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.
