Out With The Old, In With The New: Off-Trend Interiors You Won’t See in 2021

2020 was undoubtedly a year like no other, and for the most part it’s likely to be a year we’re eager to put behind us. But in order to move forward, you often need to look back.

That’s why before we bid 2020 a firm farewell for good, we wanted to take stock of some of last year’s interior design trends that are falling out of favour, and tease you with what 2021 has in store when it comes to interior design ideas.

Move over minimalism

At the start of 2020, the minimalist interior trend provided the perfect remedy to hectic lifestyles, serving up a clutter-free, clean aesthetic. But that’s changing. 

What’s replaced pared-back interiors isn’t clutter-filled rooms, but more thoughtful design that puts emphasis on comfort and entertainment. Not surprising when we’re all spending the large part of our days at home and need more ‘things’ to keep our attention amidst uncertainty.  

This means that we’re likely to see interiors that embrace more objects, different textures and colours to create a layered and more eclectic aesthetic. The result will be spaces that feel more homely and appeal to different senses at any given time.

Goodbye to bland decor 

Cool and neutral hues have been staple interior design trends for some years. But living most of the year amidst a pandemic and confined to the same four walls day in day out has seen many of us crave a little colour and vibrancy in our homes.

This means we can expect to see neutrals take a backseat in 2021, or at the very least sitting alongside more vivid colours such as sunshine yellow, soft greens, rusty oranges and deep mulberry. These hues are thought to offer the comfort and vibrancy many of us crave when working, living, socialising and more at home.

Certainly when it comes to tile trends, last year saw more searches for coloured tiles in pinks, greens, blues and golds over subtle or classic hues, which could mark the beginning of a new colour-filled era for interior design ideas.

Neutral hues won’t be completely obsolete in the coming year, but will lean more towards complex neutrals that offer a deeper, earthier alternative to your typical while, grey and cream.  This is all to do with a desire for a closer connection to nature and warmth that evokes a sense of comfort and homeliness. 

Open-plan spaces

Other popular interior design trends that are falling to the wayside include open-plan living spaces. With the pandemic forcing us to use our homes in previously unexplored ways for working, homeschooling and exercising, open-plan concepts no longer provide the practicality needed for multi-use rooms. 

The need for more privacy, particularly in family households, has spurred a move towards creating divisions between spaces. This could be anything from free-standing room dividers (aka your vintage folding screens) to partitioning doors and windows that create a sound-blocking barrier or physical separation between specific areas of the home – be that a work from home space or relaxation corner. 

Similarly, we’re likely to see single-use rooms and areas gradually fade out in favour of multi-functional rooms that cater for different uses simultaneously. We’re talking living rooms with zones for TV, games, reading and more or bedrooms that contain a home office or exercise space. The key takeaway here is that with so much time being spent at home, very few homes can afford to have a room that has just one purpose. 

Out with quick-fix interiors

In years gone by it was easy to switch up your home interiors with some cheap and easily accessible furniture and accessories. However, many of these items aren’t designed to last and may not be the best for the environment. 

With this in mind, we’re likely to see homeowners investing in home decor updates that focus on durability and sustainability rather than quick wins. This could be down to the added expense of frequent replacements with greater daily use, or simply a more eco-conscious view of living – either way, we can expect to see more people plumping for well-made pieces that are designed to last longer than a passing trend. 

Eschewing fast-furniture and interior design updates in favour of unique, durable pieces affords homeowners the opportunity to really put their own stamp on a space, all while ensuring it has evergreen potential to adapt to their ever-changing needs. This could be opting for long-lasting floor tiles or hand-crafted wooden tables – the key is that people will be more likely to prioritise longevity with future interior updates. 

If you’re looking to give your home an on-trend update this year, then it pays to keep these waning concepts in mind to ensure your home decor doesn’t become dated quickly. The secret? Assessing exactly what you need your home to be and finding the right style that provides the right comfort, functionality and style that suits you. 

Whether you fancy giving your bathroom a colourful update with some new bathroom tiles or you want to give your living room a more homely and warm feel with wood-effect tiles, our expansive tiles range has plenty of options to get you inspired. You can even order small tile samples from as little as £1.99, giving you the chance to play around with a few options before committing to a particular design!