Designers are always trying to predict the future because we want to help our clients make good decisions as they renovate and design their homes. Here are seven trends we’re seeing as we start to emerge from the craziness of the past year!

Trend #1- Add Glamour

Athleisure, “comfy clothes”, and stretchy pants have been staples of pandemic life, but are they here to stay? Personally, I think it’s time for some clothes with buttons and zippers! I think the same will also be true for our homes. While we won’t move toward something overly formal, we will emphasize celebrating everyday life.

I know some of you will cringe, but you can definitely expect to see more gold. It truly is here to stay! I also expect to see more polished nickel and shiny metals, higher lacquer on furniture, more ornate furniture, wallpaper (yes, wallpaper!), and glamorous porcelain accessories. Overall, we’ll see less minimalism because a little more is ok!

Trend #2- “Au Natural”

Much to Jack’s dismay, this doesn’t mean we’ll all be running around without clothes on. Instead, this trend focuses on bringing nature inside!

For so long the home building trend has been tiny little windows, but now we’re seeing bigger homes with bigger windows to let in more light! People are also bringing more plants into their homes and using more natural materials like marble, stone, and wood.

If you’ve been to a cabinet maker lately, you’ve probably noticed more wood options (suddenly we have flat-front wood cabinets!). While these materials have always been here, we’re beginning to see them more prominently. We’re also seeing marble tables and kitchen surfaces, less metal furniture, more wood furniture, and cottons and linens for upholstered items.

Trend #3- YOLO

YOLO: You only live once. This motto isn’t anything new, but it is changing the way we view our lives and how we want to live. It’s even changing how we design our homes!

People are really upping their design choices and taking it “all the way” versus only looking at the budget-friendly option. We’re seeing homeowners building new fireplaces where there wasn’t one before, using the most amazing materials, and maximizing their budget to get the design they really want.

Trend #4- Tech Revolution

It really is pretty amazing how much we are able to do from home. In the past year, many of us have been working and schooling right from our kitchens, bedrooms, and home offices. Because of this, we’re seeing many more tech-driven features in our homes (think robot lawn mowers and asking Alexa to lower your blinds from bed!) and I know Jack’s on board with that! I, on the other hand, am a little more old school.

Trend #5- Nomadism

Jack’s super excited about this one! He’s already been planning how we can move to Greece on a digital nomad visa! Even if you’re not planning on being a nomad yourself, you can still apply the idea of nomadism to where you live right now. With nomadism, you’re going to be craving design elements from other places like African busts, Persian or Turkish rugs, and maybe even tilework inspiration from Lisbon.

Trend #6- Bunkering

Bunker of Valentina? No, not so fast! Even though some people are building actual bunkers, that’s not the only way people will be “bunkering down” post-pandemic. Many of us want to travel, but we also want to come home at the end of it!

For home trends, people are going to continue making their home their safe haven. We’re seeing people buying bigger homes that allow them to have more space and room for activities and entertainment (think movie theater rooms, more office space, and even rooms for schooling).

Trend #7- Return of Classics

There’s been so much change over the last year, so we want a design that feels timeless. We’re seeing sofas with clean lines, classic patterns (still with a twist!), furniture with lasting quality (think Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma for inspiration), classic-shaped lamps, books, candle holders, and planters that you’ll keep for years and years.

Even though it can feel like these trends might be in conflict with one another, it is possible to incorporate them into your home in a way that feels right for you and for how you use your home. We want adventure, but we want to feel grounded.

Is there something we left off the list? Let us know in the comments!