Interior Designers Forecast New Design Trends

We polled some of the nation's top designers and have compiled the design trends they expect are on the horizon. Read more to see exactly what will be trending in the home design realm for the upcoming year.

"We are seeing the effects of our 'buy it and throw it away' consumerism on our planet and I think people will realize that developing a personal, lasting style, is not only beautiful and unique, but good for the environment, as well," says Kate Patterson of Perlmutter Freiwald.

Mimi Meacham of Marian Louise Designs is looking forward to seeing more color in the coming year. "After more of a subdued few years, in terms of fabrics, I see people embracing fun colors and unique prints in their everyday furniture. Utilizing colorful printed fabrics, custom upholstered sofas, chairs and window treatments will be fun, fierce and another way to bring personality into the space. Walls, doors and millwork will get a colorful facelift with greens, blues, mauves and yellows to uplift and frame the prints."

"With the busy lives that we all live, paring down the amount of stuff to deal with in the home will feel enticing. We probably only need less than half of what we have, and prioritizing the important, functional and high-designed pieces is the best way to feel more free and in control at the same time," says Meacham.

"More people are enhancing their outdoor living spaces, which means more stylish outdoor-rated furniture! I see more intentionally designed outdoor living spaces that don't sacrifice on style and expand the families living and entertaining space in the home," explains Meacham.

"Children continue to drive design spaces and homework is not going away. As the world turns, people may continue to opt-out of full classroom settings and opt-in for more private spaces and creating 'mini corporate offices' for their smallest bosses. These rooms are equipped with interactive smart boards, prerequisite hi-speed wifi and plenty of plug-in outlets. Homework rooms can also be repurposed later for college student startup headquarters or an adult home office," says Georgia Zikas from Georgia Zikas Design.

Zikas says she is expecting high-end, lower-level design. "Not to be confused with what is formerly known as a 'basement' — these [spaces] are not your parents' basements. These are now multi-purpose, lower-level living spaces equipped with full kitchens, home theater tiered seating, games (one we did had a skee ball machine!), a home gym and a Golf Simulator. These spaces allow for more family fun and safer entertaining with small groups."

"I believe that people will continue to seek out quiet, thoughtful spaces within their homes and when space allows for it, they will dedicate the purpose. Add in a massage table or a yoga mat too," explains Zikas.

Amy Leferink from Interior Impressions expects to see more multifunctional spaces. "People are starting to understand that they can live with less, especially after the past year. We believe people will start to downsize, or stay in their current homes and become creative with how their spaces can be multifunctional. For example: having your living room be part office. Or office/workout rooms."

Millennials and Gen Z are heavily focused on sustainability, says Leferink. "As a key part of the buyer's market, Millennials and Gen Z will value homes that make sustainable sense. From their furniture, to the decor, to the home themselves. They will buy smaller — based on not only their values, but the reality of the sellers market — and keep minimalism at a core of their style. Think container homes, or tiny homes, or living on the road in a van. Home may not be a place with four walls," says Leferink.

Leferink explains that she believes there will be an increase in desire for vintage furniture. "With the current supply chain issues, we believe people will be more apt to repurpose older furniture and/or decor pieces to not only be more focused on sustainability, but also be more friendly to their budgets."

Malka Helft from Think Chic Interiors expects a move away from bright white and light color palettes. "Dark, moody walls using paint and wallpaper: while these dark walls bring back some lost drama, they still have powder gray undertones that mesh well with this past years cane and natural wood trend."

"We will be seeing more of the terra cotta, sage and mustard as well as midcentury furniture trademarks: peg legs on cabinets and tables, teak wood tones and highly textured fabrics," explains Helft.

"If we learned anything from being stuck in our homes for over a year, it is that plants make us happy. This year, we will be seeing large trees in living rooms and kitchens; another strong trend that goes right alongside this is oversized planters in natural colors made out of natural materials such as jute, ceramic and even concrete," says Helft.

Helft expects more homeowners to select marble over other stones. "We will be seeing more and more of this beautiful stone and its lookalike around homes, from thicker counter tops, wall mounted vanities, to accent walls around the home, as well as outdoors."

Amanda Thompson with Aline Studio says that a need for eco-conscious designs will "free up our minds and surroundings by reducing the clutter in our lives. Streamlining our existence and moving through the world with smaller carbon footprints. Taking charge and doing our part to mitigate climate change."

Thompson expects "a focus on the health and well-being of the inhabitants of a space. We now realize and understand how our built environments influence our health, productivity, and overall mental state."

"After over a year of being shut inside, I think there has been and will continue to be a focus on regaining our connection to the natural world through the use of biophilic design principles. An emphasis on creating calming environments with natural lighting and ventilation, incorporating plants and creating a visual connection with nature," explains Thompson.