A new study revealed that despite the fact that they were spending more time at home than ever before in 2020, 55% of Americans still made significant changes when decorating their homes during the year. In fact, 71% suggested that their time at home was a major motivation for them changing the appearances of their homes. After spending so much time indoors, these people evidently saw a need for change in their homes and enacted that through decoration and home improvement. Additionally, that 71% of people also intends to take those changes into 2021, continuing to look into upcoming trends in home decor and improvements. What this means for the American interior design industry is that there could be a lot of incoming changes as new trends take over and homeowners seek out exciting new things to differentiate their homes from what they looked like prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, part of the motivation for some homeowners could be that they are in fact exploring ways to make their homes look their best so that when the pandemic subsides and they are able to visit with friends again, they are able to show that they got things done during the pandemic.
Therefore, those exploring upcoming trends in home decor through 2021 should expect a lot of different and exciting new options to become available. Smart furniture is one popular and interesting trend forecasted for the year by 34% of people surveyed. This trend is particularly interesting, as many Americans still don’t have many or any types of smart furniture in their homes currently. Smart furniture can be connected to different technological interfaces, like for example android phones and other devices This can allow people to use their couches, for example, to control the lighting in their homes. With just a touch of the button, homeowners will be able to change the temperature in their homes without having to get up. Some types of smart furniture may also be adjustable based on the use of apps on cell phones. If a chair needs to be adjusted, the person sitting there can pull up their app and make their relaxation experience exactly what it needs to be. Additionally, smart furniture can potentially be incorporated into homeowners’ cloud security solutions. This means that homeowners won’t need to worry about their networks being hacked through their smart furniture, which would be the only holdup for many in terms of investing in smart furniture. As technology progresses, so too does the accessibility of smart furniture.
But of course, the upcoming trends in home decor are not limited to furniture. Natural elements will also be brought into the home more than ever, at least as indicated by 31% of survey respondents. This can be incorporated in so many different ways. For example, natural stone slabs do not only need to be used to change kitchen and bathroom countertops. They can also be incorporated into walls, fireplaces, and much more to create a truly rustic feel. Rather than having the slabs smoothed down, they can be kept rough and unfinished. There are also wood finishings and pieces of decor that can be added into your home in a similar sense. Driftwood is particularly popular for those that want a beachy, natural look in the house.
Natural details can also be added in through live decor. Many people are becoming more interested in incorporating plants in their homes. Hanging plants, as well as potted succulents, are great ways of making a home seem more naturalistic while at the same time maintaining a modern and fresh look. Additionally, this can be done fairly easily, and without a lot of financial investment.
Colorful statement art is also being targeted by homeowners among upcoming trends in home decor, according to 28% of survey respondents. This type of art doesn’t necessarily need to be achieved through loud colors. The subject matter or style of the artwork can also make a statement. Whimsical art that depicts fun and light subject matter, or maybe even something a little wacky, can be used to make a statement in the home. Additionally, abstract art can create a distinct look without necessarily needing to place too much emphasis on what the art depicts. Statement art doesn’t need to come in the form of a painting either. It can also come in the form of sculptures, as well as prints. Buying prints in particular is a great way for homeowners to collect interesting artwork for their homes without necessarily having to spend the amount of money that they would spend on brand new original artwork.
A sustainable design was also prioritized by survey respondents, 26% of which wanted to see this reflected in upcoming trends in home decor. This can be incorporated into the home in so many different ways. Indoor lighting, for example, is a great way to maximize the sustainability of decor. Energy efficient light fixtures can be bought as homeowners attempt to decorate their homes. There will be no light lost to the naked eye as homeowners attempt to save both energy and money (as energy bills tend to rise when more light is used through inefficiency fixtures). Rather, these fixtures will use light in a more efficient manner, therefore cutting down on energy wasted and money spent.
In the same sense, homeowners can add different water efficient fixtures to their homes as they take on bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects. The different fittings and fixtures used on sinks, showers, and tubs can ensure that not only do these spaces look good; they also waste a lot less water, and are less likely to experience leaks. This will also ensure that the homeowner is less likely to experience potential water damage in their home. Toilets can also be changed out to accommodate energy efficient designs. These types of moves also inevitably add value to a home, as future buyers will be looking for efficient and sustainable design features.
On a less specific level, another 26% of survey respondents indicated that they were interested in light colored woods taking center stage in upcoming trends in home decor. Some of the most popular types of light colored woods for homes include red oak, white oak, and maple. While homeowners can invest in light colored wood furniture if they’re not sure about making this addition more permanent as homeowners update their home’s design, it can also be applied to flooring. For example, if homeowners are seeking new ideas for their basement finishing projects, they could potentially lay down light colored wood flooring. This can brighten up and really open a space, creating a more aesthetically appealing home design in darker spaces in particular.
Decor Styles: What Those Surveyed Indicate
In general, the survey on upcoming trends in home decor, which was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Puffy, was fairly comprehensive. This was because it covered over 2,000 Americans across a broad spectrum. Therefore, it also focused on the different types of styles that Americans seeking to redecorate their homes in 2021 were interested in. Decor, of course, is often chosen to accommodate a specific style goal that homeowners have in mind. Therefore, choosing a style before choosing types of decor often makes shopping a little easier for homeowners seeking to redecorate.
When indicating the different style shifts that they were interested in, 35% of survey respondents first focused on making over a room in a modern style. Modernity has always been valued by many younger homeowners in particular, as it often is more in line with current trends. Although some people prefer a more vintage style, many homeowners tend to find that the modern style.
Another 22% of people surveyed prefer normal houses with traditional styles. Although a traditional style is particularly inoffensive and often requires less home improvement work than other styles, it is a home style nonetheless. It’s important for homeowners to consider carefully how their style of home will affect the value of their home. Traditional styles are often considered more valuable than more controversial, distinct styles. This is because they’re less offensive and distinct, and therefore have a broader appeal. Indeed, it can sometimes be easier for individuals expanding or remodeling their homes in traditional styles to secure construction loans and other types of funding. Of course, this is all very personal. Some individuals may prefer different types of construction styles because they prefer to make a big impression on their guests, or simply because they want to make their homes in the styles that they prefer directly, rather than styles that have broader appeal. This is why, for many, the upcoming trends in home decor are somewhat irrelevant. It’s fine for homeowners to make their houses distinct and in styles that they prefer individually; they just need to be aware of what they are doing.
For 12% of respondents, mid-century modern was considered the most popular type of home style. This particular style is a bit vintage without being old-fashioned and is based on styles that are based in mid-1940s to late-1960s Americana. Additionally, roughly 9% of respondents preferred eclectic styles, while another 9% preferred minimalist styles. It’s important to note that these are some of the upcoming trends in home decor and styling in 2021, they are not the only options by any means. People need to consider these styles as they renovate and overhaul their homes, whether it affects how they select the best cast iron cookware for their kitchens or the colors of paint they choose for their homes. This can greatly affect the long term value of a home.
Understanding Why People Are Overhauling Their Homes: The Responses
While it’s easy to dismiss these changes are largely cosmetic, and the result of boredom caused by a pandemic, there are in reality so many reasons why Americans are interested in exploring upcoming trends in home decor as well as styling overhauls. Just 11% of respondents indicated that they needed a change in scenery, while 12% indicated that they needed more space or altered spaces for homeschooling. In fact, about 28% of survey respondents indicated that they wanted more luxurious items in their homes, while 25% wanted to create spaces that are more like sanctuaries in their homes.
The survey shows that homeowners have diverse tastes. While roughly 40% of all people were influenced by Scandinavian designs in terms of upcoming trends in home decor, while 78% reported that coziness was a major reason why they wanted to update the styling and decor in their homes. Fortunately, for those interested in coziness, there seems to have been success. An estimated 73% of poll respondents agreed with the statement “my home is my sanctuary”.
Of course, when asked about what made their homes cozy, an estimated 27% of people believed that their couches contributed strongly to the coziness of their homes, while 27% believed that their beds contributed strongly to that coziness factor. This doesn’t mean that more serious issues like erosion control shouldn’t be considered when homeowners are updating their homes. It just means that comfort levels should be considered as well.
Right now, people are spending more time at home than ever before, as mentioned before. This means that they want their homes to have broad appeal, and that they additionally want to create their ideal sanctuaries. This does often involve maintenance work, like installing a piping system that is energy efficient and smoothly function. But it can also involve changing the appearance and comfort level of a home. While homeowners will need to consider upcoming trends when designing their homes, they should also think long and hard about exactly what they want out of their homes, and what will make them into ideal sanctuaries. Those surveyed illustrate clearly that for a lot of people, the idea of sanctuary is highly individual and will not be consistent across the board. However, it is defined by how relaxed and perhaps most of all cozy a homeowner can be in their updated oasis.
