By Noor Muneeb, staff writer

As we continue to spend more time in our homes, there is a growing desire to improve functionality and aesthetics. 2021’s interior design trends are just the solution with creative ways to freshen up and make homes more practical  for the current remote situation we find ourselves in. Here are some of the most recent trends that you can incorporate in your own room or home improvement.

Grandmillennial Style

The Grandmillennial style is expected to be quite popular in 2021 among people that are buying new homes during the pandemic or are simply redesigning because they want change. This style is a juxtaposition of modern design and “your grandmother’s home.” This nostalgic aesthetic is not only affordable, but also allows us to honor the past and find meaning in the objects in our homes. This can truly be refreshing, especially in these trying times when home should have a sense of comfort and security. 

What’s particularly distinctive about this style of interior design is that it’s centered around the uniqueness of one-of-kind items. Such items include skirted tables, patterned upholstery, wood furniture, abstract art, metallic accents for a modern touch, floral wallpaper—which will be a trend in and of itself—and more.

 Sophomore Roy Benedict Cruzata said, “I would…want to be comfortable even at the expense of design because after all, even if my house may be pretty on the outside, it’s the inside beauty and comfort that [has] more of an impact on your emotional welfare in your house.” The Grandmillennial style offers a way to stay comfortable without having to overlook design. “It can embody values or important times from [one’s] life,” Roy said.

Wallpaper

Using wallpapers to get creative will surely be trending this year. Fewer visitors due to COVID-19 can give homeowners the opportunity to be expressive and bold in their interior design choices. Wallpaper can add depth to a room while also being functional. Acoustically-rated wallpaper allows walls to absorb sound and prevent echo which can be especially helpful in current times when multiple students may be learning remotely in the same house or more than one family may be residing under the same roof. 

There are a countless number of wallpapers you can choose from including wall murals and maximalist wallpapers, floral and chinoiserie wallpapers, 3D wallpapers, peel-and-stick wallpapers, and animal print wallpapers 

Natural Elements

Now that we can’t go outside as often, spending time in nature isn’t as easy as it used to be. Luckily, we can bring the outdoors inside our homes. This can be done by placing indoor plants (real or artificial), wildlife art and/or furniture, bioplastics, stone, wood, seashells, and more in our homes. These natural elements can remind us of the natural world some of us might be missing out on. 

Nature can have a calming effect and make us feel fresh and relaxed. “I…put plants inside [my home] and [they] really [did] positively affect mood,” said sophomore Gursimar Kaur. Sophomore Ethan Elijah Belen echoed this sentiment and said, “I would want more plants inside my home so I feel healthier breathing ‘cleaner air.’”

Closed Floor Plans

The pandemic has forced many people to stay home with their families, leading to the rise in popularity of the closed floor plan, which offers more privacy with more walls and windows. Some people buying new homes are especially looking for houses with closed floor plans because they can limit distractions. They can also help give people a sense of normalcy by having specific areas of the house that are designated to specific activities such as remote learning or work-from-home. 

Temporary solutions for those that cannot make big changes include placing room dividers in your house, building temporary walls, using long bookshelves to divide the room, hanging curtains, positioning the sofa or any other furniture to separate one room from another, using different colors to create zones, and placing distinct rugs in different areas to create separate regions. These would all help to create the illusion of a closed floor plan.

Home Offices

As students and many parents continue to work remotely, finding a good working space is a current priority. Many interior design experts predict that the use of bold and bright colors will be trending. Such colors are not only uplifting and help to elicit creativity, but they also enforce work “zones,” replicating the segmenting effects of a closed floor plan. Clean work slates—clean-lined, solid wood desks—are also going to be popular. They will allow one to focus more on work and help to avoid unnecessary stress due to clutter on the working table. Creative storage solutions are also being used in home offices to further prevent clutter.

Multipurpose Furniture

Smart storage does not have to be limited to only home offices; multipurpose furniture allows us to incorporate creative storage solutions in the rest of the house too. As more activities are done at home, more space will be needed. 

For those with limited space, multipurpose furniture is a great option that allows you to keep a lot of things in a small space and helps prevent your home from feeling messy and claustrophobic, while everything remains in reach—you won’t need to throw everything in one closet anymore. It’s evident that such furniture will definitely bring back the balance that we need in our lives. Examples of multifunctional furniture include but are not limited to shelf floor lamps, convertible chairs/sofas, drop leaf console tables, library chairs, and more. 

Mirrored Furniture

But what if your house feels small despite your use of multipurpose furniture? That’s where mirrored furniture comes in. Although mirrored furniture won’t actually make more space, it will visually expand the amount of space through an illusion. Mirrored furniture can also be used to zone or add light to a room and create a stylish finishing touch or an elegant and trendy look. They will also keep you looking good for your Zoom meeting, can be used for security purposes by broadening one’s field of vision, and can easily hide imperfection in the house by covering any cracks or stains on the wall. 

Trending mirrored furniture includes captain’s mirrors, oversized mirrors, and mirror panels or collages as well as mirrored cabinets, nightstands, coffee tables, dressers, and sideboards. Such decor can be put in places ranging from the bedroom, living room, and dining room to the front door and staircase.

Outdoor Living: Pergolas

If you’re still in need of more space or maybe not as connected to nature as you’d like to be, outdoor spaces like patios, porches, and decks are a great option. Not only does the merging of indoor and outdoor environments allow you to connect with nature, but it also allows you to entertain guests in a much safer way and  provides more space that prevents you from feeling confined. If a shaded living space isn’t available in your backyard though, you can try building a pergola—a simple overhead structure that provides shade for dining and working.

Interior Swings

Interior swings are becoming increasingly popular this year. Especially for people that do not have backyards or porches, these swings bring something that is usually enjoyed outdoors, inside. Such playful interiors play a significant role nowadays and are convenient and fun for both adults and children. Furthermore, interiors that bring a sense of joy and comfort through some sort of personal connection are so important when we’re surrounded by a virus and so much other negativity. Sophomore Rachael Barnes said, “I feel like if you live somewhere with surroundings you like [that] make you feel comfortable and happy…then you will just feel better overall even if you are unable to go outdoors as much.”

Ocean Hues

Incorporating oceanic hues, which consist of shades of blue and green, in houses is becoming increasingly trendy. Blue hues are serene, while green hues are welcoming and bring us a sense of comfort and coziness. In general, oceanic hues create a modern look while reminding us of nature and have a calming effect on us, making us feel soothed in times when comfort is much-needed. From deep inky tones to soft aquas, pale tones, and warm sea greens, blue and green are the perfect ocean hues for your home.

Lighter Woods

As coziness continues to be prioritized, light woods are gaining favor. The pandemic made even large homes feel small; this feeling has a lot more to do with the interior design of a house than one may think! In addition to creating a comfy atmosphere while maintaining a modern look, light woods create a spacious interior which is much needed in COVID-19 when even large houses can feel small. Light also reflects better on lighter wood which can greatly improve one’s mood, work efficiency, and create a better, minimal, and clean atmosphere overall.