It's been 82 years since Julie Garland's character, Dorothy, first uttered, "There's no place like home," in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. And though it's always been true, the phrase has taken on a deeper, more profound meaning over the last year. The pandemic has changed life as we know it in every way, especially how we live in our homes. No longer a pit stop between work and social outings, our homes are now the epicentre of our lives.

2020 interior design predictions called for bold colours, terrazzo flooring and geometric lighting. But who cares about the kitchen's angular, art deco lighting when you're working two feet from your homeschooled 6-year-old. More people spending time at home means more people rethinking their living space. Hence, the rise in decorating projects, refreshed home offices and investing in the home's overall look and feel.

There's a shift to transform the house into a multipurpose sanctuary, and top design trends are changing to accommodate this shift. This year's trend isn't so much about style as it is about multi-functional spaces, sustainability and comfort.

From cozy, dreamy accents, calming, nature-inspired hues to the beauty of the outdoors retreating indoors, we're all looking to our homes to bring that sense of calm, stability, and solace we can't find anywhere else in the world. Here are three ways you can adapt your home decor style to the new normal.


Bring the Outdoors, Indoors

It’s normal to try and anchor ourselves to the parts of the universe that remain unchanged in uncertain times. The sky, water, earth and other natural elements make us feel refreshed, tranquil, and zen. After spending so much time indoors, there's a desire to bring the outdoors’ natural materials into our homes.

Earthy pigments like terra cotta, shades of blue, deeply nourishing greens and Pantone’s colour of the year, grey, are subtle comforts to the eye, bridging the gap between outdoor and indoor interiors. Floors made of wood, stone, and bamboo materials are excellent for creating an instant natural ambience and inviting an effortless vacation style to your dining room’s atmosphere with wicker and rattan furniture.

Bring your favourite tree indoors. Fiddle leaf fig trees, your very own garden room or, finally, get your hands on that lemon tree you've been ogling. Of course, the use of fresh flowers and indoor plants is a tried and true decorating trend for 2021 and beyond.


Maximize the Comfort

Soft, fluffy carpets, meditation pillows, and a sofa so comfortable you want to lounge for hours on end. Spending the time and money to make every square inch of your home cozy and relaxing is the way forward. The couch is regaining significance as the focal point of the living room. With work-from-home orders staying in effect for the foreseeable future, the sofa is not just for relaxing but also for sleeping, working, eating and more.

Upgrading to a velvety couch, using soothing colour palettes in your bedroom or adding furry throw pillows for the ultimate comfort is up to you. You can even do a plush area rug, shearling ottomans or seating upholstered in fuzzy boucles. Think of this trend as the design equivalent of the athleisure you've been sporting all year: comfy and suitable for running errands but stylish enough to make a statement.


Say Hello to Granny Chic

For obvious reasons, the pandemic has made us all long for simpler times. Like sitting on your grandmother's embroidered floral couch as the aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air. This trend is a nostalgic look back to the ghost of designs past a mix and match of colours, mid-century modern wallpaper.

Think spaces with thoughtful furniture pieces and antiques acquired over time rather than staged or bought to fit a particular design aesthetic. The best part about this 2021 interior design trend is its sustainability. Revamping, recycling, and refreshing items from a vintage store or fabulous antique shop is excellent for your pockets and supports a local business.

This style is all about mixing the old with the new. Try a few small pieces like frilly throw pillows, old books, candles as dining table centrepieces and clutter core tables that create visual interest or go all out with patterned wallpapers, floral drapes, and crown mouldings.