2021 does not look very different from 2020 — we’re still in the pandemic. Apart from obvious well-being and personal care implications, it means we are, as yet, not spending a lot of time outside.
Staying at home a lot means looking towards what can improve our immediate environment. This article will discuss seven trends in design and architecture you can take inspiration from when planning on improving the interior design of your house or apartment.
Development of Design and Environmentally Friendly Technologies
So, recently Pentone chose a color of the year. It’s an ultimate grey, with bright, vibrant yellow on the background. The company says it’s a symbol of endurance and perseverance in difficult times — it’s kind of a cliche, but it’s very appropriate, considering the situation the world is in right now: with the pandemic, economic crisis, and climate change. The reaction to the latter is thoroughly reflected in interior design trends as well.
Next year, more people will embrace using recyclable materials for both decorating and household activities like cleaning. There will be more plants in the interiors, greener spaces with less paper and plastic.
They’ll strive towards cleaner water via installing faucets with reverse osmosis systems, trying to cut down on electricity costs by turning off devices when they’re not used, and even installing alternative sources of energy like solar batteries. Also, there’s a tendency towards constructing living spaces in apartments around windows as sources of natural light, getting more air in rooms via using light, pastel colors for walls and textile.
Smart Houses
The demand for IoT-based smart home infrastructure is constantly growing. Smart home sensors can tell you if the food in your fridge has expired, if something’s off about humidity in your rooms, etc. Apart from that, they’re claimed to help people to consume electricity in a more sustainable way.
Plus, smart homes are just simply cool. It’s nice to be able to clap your hands and change the lighting in the room or set a coffeemaker to start prepping your morning doppio at seven o’clock. The Internet of things, of course, is a subject of many conversations about data safety and privacy — but if you don’t make security an afterthought, you’ll more than likely be fine.
Development of Industrial Style
Industrial style is characterized by the combination of symmetrical and asymmetrical formations in composition, and it is utilized in residential properties, commercial spaces, etc. Think reworking old lofts for cozy apartments without changing much — or repurposing of buildings that have been used for fabrics or manufacturing facilities.
Wood, different sorts of metal, and recycled plastic are typical materials for it.
New Minimalism
Minimalism has been there for quite some time. In architecture, minimalism is simple forms with high-quality new materials. This kind of design is popular for all sorts of buildings, including homes and shopping centers. Modern minimalism means the presence of materials to provide acoustic and thermal insulation.
Minimalism was kind of poisoned by quite a common opinion that minimalistic spaces must be devoid of any personality whatsoever. The minimalism of the past was quite elitist — there has been a lot of thinking on how many things in one place signal “unkempt” and “messy” — as opposed to “clean” minimalistic spaces, which, as you’ve probably guessed, is quite problematic. New minimalism embraces things that connect to those who live in space and isn’t trying to prove its superiority to other styles.
Reformation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Industrial Premises
Along with the rise of the industrial style, it has become even more trendy in 2021 to restore old buildings instead of constructing new ones.
After restoration, old buildings look fresh, modern, and can be used further. People make these buildings more comfortable and adjust them to modern social requirements. That decreases costs of construction — no need to start the process from scratch — and has a positive impact on the environment, cutting down the potential energy consumption of the whole construction site.
Less Noise, More Light
Noise happens to be a pollutant — it affects people both outside and inside their homes.
The increasing number of architectural works start to take this factor into account — designers and architects utilize materials that decrease noise inside houses.
They also create architectural designs so that these buildings require only natural sunlight for illumination.
Maximum Attention to the Arrangement of Outdoor Spaces
People usually want to spend time on verandas and terraces all year long, which is possible if they are arranged smartly.
Interior designers organize glass constructions with no profiles — so it’s possible to open up the space when the weather is good.
Fluid functionality is another thing people seek when it comes to outdoor spaces. They want them to function as an ordinary room and be a center point for relaxation and family gatherings if the occasion calls for it.