Home: Our Newer World

From deciding on spaces, fabrics and furnishings to the choice of colours, this new year we seek comfort and tranquillity in home decor.

The year 2021 is a time of dialogue between the dreariness of the past and optimism for the future. While we are embracing comfort and positivity, we are also imagining the sentiment to be embedded in our living spaces.

L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now

This year the home decor trends will be centring around comfort and hope, which implies that we might cut down on tones of maximalism. Anything loud, overtly stuffed and sumptuously layered will be out while facile trends for the tranquillizing effect are in.

Multifunctional spaces and furniture

From work from home schedules to zoom calls, gymming, yoga, spa, and finding snuggling nooks to read books, the home has become our world. With so much to do at one place, multifunctionality has become a leading trend. So multi-purpose furniture that exudes versatility is going to remain in trend while the only plush decor is going to be outdated said home decor designer Rukmini Ray Kadam. “Rounded furniture, extra padded sofas where you can curl up, soft, organic fabric, informal dinings are going to rule. Formal looking furniture and just aesthetic pieces will become outdated as we are trying to do everything from home and would want all of them to have a purpose.”

She further suggested seeing spaces in the home in a new light this year and adding elements that serve many purposes. “Add work desks that can very well be vanity when not in use. Add a study chair that blends with the taste of your home and doesn’t look like one. If you share spaces, a bed table can be a fine investment.”

Use plants

This year is all about channelling positivity and coming out of the sullen state of mind. Thus eco decor emerges as a key trend to make spaces look happier and modish at the same time. One can create a small window garden at home or just incorporate plants in corners and at ceilings. Less demanding plants that can survive indoors and provide high oxygen levels are a la mode this year. From Ficus, Snake Plant, Cane, Small Arabica to the elegant ones like String of Pearls, Peace Lilies, Asparagus Ferns, plants have a calming effect on senses and can soothe us in unsettling times.

Pantone colour of the year

Pantone has kept up with its legacy of naming the colour of the year that has captured the imagination of people across the globe. For 2021 the institute has named Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow as the eponymous colours that are bespoke of different elements coming together to instil strength and positivity. The dual harmony encapsulates feelings of thoughtfulness and a promise for a bright and affable future. One can expect this sunny colour combination to trend in home decor this year and convey the moods, thoughts and ideas. The colour combination heralds unity and mutual support that evolved in us amid a global crisis.

Soothing colour palette

Besides Pantone, earthy overtones and colours that are bespoke of palliative tones shall remain. Rapturously bold colours are going to be out of fashion. “I’d say lots of neutral, clay, tinted whites and warm wood will be in trend. We are recovering from the most dreadful year and some serenity will certainly help”, said Kadam.

One can also go for Dulux Pebbleton, Blush, Pale Yellow, Tan, Camel and neutralized shades of Rattan, Lilac, Burnt Orange while playing with colours for their furniture, ceilings, walls and upholstery.

Sustainable decor

Gone are the days of waste, it’s time to make the best out of waste! With that spirit, repurposing old items and using them again has become a trend to cut down waste. “There are tons of ideas to repurpose old items. For example, pet bottles can very well be your microgreen planter, use an old tyre to make an ottoman, repurpose old fabric to cushion cover- the possibilities are endless”, said Kadam.

One can also go for using discarded old drawers as repurposed decorative shelves, old glass jars as hanging flower pots, broken chairs as plant stands and many more.

Durable fabrics

With so much time being spent at homes, what we seek for this year in textiles is durability.

Fabrics that have longevity like Linen are pragmatic options as they do not wither with time upon multiple washes and retain their aesthetic textures. So, all we look for in our bedsheets, cushion covers, curtains, carpets and table mats is a fabric that does not lose its strength and glory.

From the January 2021 issue of L’Officiel India.