We Knew These 6 Design Trends Would Dominate in 2021

Clever's 2022 Trend ForecastWe Knew These 6 Interior Design Trends Would Dominate in 2021 Not to brag, but we pretty much nailed our predictions

By Sophia Herring

December 23, 2021

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A play of shapes and colors define this Postmodern inspired London kitchen. Photo: French + Tye 

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How we dress used to be the go-to form of self-expression. In a day and age where we see others a bit less and the inside of our personal dwellings a bit more, this trend has undoubtedly made its way into the home as well. Not only can interiors express personality, they can also define your day and mood—perhaps even more so than an outfit can.

Ahead of the start of this year, we made a few trend predictions for 2021. After the many perils and darkness of 2020, it was to be expected that people wanted their homes to be a place of color and fun. From wiggly and playful designs to colorful shapes reflective of the postmodernist era, joy was the name of the game. Time and again, this trend proved to stick. Even the sleek black kitchen that we thought would prevail seemed to give way to a new, color-accented version. (Though it seems the black kitchen may soon be overtaken by the black bathroom, the moody space of the moment.) Here are six interior design trends that proved to be just as popular this year as we expected.

Susan Alexandra's sunny awning exudes joy onto Orchard Street. 

Joy

This year has shown us the multitude of meanings joy takes on in the world of design. When it came to retail, we saw Susan Alexandra’s unapologetically cheerful flagship store tiled to the brim with poppy colors and fitted with retro glass blocks. Glossier, on the other hand, exuded joy in its new Melrose Avenue outpost through a chic monochrome space adorned head-to-toe in a signature pastel pink. Homes also brought the joy indoors, whether it was masterfully confined to the dimensions of a tightly packed kitchen, or spread throughout the London town house of quirky designer and knickknack collector extraordinaire Coco Fennell.

Squiggles and wiggles

When it comes to this trend, we would be remiss not to mention the iconic Ultra Fregola mirror—perhaps the O.G. segue into the wiggle era. Long before the motif found its way to the countless tables, trimmings, and chairs we see today, it was captured time and time again in the form of the luminous mirror by Ettore Sottsass that graces the homes of countless supermodels and celebrities. Either way, the trend is here to stay. And for good reason—it’s the perfect detail to add a playful touch to just about any place or piece of furniture—such as along the custom-designed headboard of one artist duo’s bed. Companies such as Wiggle Room devote their entire brand to mastering the wiggle as it continues to grow in popularity.

Transparency

This is a long overdue trend that will never go out of style. Since 2020 shed light on some of the harrowing work conditions produced by a particularly challenging time, consumers want to know the story behind their products. This means a focus not only on ethical and environmentally conscious products, but the brands behind them, championing diverse companies and BIPOC-owned businesses. In the world of bedding, bamboo and hemp sheets have become all the rage, offering a sustainable and soft alternative to the typical cotton.

Moss green and black interplay to create a striking visual in this Australian kitchen. 

Photo: The StylesmithsBlack kitchens with a twist

While 2021 was clearly all about color, when it came to the kitchen we expected all things black to take charge. And though it definitely had a few moments, such as this minimalist ashy-oak setup in a New York brownstone, it wasn’t the only reigning theme. Sometimes it fused with other colors, such as in this Australian countryside kitchen, to add a bit of playfulness. Other times, dark tones provided the sophistication of black while still allowing for a bit of color. (See this transformed cottage kitchen.) One thing’s for sure: White cabinetry is a thing of the past.

A multi-colored home inspired by Postmodernism pops with hues of blue, pink, and yellow. 

Personalization and self-expression

Since 2020, we’ve noticed a drastic spike in renovation projects. Spending more time at home than ever before, it’s no surprise that people increasingly felt the need for change. For many, home became all-encompassing: a place to work, live, and exercise all under one roof. As this change sunk in, we predicted to see personalization and self-expression flourish. And right we were! The unique spaces featured on Clever in 2021 delightfully captured the quirks, collectibles, and all-around personalities of various homeowners. From this eclectic Parisian apartment brimming with artworks and antiques to the maximalist pad of the floral designer Maurice Harris, each space is one-of-a-kind.

Postmodernism

Around 50 years ago, postmodernism rose as a response to the restrained and minimalist aesthetic of modernism and the International Style. As Robert Venturi once replied to Mies van der Rohe, “Less is a bore.” The trend returns as a new Renaissance, a far cry from the minimalist homes that once defined modern chic. The concept of postmodernism wholeheartedly embraces a mishmash of colors, shapes, and styles. It is playful, stimulating, and can take on countless iterations, as we’ve seen throughout the year—in chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s test kitchen, for one, where circles interplay with grids and shelving accented in yellow and pinks. Or you can follow the trend in this cheerful London kitchen, which evokes Memphis-era Sottsass through its play on shapes, materials, and candy-coated colors.

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