The Best Living Room Trends for 2021
The Experts Weigh in
As we embrace a new year, we also welcome its new trends. As most of us sheltered at home for 2020, the living room became the multifunctional space for work, play, school, and everything in between. We asked industry experts to weigh in on what we should expect to see in 2021.
The year of the drum
“With televisions mounted over more and more fireplaces, they have gotten higher off of the ground and ceiling fans happily exiting, the best option for a light fixture is a gorgeous drum. This style is wider than it is tall so as not to interrupt the view from an open floor plan into the living room space. I love selecting a stunning fixture that highlights the upholstery in the space and truly makes the room shine,” says Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs.
Room Designed: Lauren Nicole Designs.
Light Fixture: Jayna 4 Light Chandelier
PLUSH AND COZY
“We will start moving away from the open concept floor plan and approaching home space planning in a more compartmentalized manner based on individual family needs. Some examples include a private video conference call space, a meditation/yoga room, individual home offices (e.g. His + Hers), and an at- home education space for online learning. Living rooms will be a plush and cozy space devoted to comfort and beauty. Layers of lighting create atmospheres for different times of the day with dimmable capabilities while also incorporating table and floor lamps for a more intimate light source. Other 2021 trending light sources will be fireplaces and maximizing natural light.” says Kelli Vogelsang of West Bay Homes.
Light Fixture: Hulton Collection by Brian Patrick Flynn
Polished NickeL Finishes
“Geometric patterns based on natural items like agate and geodes are going to be a strong trend into 2021 and 2022 for living room design and décor. These patterns feel contemporary yet rooted in nature and they come in color combinations that can be bright and bold or muted and pale. Tan and putty tones furniture finishes will be popping up and starting to outweigh the gray trend we’ve been seeing for the last few years on wood furniture. We will continue to see polished nickel as the most popular metal finish on casegoods used as framing, legs, and cabinet and drawer hardware,” says Libby Langdon of Libby Langdon Interiors.
Room Designed: Karen B Wolf Interiors
Lighting Fixture: Jennings Chandelier by Libby Langdon
InvestING in Art
“Since people are spending so much more time at home between working, distance learning and actually running a day to day family life, I think we'll see a surge in custom built-in sectionals and banquette.s Gadgets are used non stop now and having the proper pitch to upholstery is key to keeping posture good while working from in almost any spot in the house. I also think investing in more art is going to be a big priority to keep spaces vibrant and personalized as more and more time is spent at home,” says designer Brian Patrick Flynn.
Room Designed: Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors
Light Fixture: Truax by Brian Patric Flynn
BIGGER STATEMENT LIGHTING
“With several virtual parties and celebrations still on the horizon, setting up your entertaining space with a statement light is something I see happening a lot. But not just your traditional statement lighting, but something a bold & textural,” says designer Rydhima Brar of R/terior Studio.
Lighting Fixture: Rylee 12 Light Chandelier
Colors found in nature
“Following needs for nesting and finding comfort in our homes due to the uncertainty in 2020, a longing for colors found in nature is translated into our interiors. Look for color palettes with blues and greens and add in earth tones for balance. Not only can these soothing colors be found in fabric, wallpaper, and paint but in tile millwork and cabinetry finishes as well,” says designer Tammy C Bolden of Bold Interior Designs, LLC.
Room Designed: Tricia Canonico
Light Fixture: Jennings Chandelier by Libby Langdon
Antique Furnishings
“We see a movement toward incorporating more vintage and antique furnishings in 2021. We attribute part of this to a feeling of wanting something familiar and appreciated over time, something with a history that has been well-loved. And part can be attributed to the halt on production and lag in time that it’s taking to manufacture and deliver new product. The beauty in vintage is that it’s already there waiting to be re-homed, says designer Jessica Geller of Toledo Geller.
Light Fixture: Zucca 6 Light Chandelier
