10 Global Interiors Trends That Reflect Our New Way of Living
From soundproof desks to privacy screens, European brands are designing products that reflect a major lifestyle shift
Leonora Sartori
23 July 2021
Houzz Italy Editor.
Journalist, in love with brave projects, talented young designers, and landscape artists designing the world with flowers and leaves. Do you want to share great indoor or outdoor projects or your own house? Write to redazione@houzz.com
Editor di Houzz Italia. Giornalista, amante dei progetti coraggiosi, dei giovani designer che escono dalla mischia, dei paesaggisti che disegnano coi fiori. Hai case o progetti meravigliosi da condividere? Scrivi a redazione@houzz.com
Houzz Italy Editor.
Journalist, in love with brave projects, talented young designers,... More
In a year with fewer fairs, including Salone del Mobile in Milan, Houzz went directly to the major brands who usually showcase their product releases to get an idea of this year’s trends. So what have we learned? First, that a home office is not an extra any more. And that a new modern style is being born – and it comes with a lot of references to colours and forms from the past. A new range of pastel colours – from greens to rose – is also trending. Finally, the forest effect might just transform your house into a clearing in the woods.
Lan office chair, designed by Iratzoki Lizaso Design for Alki.
1. A home office revolution
This year as never before, a variety of companies presented iconic pieces of home office furniture. The style and flair might vary from company to company, ranging from classic to colourful contemporary, but there’s a clear effort to present homeowners with tables and chairs that fit the home environment and match their style.
The home office is no longer an extra, but rather one of the many needs our homes have to address. It also means searching for dedicated space, as not all homes have an extra room for this purpose. This is where the right chair or the perfect table come in.
1. A home office revolution
This year as never before, a variety of companies presented iconic pieces of home office furniture. The style and flair might vary from company to company, ranging from classic to colourful contemporary, but there’s a clear effort to present homeowners with tables and chairs that fit the home environment and match their style.
The home office is no longer an extra, but rather one of the many needs our homes have to address. It also means searching for dedicated space, as not all homes have an extra room for this purpose. This is where the right chair or the perfect table come in.
Toa table and folding screen designed by Robin Rizzini, art direction Studio FM, for Pedrali. Photo by Andrea Garuti.
Sound panels to create privacy at your table or desk and secret drawers to keep your work surface tidy are some examples of how companies are offering a new way to bring the professional office and home furniture together.
Sound panels to create privacy at your table or desk and secret drawers to keep your work surface tidy are some examples of how companies are offering a new way to bring the professional office and home furniture together.
Alcove folding dividing panels for sofas and tables, by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra.
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Kaari Shelf, part of the collection designed by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Artek. This is the setup for The Club Office project by Vitra at its head office in Birsfelden, Switzerland, where the company offers employees a variety of flexible work spaces. The bookshelves are not a new product but have been updated to suit the new office – and home-office – culture.
Give me an office, quick… Workstations that are easy to fit into any room and hide inside a bookshelf are a way to add an extra spot to work on a laptop when needed.
Give me an office, quick… Workstations that are easy to fit into any room and hide inside a bookshelf are a way to add an extra spot to work on a laptop when needed.
Atal chair collection in oak and metal tubing designed by Form Us With Love for Alki. This range includes a lounge chair, stools and various models of stackable chairs.
2. Subtly different sets of chairs
Many companies are producing series of chairs that are similar in form and shape, but not exactly the same. The idea of matching but not identical chairs is something we’re seeing over and over again this year, as manufacturers seek a style that, though not unique, can be tailored to the user and can reappear throughout the house.
Instead of focusing on a single iconic piece, companies are designing collections that fit together and add special flair without leaning too much on a single shape or colour.
2. Subtly different sets of chairs
Many companies are producing series of chairs that are similar in form and shape, but not exactly the same. The idea of matching but not identical chairs is something we’re seeing over and over again this year, as manufacturers seek a style that, though not unique, can be tailored to the user and can reappear throughout the house.
Instead of focusing on a single iconic piece, companies are designing collections that fit together and add special flair without leaning too much on a single shape or colour.
Mixu chair collection by Arper in collaboration with Gensler. The seat, backrest, and base are separate, so the chair can easily be customised and disassembled. It can be personalised in a variety of colour and texture combinations.
Burraco games table in natural copper and DeErosion finish designed by Zanellato/Bortotto for De Castelli. The table’s design is inspired by card games. Four small trays can be extended from the table top.
3. Little living rooms here and there
A living room that’s easy to set up anywhere or a corner for chatting and relaxing is in demand. Homeowners are not only looking for a classic, styled living room, but also a series of potential living corners spread throughout the home – maybe one in the hall, another in the bedroom – which can serve as places to catch a quick break or have an informal chat.
What furniture do you need for such a corner? A small sofa or a lounge chair, a little table with small chairs, or a big sofa that can double as an informal spot for some quick work. Nothing is fixed in a single role anymore, neither people nor furniture.
3. Little living rooms here and there
A living room that’s easy to set up anywhere or a corner for chatting and relaxing is in demand. Homeowners are not only looking for a classic, styled living room, but also a series of potential living corners spread throughout the home – maybe one in the hall, another in the bedroom – which can serve as places to catch a quick break or have an informal chat.
What furniture do you need for such a corner? A small sofa or a lounge chair, a little table with small chairs, or a big sofa that can double as an informal spot for some quick work. Nothing is fixed in a single role anymore, neither people nor furniture.
Egon sofa designed by Iratzoki Lizaso for Alki.
Soft Work sofa by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby. Designed in 2018, this sofa is part of Vitra’s lifestyle-driven approach to work from home. It offers a relaxed and flexible space for leisure or work on a laptop.
Alpha table, designed by Martinelli Venezia for De Castelli. Its copper surface is left untreated, to preserve its antimicrobial properties. This hexagonal table with built-in storage space can be used as a single piece or its modules can be rearranged.
4. Creative storage
There is never enough storage, and brands are offering new solutions for adding storage or decluttering opportunities into spaces such as living rooms and bedrooms. Secret drawers are more than welcome.
4. Creative storage
There is never enough storage, and brands are offering new solutions for adding storage or decluttering opportunities into spaces such as living rooms and bedrooms. Secret drawers are more than welcome.
Kata solid wood armchair by Altherr Désile Park for Arper. The frame is in FSC-certified oak. The 3D-knit cover is created from recycled polyester. The knit is tailored to the frame to avoid producing material offcuts.
5. Vintage colours in new combinations
5. Vintage colours in new combinations
- Green and wood or metal
Intellimix touchless tap by Ideal Standard.
Many brands are turning to a palette of warm and delicate colours ranging from pale orange to soft pink, passing through salmon, copper and powder pink. This photo shows an all-orange bathroom with a 1970s vibe, which was used to introduce a new smart, touch-less tap to the market.
- From orange to pink
Many brands are turning to a palette of warm and delicate colours ranging from pale orange to soft pink, passing through salmon, copper and powder pink. This photo shows an all-orange bathroom with a 1970s vibe, which was used to introduce a new smart, touch-less tap to the market.
Barista copper mobile bar, designed by Adriano Design for De Castelli. The ribbed effect creates an irregular texture. The interior is stainless steel with a mirrored finish.
Atrium Outdoor textile palette by Patricia Urquiola for Kvadrat. The palette includes rose and terracotta as well as a spectrum of green shades.
Sama and Matrix carpets, by Golran for Moroso. Photo by Alessandro Paderni.
Sesi table and Tracce tiles, part of the Pantelleria project by Martinelli Venezia Studio for the Sicilian brand Lithea. Both are made of Nero Maquina marble.
- Back to black
Kata armchair designed by Altherr Désile Park for Arper. The frame is made of certified FSC oak. The cover is knitted recycled polyester made from post-consumer (reused) plastic.
Amira chest of drawers in walnut from Heals, made of solid walnut with round grips in a retro design
6. Modern midcentury modern
A new style is being born. It might echo vintage midcentury modern, but if you look closer, these beds and cupboards mix a minimalist shape with an elegant flair. Look for classic and sober furniture pieces that nonetheless create a relaxed atmosphere.
6. Modern midcentury modern
A new style is being born. It might echo vintage midcentury modern, but if you look closer, these beds and cupboards mix a minimalist shape with an elegant flair. Look for classic and sober furniture pieces that nonetheless create a relaxed atmosphere.
Lola Darling bed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau. This bed is inspired by Poltrona Frau’s classic capitonné.
Emilie sideboard from Heal’s.
Paravent by Marie Christine Dorner for Ligne Roset.
7. Folding screens
Many homeowners have been looking for light dividing features. The age-old folding screen makes its comeback as a charming way to create more privacy inside the home.
7. Folding screens
Many homeowners have been looking for light dividing features. The age-old folding screen makes its comeback as a charming way to create more privacy inside the home.
Plot folding screen designed by GamFratesi for Poltrona Frau.
Taru sofa by Sebastian Herkner for Ligne Roset.
8. Cosy rounded sofas
Egg shapes and rounded angles are the new experimental forms for sofas. These cocooning new seats take on the less structured and more comfortable role of a daybed.
8. Cosy rounded sofas
Egg shapes and rounded angles are the new experimental forms for sofas. These cocooning new seats take on the less structured and more comfortable role of a daybed.
Gogan sofa and armchair by Patricia Urquiola; Cloud small tables by Nendo; Matrix and Himalayan rugs; Frame-Shift bookshelf by Oscar and Gabriele Buratti; all for Moroso. Photo by Alessandro Paderni.
Re-release of the Archibald armchair, designed by Jean-Marie Massaud in 2009 for Poltrona Frau.
Sam Son low armchair by
Konstantin Grcic for Magis.
… and curvy chairs
Taking rounded shapes to the extreme, these fun chairs expand the paradigm of furniture you can sit on.
Konstantin Grcic for Magis.
… and curvy chairs
Taking rounded shapes to the extreme, these fun chairs expand the paradigm of furniture you can sit on.
Voido rocking by Ron Arad for Magis.
Ambrosia ceiling lamp by Ciszak Dalmas for Marset. The LED light tube is dimmable and available in three warm colour temperatures
9. Minimalist lighting
Lighting has gone minimalist, from an almost invisible wand of light suspended from the ceiling to a very simple, deconstructed form recalling a massive, traditional chandelier. The lines of structural supports and cords almost disappear, leaving nothing but seemingly pure light in the room.
9. Minimalist lighting
Lighting has gone minimalist, from an almost invisible wand of light suspended from the ceiling to a very simple, deconstructed form recalling a massive, traditional chandelier. The lines of structural supports and cords almost disappear, leaving nothing but seemingly pure light in the room.
Soffi chandelier by GamFratesi for Poltrona Frau.
Papiro LED light designed by Sergio Calatroni for Pallucco in 1989 and updated with LEDs.
Design by Nature by Front for Moroso. Swedish studio Front used 3D-scanning of actual forests to create these furniture items. Photo by Andy Liffner
10. The forest effect
One might say this is a nice side effect of the pandemic. The need for nature and the role of green and plants in our homes is a trend that started even before this difficult year, but which has been drastically accelerated over the past few months.
New innovations in patterns and fabric by Italian brand Moroso shows how the ‘forest effect’ can shape our homes with a series of trompe l’oeil fabrics that make the sofa part of the forest environment.
Other companies are also picking up on this trend. For example, Italian brand Poltrona Frau has introduced an elegant modern vintage table with a shape that’s more organic than geometric and with branch-inspired table legs.
10. The forest effect
One might say this is a nice side effect of the pandemic. The need for nature and the role of green and plants in our homes is a trend that started even before this difficult year, but which has been drastically accelerated over the past few months.
New innovations in patterns and fabric by Italian brand Moroso shows how the ‘forest effect’ can shape our homes with a series of trompe l’oeil fabrics that make the sofa part of the forest environment.
Other companies are also picking up on this trend. For example, Italian brand Poltrona Frau has introduced an elegant modern vintage table with a shape that’s more organic than geometric and with branch-inspired table legs.
Infinito table by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau. It is made from a single piece of marble, and only available as a limited series.
Your turn
Which of these trends appeals to you and which will you avoid? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images.
Your turn
Which of these trends appeals to you and which will you avoid? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images.
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Great article, lots to covet, even if these versions would all be to $$$ for most people, good design usually filters down in to more affordable pieces. I think that pieces from different eras can play well together and just like antique or mid centuary pieces bring personality to a contempory home, contempory pieces can do much to lift older style homes. We do not live in museums. Why not pick the best each age has to offer?
Beautiful furniture that looks very uncomfortable.
Fantastic article and innovative furniture design.