On the heels of what was the largest pandemic in at least a century, many Americans are flush with cash. The combination of reduced spending, increased savings, stimulus payments, and massive growth in stocks and other investments has created pent-up economic energy throughout much of the middle and upper classes. And a lot of that money is being poured into home remodels.
As always, home remodeling trends are constantly evolving. This year is no different. We’re seeing a noticeable shift away from all-white kitchens, farmhouse-style decor, wide-open spaces, and industrial lighting. Instead, we’re noticing a shift toward trends like these:
Appliance Storage. Few home design trends evolve faster or more dramatically than kitchen design. It’s the heartbeat of the home, thus it tends to attract the most attention and energy from homeowners who choose to remodel. And one of 2021’s hottest trends is clever appliance storage.
For decades, appliances have been stored out in the open. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves have all been exposed for easy access. But today’s luxury kitchens are taking a new stance. In an effort to make kitchens look more beautiful (without compromising on function), designers are hiding appliances in cabinets and behind trim work. Even refrigerators are being designed in a way that allows them to blend in with cabinetry.
Dedicated Spaces. At the start of 2020, the most requested design concept for single-family homes was open space. But after a year of shutdowns that saw families all cooped up at home together, the appeal of open space concepts has declined.
Parents who are working from home don’t want to be in the same room as children who are playing. And children who are playing can’t be in the same room as older children who are doing homework. The noise and distractions that come with open concepts no longer work for today’s family.
We’re seeing fewer wall “tear-downs” and fewer open concept builds in 2021. And though we’re certainly not going back to the 1960s when every room had four walls and a door, there is an increased emphasis on dedicated spaces. This includes dedicated offices (rather than working at the kitchen table).
Functional Outdoor Living. When the pandemic forced shutdowns and closures in 2020, people became stir-crazy. “Cabin fever” was rampant and homeowners were desperately searching for any way to get outside of the house while still remaining safe. As a result, many retreated to their backyards.
The desire to have functional and beautiful outdoor living spaces is stronger than ever. Large expanses of grass are giving way to more practical features like decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, play areas for kids, gardens, and other features.
One of the more popular outdoor living trends of 2021 is the backyard fire pit. With dozens of styles, including gas fire pits, propane fire pits, fire pit inserts, and fire pit tables, there’s a lot of flexibility in both design and function. This has given way to some pretty impressive (and creative) outdoor living spaces. Look for this trend to become even more popular moving forward.
Rich, Bold Colors. White has been the color of choice for the past five or six years – particularly in the kitchen. But many designers are indicating a shift in their clients’ preferences. The all-white trend is slowing down, and they’re placing more of an emphasis on deep, dark pops of color.
White isn’t going away. It’ll always be a common choice. But the all-white trend is. White walls and backsplashes are still popular. But instead of matching with white cabinets, designers are going with dark pops – such as black, moss green, and navy. This contrast adds a little more visual interest and warmth to the home. And it’s not just an interior trend! This dark contrast is coming to life in exterior home design as well.
“We recently remodeled a home and elected to go with black gutters, black shutters, and black fixtures along the outside of the home,” one home remodeling professional explains. “Potential buyers raved about this combination. This would have been a hard sell just a few short months ago.”
Will this trend stick around? It’s hard to tell. However, it’s a clear shift in the preferences and attitudes of both homeowners and buyers. If you’re preparing to remodel the interior or exterior of your home, it’s something worth considering.
Adding it All Up
If you’re interested in remodeling your home, keep some of these new and emerging trends in mind. The great thing about most of these trends is that they’re inexpensive and easy to execute. Whether you want to hire a professional or do it yourself, there are plenty of options to choose from!
