Most of us would not say we are sad to see 2020 go. After a year that guided many of us to spend more time at home we have gained a different perspective and deeper appreciation for the place we call home. The arrival of the new year is an opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to our living spaces. With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus in early spring, many people pivoted to working, playing, exercising, and socializing virtually from home. 2020 was a year many of us went back to basics, going for neighbourhood walks, baking bread and planting a garden.

In turn, this made the way we live in, decorate and furnish our spaces more important than ever.

We found smart ways to design a home office even in a shared space, bedroom, basements, closets and in some cases even bathrooms accommodated a work from home space.

Working, playing and living in the same space forced us to reflect, dissect and evaluate how we live in our homes, how it makes us feel and how we may want to improve or change our surroundings.

We fully expect that 2021 will be a continuation of these trends. The new year is an opportunity to improve our relationship with our surroundings. We expect to see some amazing fresh ideas, with everything from calming Zen room ideas to stylish and smart approaches to reimagining your outdoor living options. We predict a big focus on home office design to accommodate virtual learning for our kids and efficient, well organized work-from-home spaces.

Many designers have their sights set on fresh ideas, fearless colours and textures, and sustainable and lasting choices. We are seeing a mix between the clean lines of a sleek, modern minimalist design mixed with the cozy details and comfort of Grandma’s house. This style has been dubbed Grandmillenial and it works surprisingly well.

Pretty florals and a big dose of elegance works well mixed with these clean lines, and it gives us the security and comfort we are seeking inside our homes.

We are expecting to see some bold geometric patterns with earthy tones and layers of patterns and colour. After 2020 we are all ready to celebrate life in design choices that scream happiness and joy. Get ready for eye catching not-so-subtle pattern choices and big outspoken colour combos like fuscia and grassy green, punchy turquoise and retro orange in bold patterns and shapes. 2021 is the year to be brave.

As we spend much more time living our lives on the inside of our homes, at least for the first half of 2021, you can still have fun and these lively colours and bold patterns will help you get there. One thing that has become clear is that you can dare to be authentic, add colour, mix styles and personality and it works.

After 10 plus months of being confined–much of that to the indoors–we are seeking all of the nature we can get. Our interest in sustainability is becoming more important and we are seeing that reflected on the inside of our homes as well. A strategy to celebrate the outdoors in unexpected ways is another trend we are seeing.  The addition of large indoor house plants, the use of colours and forms typically found in nature has been on the rise, earthy tones and celebratory colours we often see in our gardens are showing up in unexpected places such as a pillow or on a coffee table.

We are seeing the trend shift away from traditional white kitchens and we are excited to welcome the new colour trend for many designers–black. This strong colour choice can help create a distinction between the kitchen and living area in an open concept space. Black cabinetry can create interest in a space that previously may not have stood out.

People lost the opportunity to show their style and personality on a daily basis when sweatpants became their daily uniform. Today we are seeing that people are expressing themselves in every room of their homes. Look for a revival of the past, you can expect to see some of the bright, impactful, geometric patterns of the 60’s, the bold colours and earthy tones of the 70’s all mixed in with the infusion of personality and the desire for comfort and stability of 2020.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful homes in 2021.