedroom lol! I guess I will stick to my neutrals and accent with the trends I like. Curious about Country Chic, I will be keeping my eye out!
I’m seeing lots of country chic! Very pretty style.
Yvonne,
I absolutely love your taste in decor!
Your living room curtains, where could I find the exact ones or something similar?
Thank you!
Hi Liz, I actually made them. And they were a no-sew project. You can see the post about how I made them here: https://www.stonegableblog.com/super-easy-no-sew-curtain-diy/
I love country chic ….
I love reading your blog posts. Do you know where I could purchase the floor lamp shown in the neutral section?
Hi Beverly, this lamp is from Kirklands.You can see it here:https://rstyle.me/+GACyfBKc3va_ZeD-XCzrHw
Wow, I am happy to know that the new trends are much like many of the trends I am sporting in my home already. I am feeling very excited after reading your post.
Loved reading your blog. I am struggling with decision for a new home we will be moving into in a month. We have always loved the creams,grays with chrome finishes. However, we also are interested in utilizing some gold finishes in this home. My question is do we stay with the chrome accents or do we add some gold in the island pendants and some touches in the furnishings? So concerned the gold will be outdated in 5 years. Your thoughts?
Hi Faye, everything has an expiration date. I’d be more concerned about staying classic than trendy! Our goal is to have BIG TICKET things like kitchens NOT to look outdated as long as we can. Classic is the way to go. Using goldtones is actually a classic look that is also trending right now. A goldtone pendant to the kitchen island might look nice, just make sure you have other goldtone accents in the kitchen too or the pendant will look out of place. Hope this helps.
I love your style. Where did you find your accent chair in the corner by the lamp? The white one with blues and tan flower circles?
Hi MaLesa, I found it at Wayfair. Right now I don’t see it on their site. Sorry!
love this, always wonder how anyone keeps all that white/cream clean? my husband is like a grown child and there is no way i can have all that white in my house…especially white rugs… trust me if it was just me…..
Oxyclean! It works like a miracle on all stains! No, I could never have a white rug either.
I’m normally not a fan of patterns on chairs or couches, but I quite love the cream chair with neutral pattern. Would you mind sharing where this could be purchased? Thanks
This little chair has held up so well and is very reasonably priced. See it here:https://rstyle.me/+LCc2zH5iP9K8YVxvCKzhsw