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One thing that Pandemic lockdown taught us is to be prepared for the unexpected and face its challenges with composure and calm. It also proved the ability to adjust not only our daily routine but our homes too were transformed into schools, offices, gyms, and getaway areas – and proved how we got creative in redesigning and furnishing these spaces.
As the new understanding of the importance of home design ushers in, let's analyze a few design trends that can entice your imagination for a dream home.
1. Islands in the Stream
It’s not surprising that every year, the kitchen has a presence in home design trends. Whether it is bold backsplashes, floating shelving that replaces cabinetry, countertops, or walk-in pantries, kitchen elements seem to always get the attention of designers.
In 2021, the focus in the kitchen and a definite “must-have” is a double-island design.
Just think of all the additional counter space at your disposal with a pair of kitchen islands. You can designate one for meal preparation and serving and the other one solely for dining and gathering/socializing. In addition to all the functional space, double islands also improve traffic flow as the chefs, family members, and guests walk to, from, and around the space.
Another thing to keep in mind – you don’t need a large kitchen to accommodate double islands. It’s just important to have properly sized and designed islands to fit into your kitchen space.
2. High on High Ceilings
While nine-foot-high ceilings are now the industry standard for new construction, some homeowners who long for the grandeur of really high ceilings are including 10- to 12-foot high structures on their "must-have” features. Reminiscent of the ceilings in homes built between 1890 and 1940, modern high ceilings are appealing and enhance the spaciousness and elegance of a home.
From vaulted to beamed, barrel, tray, and coffered, there are many high-ceiling variations that you’ll see in homes. These are a few of the more popular ones.
Conventional – The norm in most homes, this ceiling is usually nine feet high and is a flat, seamless surface.
Vaulted – Usually associated with churches and basilicas, a vaulted ceiling is any ceiling constructed with a self-supporting arch, with many variations to achieve different looks. Most commonly found in Great Rooms, open kitchen-dining rooms, and sometimes bedrooms and bathrooms, vaulted ceilings have been transformed over centuries and seen in traditional and contemporary homes. Among vaulted ceiling, styles are barrel vault, groin vault, and dome vault.
Barrel-Vaulted – This simple and popular style resembles a barrel cut in half and dates back to Babylon and Sumerian architects who used clay mortar and fired brick. It is also known as a tunnel vault or wagon vault. You can incorporate barrel vaults in foyers, hallways, kitchens, bedrooms, master baths, and Great Rooms.
Tray Ceiling – Described as a raised portion of a ceiling that creates a second, higher ceiling, this type of vaulted ceiling is also known as an inverted or recessed ceiling. It features a center section that is several inches (or a foot or more) higher than the rest of the ceiling. It presents a lot of design options to make the ceiling into a focal point – like the use of colors painted on the trim, installing hidden tube lighting along the perimeter of the tray, or hanging a chandelier, pendant light, or ceiling fan.
3. Rethink the Bathroom
“Free-standing tubs especially jacuzzi tubs are on-trend now,” according to Ar. Susweta Das Dutta says that “more and more people are taking it out and enlarging the showers as well as going with a Roman walk-in type shower.”
Rethink the Bathroom – Over the last 10 years, the popularity of the half bath and Jack and Jill bathroom has been on the rise. a bathroom was generally built for the use of bedroom occupants – and placed around a hallway so that guests could also get access to it easily. But modern times and designs have changed this format and concept.
Today, the powder room or half bath is more centrally located in the home – away from bedrooms – and is used mostly by guests.
The hall bathroom has been modified to a Jack and Jill to serve only the bedrooms and their occupants. Simply put, this is a full bathroom – with two sinks, a toilet, bath/shower – shared between two bedrooms, with doors entering from each room. For the privacy of occupants, there should be locks on the bathroom and bedroom doors.
4. Multi-Functional Spaces
“Stay-at-home” has definitely changed the look of our homes. They are now – not only our dwelling places – but also schools, offices, gyms, recreation areas, and “staycation” destinations.
One of the newest home trends – and challenges – in 2021 is creating versatile and convenient multi-functional spaces in the home that accommodate all these needs – without adding costs or altering floor plans. With more people working from home (WFH), quiet spaces that allow privacy will be included in the interior design of homes to serve as home offices, Skype, and Zoom rooms.
For example, if the home has both an eat-in kitchen and a separate dining room (that’s used only on big holidays), store the dining table elsewhere and repurpose that room into an office or school workspace. If the master suite has a small space used as a sitting room, you can convert that into a home office. Be creative with the available space in your home.
5. Staying Active – And Healthy
While exercise rooms at home have been around for years, they take on new importance in 2021 because of the pandemic. Most health clubs and gyms across the country are closing or at reduced capacity, and with stay-at-home directives, people are just not motivated to get out of the confines of their space to exercise.
So dedicated spaces for home gyms and play areas will be particularly important in 2021. Families need getaway time and space to “play” and unwind. Any outdoor space or indoor corner with a wall can serve as an exercise space.
6. Farmhouse Goes Chic
The biggest trend expected now is to be country living designs – basically the Contemporary Farmhouse – amidst nature. It’s the same warmth and comfortable feel mixed with sleek clean lines and materials like natural wood and Bricks and Exposed concrete with large openings.
Look forward to elements like white vertical siding – usually board and batten – and/or white painted brick not only in Contemporary Farmhouse styles but also in Ranch and Cottage plans. A timeless and classic paint color, white is always stylish and great for the home’s curb appeal. And the right shade of white paint can do wonders for the home’s exterior. In combination with the home’s structural elements like wood and brick, the white tones give the front facade an attractive and pleasing look. Then there are dark accents – window trims, shutters, doors, and metal roofing.
7. More Light and openness with Large, Straight-line Windows
Windows – in all shapes and sizes – are must-haves in any home. They provide more light in the home, making the interiors brighter and breezier. In 2021, new home construction will feature large – often multi-pane or even floor-to-ceiling – windows.
With all the natural light that filters into the home through large windows, staying at home – especially during the pandemic – is more conducive for the family.
8. Outdoor Space Makeover
Perhaps it’s time to reimagine and transform that outdoor entertaining space. One of the popular exterior home design trends is the pergola. An outdoor structure consisting of columns that support roofing of beams and rafters, pergolas have been around for a while – and if you watch HGTV shows, you’ve seen a few of them.
A pergola enhances the backyard, extends the home’s entertaining space outdoors, and provides shade and privacy.
9. Think Universal Design (accessible to specially-abled)
ArcOnites note that “In the last year, people of more age are planning for the senior years.” With Baby Boomers now in their senior years – and with some already with disabilities – we will see this trend on an upward tick in the coming years. Currently, ArcOn Design’s philosophy includes wheelchair accessibility – as in wider doors and hallways, and easy access to plumbed fixtures such as toilets and sinks, as per the international Universal design guidelines.
10. Color it Tranquil
The color palette is a mix of earthy tones and ocean blues to bring warmth and comfort to the home. Paint companies have come up with a combination of color trends including rusts, warm greens, deep reds, soft gray, Slubby browns, taupes, shades of blue (aqua, teal), and lavender. All these shades were selected to evoke a feeling of comfort, peace, and serenity – just what we need during these challenging times.
11. Expand the Garage
Need room for another car or cars? Increasing the garage is a BIG trend now. The most common expansion is from a one-car to a two-car garage. In many cases, there are even homes with four or more garage bays. This added space not only is used to hold cars but can serve as both workspaces for the little Steve Jobs in the making or just as extra storage.
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