Lockdown Interior Trends
Author: Millie Williams-Thomas
2020 was the year of change! We were all forced to adapt the way we live and work, and therefore it is not surprising that our homes have also had to change to allow them to remain functional for the new normal. Coronavirus shaped how we decorate our interiors, as our homes no longer just became a place to live but also our office, gym, school and studio all in one. We saw open plan living spaces being broken up, as people seek separation between their work life and where they go to relax. An influx of room dividers from bookshelves to curtains, and even crittall style dividers, have become a popular way to instantly divide up a space, creating separation without making any permanent changes.
As we now see light at the end of the tunnel, 2021 interior trends not only reflect the hope for change, but also new perspectives and needs the virus has left us wanting. This can be seen through the use of colour. Warm earthy colours bringing the outside in, while it has become popular to add a pop of colour through the use of accessories. Adding pops of yellows through cushions, artwork and even flowers such as daffodils brighten up the room. These spark joy and hope as we move into spring. These little attributes help to brighten up the day and stay positive.
Home offices are here to stay. Even when things slowly go back to normal, jobs will most likely still enable remote employment. This will result in people designing their homes differently as people need quiet and private work environments at home. To accommodate this, more permanent workspaces are being built compared to the current makeshift office set ups. 2021 has seen people move out of town in the search of more space and to immerse themselves with the great outdoors as they no longer have to commute. Others have been turning guest rooms into more permanent home offices, to create this much needed work from home set up.
With people spending more time at home it has given them the opportunity to invest in the upkeep of indoor plants. This has been a way of bringing the outdoors in, at a time when we have been restricted to our homes. This is going to continue as indoor plants become a main feature to our interior décor. They not only freshen the air, but they bring clarity and a sense of calm and nature to our everyday. Acting like sculptures on a shelf or tabletop, building a collection of interior plants wins on all levels: Aesthetically, functionally and good for our mental health.