The past year has strongly influenced our approach to interior design across residential, commercial, and business spaces. 2020 witnessed many of these changes as we made shifts to new ways living, working, and playing.

As individuals started working from home and students began distance learning, there was a need to set up home offices and study nooks. Stay-at-home orders meant households had to get creative with keeping family members engaged, especially children and seniors who are strictly prohibited from venturing out. The global botanic boom saw a rise in plant enthusiasts—a function of a human need to nurture and commune with nature in a world in lock down

Businesses, especially those in the F&B industry, began incorporating safer design that encourages social distancing and outdoor dining. New safety standards were likewise employed in the back-of-house of these restaurants as a response to the urgent need for greater occupational safety among kitchen staff and employees.

As the world continues to recover from the pandemic and new hopes arise from the current rollout of vaccines, so will the spaces people thrive in and the design decisions they make. The way we plan, construct, lay out, decorate, and illuminate our spaces will also continue to be informed by the aesthetic and functional requirements of life in the new normal.

What can we expect in 2021? Here are some trends to look out for!

Modern interpretations of Nostalgic Interiors

With home dwellers continuing to spend more time at home, the benchmark of comfort continues to rise. According to Homes and Gardens, homey interiors with a nod to cottage and country-inspired interiors will make up some of the 2021 interior trends, thanks to the comfort and warmth that these evoke.

However, expect a modern interpretation of these classic styles. Cottagecore for example injects rustic elements into one’s home. Include pieces that are not just visually pleasing but comfortable and durable. Think plush sofas and chairs. You can also incorporate vintage or repurposed furniture and home decor into your space to cop that nostalgic feel.

Localize this trend by adding local textures, materials, and patterns to your home. Think capiz, natural stone, wood, and rattan. Keep it contemporary by combining these with modern design elements.

This trend is certainly departure from the modern industrial and minimalist that has cropped up in recent years.

Maximalism

Go big or go home may very well be one of 2021’s design mantras, but this has more to do with curating quality, statement pieces that speaks to your personal design personality. With work, play, and family life becoming increasingly centered around the home, a space filled with items that speak to you, serve your needs, and make you happy is more crucial than ever.

The design choices we will make in 2021 will continue to be informed by choosing furniture and decor that are visually stunning yet practical. How to incorporate thoughtful maximalism in your space?

·  ​Consider investing in durable pieces that will stand up to increased activity in the home.

·  ​If you live in a smaller home such as a studio unit, look for well-built multi-functional furniture.

·  ​Incorporate a functional pièce de résistance in your space. For example, a statement shelf to serve as cluster storage for work and school books. A decorative chandelier also works by creating mood via light and providing visual interest.

·  ​Invest in an art piece.

Yellow and grey color palette

Pantone named Ultimate Gray and Illuminating as the2021 colors of the year.  The combination of a cool steely color and a sunshine-inspired hue is representative of strength and optimism amid challenging times. Incorporating this palette into your home also works well when combined with other colors. Pantone’s recommendations include:

·  ​Adding vibrant peacock blues and greens for an aviary-inspired color story.

·  ​Injecting soft pastels such as lilac, pink, and blue.

·  ​Mixing in spicy, fall colors such as a rusty orange, magenta, and a green-golden nude.

Natural Elements

Architectural Digest notes a rise in the biomimicry of decorative items used in the home. These refer to pieces that emulate shapes and forms found in nature, but also designs that are eco-friendly. Biomimicry can be observed in architecture and industrial design. The Shanghai Natural History Museum is one notable example. Look for decorative items inspired by organic lines and patterns, from large pieces like a curving area rug to smaller items like dinnerware. Supporting Filipino-owned businesses that create sustainable items and products for the home is also a great place to start.

Secondly, as plants continue to trend, the option to grow your own vegetables and herbs is now possible with kits widely available across local e-commerce sites. Just check out these food towers, indoor herb gardens, and hydroponic systems.

And while Pantone declared grey and yellow as colors of the year, green will likewise trend this year in keeping with the rise in organic, nature-inspired design. It certainly helps as well that green evokes feelings of calm and wellness.

The Zoom-friendly space

With virtual meetings and social gatherings taking place more often, the need for what Vogue callszoom-friendly spaces has become a pandemic design essential. Carving out spaces that are conducive to work and study has become instrumental in creating work-life balance at home. This includes:

·  ​Using natural light, task light, and ambient light to illuminate a space.

·  ​Organizing office and study essentials.

·  ​Incorporating calming elements such as indoor plants.

·  ​Setting the scene for a visually-friendly “zoom background” by curating decorative pieces and removing eyesores like dirty laundry.

Design trends are dynamic and as 2021 progresses, our home’s interior design will continue to evolve with our evolving needs. These may be challenging times, but how we decorate and organize our spaces can contribute to helping us become happier, healthier, and more productive.

Whatever your design style, creating a home that is highly-personalized, comfortable, relaxing, and conducive to work and play will be key to a better quality of life in 2021.