Interior Design Trends 2021

Think curves, textures, wall and ceiling detail, metals and neutrals with a pop of colour.  Interior design trends in 2021 will focus on the elements that can make a dramatic difference to a home as well as offering a more comfortable space to enjoy.

Interior Design Trends 2021

One of Australia’s leading interior designers, Greg Natale from Greg Natale Designs, and design expert, Kate Walker from Kate Walker Design (KWD), share their top design elements and their interior design trends for 2021 to consider when building or renovating your home.

Ceiling Style

In 2021, the ceiling will perform as an essential element in interior design. “When I’m designing a space, the walls and ceilings are among my first considerations,” says Greg Natale. “They’re an essential layer of the architecture, and a wonderful way of introducing pattern into the framework of a room, helping to define its look and add interest and drama. Panelling, coffers and cornices are beautiful design tools that showcase how moulding can transform a space.”

“An example of this, is a project of mine in Western Sydney with strikingly large proportions that could handle grand gestures. I introduced Gyprock panelling to the white ceilings in the large living areas to add geometric lines but also to help tame the vast expanse of ceiling. The lines break up the space and visually bring the ceilings closer for a more welcoming feel.”

In the house’s impressive monochromatic entrance, which also features a double curved staircase, round ceiling coffers were introduced, echoing the shapes in the chandeliers that hang from them and the circular rug and table that sit beneath. “It’s about treating your ceilings as part of the design to create a cohesive look,” says Greg.

Related: What colour do I paint my ceiling?

Dress Up Your Walls

Walls present the perfect blank canvas to express your unique personality.  In 2021 we will see walls providing the foundation for adding detail – curves, cornicing, shiplap, strapping, panelling, tiles or wallpaper – allowing you to turn simple into stunning and personalise your space. Kate Walker explains, “We are seeing beautiful new trends emerging for wall detailing with different finishes working beside a plain Gyprock wall to give the surface area some texture.”

“We love turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones and giving homes a whole new identity. On one of our projects, by adding wainscoting to a plain Gyprock hallway we created character that reflected the period detailing of a home.”

Curves Continue as an interior design trend in 2021

Archways are having a revival thanks to architects and designers adding curved doorways, rounded windows and arched mirrors to their projects. Arches offer a new way to add more organic shapes inside our homes, not only through archways but also through decorative patterns, furnishings and accessories with rounded edges and tubular forms.

“Angles all add interest to the structure of a room, and a stunning curved staircase can add a new dimension to a simple space. It just takes clever design and master craftsman to bring a vision to life,” says Kate.

Greg agrees, “During work on an Art Deco-inspired residence, I embraced the lines of the era in the interior architecture, taking the curved rectangular shape of the entrance and recreating it in the ceiling coffers, adding moulding for definition. The result is a restrained and elegant layer of detail that suits the house’s soft palette of blush pink, grey and white. Again, ensuring that the ceilings were part of the overall design, I echoed that shape throughout the house in cabinetry and mirrors, adding warmth via brass trims. It was also emulated through the custom staircase that continued the house’s story of curves.”

Cornice Detail

“Cornices can play a key part in a design – and they don’t always need to be white,” says Greg. “In one of my projects, I painted the cornices black, which not only works to curb the large proportions but also to dramatically define and outline the space. I know people are hesitant to outline rooms, but this can work just as effectively in smaller spaces, such as the bedrooms and bathrooms of this house, where painting the cornices black added beautiful definition.”

Related: How to use black accents in interiors

Cornices can also play an important role through their subtlety and can be set with ceilings for a smooth, seamless look. Simple cornicing can also act as a foundation to highlight the interior features like bespoke joinery, textures, paint colours, timber flooring, beautiful lighting and furnishings.

From contemporary with clean lines, timeless classic or smooth curves, Gyprock offers a range of cornice profiles to complement interior design elements while defining the room and suiting a home’s style.

Related: How to manipulate a space with colour

The 2021 Colour Palette

The most important aspect of choosing colours is to introduce various subtle details that will give a bit more character to a space.  In 2021 we’ll see colours continue to be inspired by nature and natural materials such as wood, glass, stone and metal, as well as plant life. Neutral colours will never go out of style. Blushing peaches and soft pistachios will complement our love for natural, organic materials and are ideal for creating more intimate and welcoming environments.

Navy prevails as the interior trend colour for 2021 and brings a sophisticated masculinity to a room.  Whether it’s a feature wall, furnishings or accessories, this colour says luxury.    

Open plan for living and working

The future of the home is open-plan living with the possibility to have multi-functional rooms. With more and more people working from home, the need to adapt accordingly has never been more important, so in 2021, expect to see designers find new ways to integrate clever working areas into designs.

Adding definition and a unique architectural dimension to delineate space, with differing ceiling heights, a raked ceiling or bulkheads helps create visual interest and are practical ways to give direction to the free flow of an open plan space or create a new look for an existing home. With clever design and detailing you can easily add a WOW factor to a simple space.

Related: Open Plan vs Individual Rooms

Gyprock has just launched the new Gyprock Living Simple to Stunning magazine with design tips to show how elevated design thinking coupled with great craftsmanship can take a basic building material like Gyprock and shape them into timeless, sophisticated architecture. To download visit Gyprock Living.

Gyprock is made in Australia and available at Gyprock Trade stores, Gyprock resellers and Bunnings nationwide.

What do you think of these interior design trends for 2021?  Are there elements here that you would embrace?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  In the meantime, if you are building a home, renovating or even undertaking a weekend decorating project, I have lots of free e-books and comprehensive checklists to help you.  You can download them from my Free Resource Library.