Decorating trends in 2021: colours, materials and fabrics

When we think about it, we’ve probably spent more time at home in the past 12 months than at any other point in our lives, and our furniture has seen more use than ever. Chairs, tables, shelves, etc. have gone from playing a supporting role in our world to joining the main cast of characters. They’ve become multi-functional objects, and our living room is now a home office, classroom and the studio for our live global broadcasts.

These new circumstances have led us to reflect on many things: the concepts of comfort and sincerity, and the value that we place on small, everyday pleasures.

The ideas that I’ll share in this article aren’t just a response to the immediate situation, many of these trends were already emerging and have simply been accelerated by the current global slowdown.

We can summarise them as follows:

Simple shapes

If current interior design (and furniture design, by association) could be summed up by one trend, it would have to be the return of basic forms. A newly-updated library of geometric shapes with arcs and rounded lines among the highlights. Friendly shapes, free of sharp edges, that exude calm and confidence.

Properly sustainable materials

The focus on our planet’s health has gone from being a trend to a necessity. Sustainability makes our furniture even more beautiful, as does the use of natural materials. Wood, fabric and stone make for stunning furniture and their imperfections give it authenticity. Then there’s the combination of these materials with metallic elements in different finishes (lacquered, oxidised, etc.) and the use of natural fibres such as wool and linen. As a result, we’re seeing a decreasing use of furniture made from plastic and its by-products.

Artisanal techniques

As we continue our quest to express the true essence of an object, we should mention the revival of traditional craft techniques and the materials associated with them, such as wicker, rattan, ceramics and leather.

Calming colours, tones and textures

Another growing trend is the return of the use of colour. Unlike in previous decades, however, the last few years have seen a tendency towards less saturated colours, always used in harmony with several different shades: greeny-blues, pinks, yellowy-oranges, as well as the use of various different tones of the same colour. And accompanied by an ever-present array of statement textures in upholstery and other fabrics.