The furniture industry is always changing, with many exciting developments occurring at the intersection of creativity and technology. Looking to incorporate these trends into your home decor?

Here’s a closer look at some of our favorite furniture and design trends for 2021.

Customization

The movement toward customization and personalization is becoming popular amongst many major businesses (and the furniture industry is far from immune to this trend). Once considered as the exclusive domain of the wealthy, the ability to customize products is now transcending socioeconomic status. Personalizing accessories – from shoes to cars to furniture – has become a popular and attainable trend. For the furnishing industry, customization means consumers have the unique ability to express individuality and personality into their home decor. 

IMM Cologne’s article on custom furniture explains that “For young people in particular, the home is playing an increasingly important role—as a focal point for our lives, a place of refuge, a means of expressing one’s own personality and a place of work. Custom-made furniture mirrors this trend perfectly.”

Customizing furniture is a great way to create a unique and personalized space, and companies like oomph are executing this trend especially well.

Sustainability

Like customization, the push for more sustainable alternatives is taking the furniture industry by storm. Today’s consumers are eschewing the waste associated with the manufacturing and shipping of “fast furniture and opting for environmentally-conscious alternatives and techniques, such as sustainable sourcing and more efficient production methods.

The shift toward natural materials and finishes – such as wood, stone, glass, metal, and ceramics – is a reflection of this trend. Outdoor living is another expression of this trend. In addition to creating additional square footage for relaxing, recreating, and entertaining, outdoor spaces embrace the natural world.

Color

While naturals and neutrals are indeed having a major moment right now, there’s always room for more dynamic colors. The Pantone Color Institute named two colors of the year for 2021: “Ultimate Gray” (a cool neutral) and “Illuminating” (a bright yellow).

Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, remarked, “The union of enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock-solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”

But these aren’t the only trending shades you should expect to see this year. Pantone also selected Ultra Violet as one of the year’s top colors — just another example of the bold, rich tones on-trend this year.

As with most things in design, a little color goes a long way. Even if you’re more comfortable with neutrals, even a single statement piece of colorful furniture has the potential to make an unforgettable impression.

Shape and Texture

The use of textures and patterns is another way homeowners express their personality and unique taste through furniture and home decor. Geometric textures and patterns were a popular trend last year, as well, and will continue to be a prominent furniture fad in 2021.

Asymmetrical shapes are especially having their moment, from furniture and textiles to artwork and accessories. 

Luxury

As a result of the pandemic, more people were spending excessive time at home than ever before. This underscored the importance of creating comfortable, inviting, and functional home environments. For some, this means making (or investing in) furniture that embodies not only functionality and comfort, but also an aspirational quality of life.

Though luxury furniture seems unattainable, more and more furniture businesses are coupling sustainable and obtainable products with high-end designs. For individuals who are especially committed to adopting more sustainable practices, investing in luxurious yet ethically-produced furniture seems worthwhile. 

Though in the world of design trends will come and go, unique taste never goes out of style. The key to creating joyful and expressive space when choosing furniture for your home is to lead with what you love.