We might be two months into a new year, but we’re still living and working in a global pandemic. There’s always been a need for functionality in the home, but that need was taken to a whole new level in 2020. For the past year, we’ve been attending work, school, birthday parties, graduations and pretty much everything else virtually, and we’ve spent more time than ever within the four walls of our homes.

This new everything-from-home lifestyle has completely shifted how you feel and operate in your home. More than ever, you seek comfort, practicality and joy from your living spaces. MOOD | Design + Build, residential interior designers in Chicago, are design experts and know what it takes to create spaces that are customized for your lifestyle needs and make you happy just being in them.

To keep you in the know about the top interior design trends in 2021, MOOD | Design + Build breaks down what’s in and out this year for design.

Multifunctional Spaces

Starting in 2020, we all got a crash course in how to live, work, home-school, exercise and do everything in our homes. As you continue to spend a lot of time inside in 2021, you’re going to want interiors that are beautiful and functional to meet your family’s needs. Single-purpose spaces and furnishings are out, and livable luxury is in! There is no longer a need for rooms that serve a single purpose or having furniture pieces that are uncomfortable for you or your family. Residential interior designers in Chicago, like MOOD | Design + Build, can reimagine your current home layout and provide you with interiors that perfectly balance beauty with function.

MOOD | Design + Build Tips for Multifunctional Spaces

Survey your rooms to see which could function better for your family. Make a list of areas you love, areas you don’t love, and areas you feel neutral about. This will help you figure out the rooms that need attention first and know what you’ll need most in those spaces.
Add a game table into your main living space to provide additional seating, as well as a place for kids to play games, do homework or enjoy a snack.
If you don’t have a dedicated space for a modern home office, consider creating a beautiful desk set up in the corner of your bedroom. Include a desk lamp for additional lighting, fresh flowers for color and aroma and a picture that reminds you of a happy memory for your desk.

Cozy and Comforting Furniture

At this point, we’re accustomed to doing everything alongside all of our family members or roommates in our homes. Because of this, you’re looking for better ways to make yourself comfortable and give yourself a little extra peace of mind. In 2021, more rigid and less comfortable furniture is out (think mid-century modern styles), and soft, comfy sofas and chairs are in. Seeing that you’ll be using your furniture a lot, go for furniture pieces that are comfortable and bring you joy this year!

MOOD | Design + Build Tips for Cozy and Durable Furniture

You know that statement vintage sofa you’ve been eyeing and wanting to make work for your home? Go for it! Breath new life into the piece by recovering it with a fun or colorful fabric! Some of my favorites fabrics are Schumacher, Kravet, Fabricut, and Osborne & Little.
If you’re a leather lover, you’re in luck! Leather furniture is also one of the most durable and comfortable fabrics out there, and it is another great option if you have kids and pets.

Colorful Interiors

Neutrals may still be popular in 2021, but we’re seeing color become more prevalent in home interiors. Neutral color palettes have left spaces looking a little cold. The inclusion of color can spark visual interest, add warmth, and even lighten your mood! This year, you’ll want to spice up your interiors with vibrant colors and patterns that will give you an extra boost of joy in your home. We know color can seem intimidating, but there are several ways to incorporate color in any space. Don’t second guess it – just do it. This is your time to play with bright colors and go for that more eccentric wallpaper you saved on Instagram!

MOOD | Design + Build Tips for Colorful Interiors

Not wanting to go all-in on bright walls or a patterned wallpaper? Go for bold colored decorative pieces for your home, like colorful ceramic vases or pillows instead.
Choose colorful artwork or prints that bring a sense of playfulness to your interiors. It’s time to go for that Andy Warhol print!
Find matching colorful or printed lamps to brighten up any room!
If you want to keep it neutral and ease into color, a colorful or patterned rug is a great way to go.

Eclectic Interiors

After 2021, you want your interiors to feel comfortable and 100% you! That means matching furniture sets are out and an eclectic mix of furniture pieces is in. Maybe you like a mix of modern and traditional furniture, so you decide to go for a more transitional look. Maybe you decide to go for a modern-inspired bedroom that features your family’s heirloom armoire. The key to this look is picking the parts you love most from different design styles. At the end of the day though, it’s all about self-expression and making your spaces feel more personalized.

An eclectic look can be a bit tricky to pull together, so you may want to employ the help of a professional. MOOD | Design + Build, interior design firm in Chicago, can learn about your personality and your design preferences and create a beautiful space that is completely custom to you!

MOOD | Design + Build Tips for Creating Eclectic Interiors

Tell a story through your interiors by choosing antique furniture pieces and vintage decorative items like posters, artwork or light fixtures.
Mix textures that create contrast, such as using a soft, shaggy rug with rough, wooden decor items or furniture pieces. Remember to choose one of your chosen textures and repeat it a few times in the space. This will give your eclectic look a more cohesive feel.
Create a main focal point in your eclectic room. Go for an accent wall, fireplace or bold decorative item in the space, and be sure to accentuate it!

Live Plants

If you’ve been waiting for biophilic design to have a big year – it’s finally here! Faux houseplants are on their way out in 2021. With so much time being spent inside lately, you’re longing to bring the outdoors in. Live plants provide your interiors with cheerful color and they even freshen the air.

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are several great houseplants to decorate your home with that require low maintenance. The focus on nature and natural products will extend to design fabrics and materials this year. According to Aurore Martial, “2021 will see less plastic and man-made materials, more natural and organic materials.”

MOOD | Design + Build Tips for Including Live Greenery in Your Home

Try out a Pothos plant, which is also known as Devil’s Ivy, since it can thrive in indirect sunlight. It features bright green vines that drape down as it grows. Place this plant on open shelving in your kitchen, built-ins or bookshelves.
Snake plants are another plant choice that requires low maintenance. We recommend placing two of them in decorative planters on either side of a doorway in your home.
If you’re looking to bring a sense of peace to your interiors, go for a Peace Lily! These are classic houseplants that prefer low humidity and low light, making them great for rooms that don’t have the best natural light.

Entertainment Spaces

Staying in is officially the new going out. You want living spaces that will accommodate your needs and desires for comfortability, but you also want them to be great for home entertainment. For living or media rooms, this means prioritizing large TVs, designing spaces with high-quality sound systems built into the walls and ceilings and acquiring comfortable seating options for the whole family to relax.

For dining spaces, this means having an appropriate island with plenty of room for food prep, excellent lighting for cooking and plenty of seating to accommodate the entire family comfortably. If you can’t go out to your favorite restaurants or the movie theater, you’re going to bring them to you in 2021.

MOOD | Design + Build Tips on Entertainment Spaces for Your Home

If you’re not interested in having a separate media room, consider installing built-ins in your living room.
Double your seating and prep space by going for two kitchen islands. Not only has this design element been trending in the last couple of years, but it checks boxes for functionality as well.
Add an outdoor table and ample seating to your backyard or porch for the ultimate outdoor dining experience. Why go to a restaurant when you can have a beautiful meal in the comfort of your backyard with loved ones?

In 2021, you’re going to need spaces that fit your lifestyle needs. It’s more than that – you deserve it. As an interior design firm in Chicago, MOOD | Design + Build is ready to hear your wants and desires and deliver spaces that will be functional and comforting for the years ahead. Assess your living spaces and give MOOD | Design + Build a call. We’d love to help you make your house feel like a home again.

6 Interior Design Trends in 2021 to Know About