Top Home Decor Trends of 2021

My general philosophy is, surround yourself with the things you love. I only decorate my home with items I truly love, and the same goes for my outfits. Life’s too short for things that make you feel so-so. Paying attention to these feelings is the key to feeling great in your clothes, your home, and your own skin!

There are so many interesting trends in home decor this year, but a few of my favorites are:

1. The Home Gym.

Last year, so many of us stayed home, and that caused us to rethink our workout routines. Since we had more time on our hands, we did a bit more zhushing. Rather than throwing a spin bike into an empty room, we built out small sanctuaries in genius ways. The trend I love the most is converting an unused closet into a more useful space. 

2. Fluted Wood. 

A great way to add texture to any surface is to wrap it in fluted wood. From fireplaces to kitchen islands or cabinets, it can go anywhere. 

3. Caned Furniture.

Speaking of texture, how beautiful is caned furniture? With my love of all things vintage, I was thrilled to see caning make a comeback. You’ll find it on more than just the backing of a chair. I love it inset on a headboard or cabinet doors. 

4. Grandmillennial Style.

This modern take on granny-chic is taking the decor world by storm. Think more traditional, vintage vibes with cozy details like floral patterns, pleated lampshades, table cloths, and grandma’s china. Layer that with fringe, trim, and chinoiserie and you’ve achieved Grandmillennial Greatness. 

5. Multi-Functional Spaces.

Lockdown taught us to rethink the functionality and how we use a room. Each space should have the ability to be used for at least three different functions. When redesigning a space, you might want to ask yourself these questions: 

• Can it also be used as a home office? 

• Could my child use this as a workspace? 

• Can this room be used for family game night? 

• Where can I get creative and add storage?

I think the olive tree is definitely here to stay, but I’m also digging a small maidenhair fern in an unexpected bowl and the large leaves of a bird of paradise plant. 

If you would have asked me this a couple of years ago, I would have said Sherwin Williams Snowbound for the perfect shade of white. However, I have recently embraced all the color. Presently, I’m working on my guest bedroom and it’s a gorgeous terracotta rusty pink.

If you mix and match the decor in your home, you can get away with mixing and matching almost anything…even woods. As long as you don’t have too much of something, everything will blend. When I design a room, I always have at least one larger wood piece, some metals, and color.

To find your design style, I like to start in the closet. Going back to the first question you asked, clothing and decor have a deep connection. Go into your closet and pick out the item that makes your heart go pitter-patter. This does not have to be a piece that you wear daily, it just has to make you swoon. What makes it so special? Is it the texture? The color? Ruffles? The pattern? 

Now, walk around your home and identify all the home decor items you love. If you can, put them all in the same room. You’ll start to see a theme. If you don’t, lean into Pinterest and start pinning. Again, only pin the decor you love. Do this for a week or two, 15 mins before bed, and then look back on the pin board(s). You should begin to see commonalities!