2021'S DESIGN AND DECOR TRENDS - CONTRASTING COLORS AND NEUTRAL ELEMENTS

With an unpredictable year so far, now would be the perfect time to get a head start on redecorating and updating your home while you have the time.

Chris Cilliers, CEO and Co-Principal for Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty in the Winelands believes that our homes are our sanctuaries: "It is where we relax, spend time with loved ones, create our fondest memories and raise our children."

Our homes also represent an extension of our personal identities and when we first move into a new home, we usually decorate accordingly but, often at times, we are so busy with our daily lives that we do not notice when our homes become increasingly dated and worn over the years.

"In order to see our homes more objectively, it is always a good idea to imagine that our home is going on show. You will quickly become aware of what needs to be updated or replaced."

When decorating and rearranging your space, you should be guided by your own tastes and preferences however, it makes sense to update it at the same time.

"Next year's top décor trends are very versatile and can easily be adapted to suit most people's styles and homes and one does not need to do a complete revamp; a few strategic changes can make any room feel brand new" says Cilliers.

Sometimes, just decluttering, a fresh coat of paint and steam cleaning the carpets or flooring can make your house feel new.

The key style trends for next year include:

Grey and natural palettes - neutral colours such as grey, beige and cream are one of the main trends as these colour schemes work well to create more intimate environments and they can be livened with just about any bright colour. Light grey tones help to increase the sense of space, making it the perfect shade for smaller, square rooms and darker hues add complementary depth and contrast. For a softer backdrop, use creams, beiges and variations like sand and stone colours.

Splashes of colour - use colours inspired by nature but be cautious and choose pure tones that will blend well with neutrals such as earthy browns, blues, and greens or, richer gemstone hues for a luxurious touch.

Natural materials and elements - wood will be the material of choice for 2021, especially those from Scandinavian inspirations and we will see light woods used for flooring and covering walls and ceilings. People are increasingly looking to bring nature back into their lives and the best way to do so is to incorporate this into our homes. In addition to house plants, many use natural elements as décor including stone, seashells, seagrass, and bamboo.

Garden room and indoor microgreens - biophilic design is a growing trend. Create your own secret garden or a private garden room and install a vertical wall garden to grow your own herbs year-round.

Industrial interior style - this is especially effective for multi-purpose environments such as large open-plan living spaces. Distinctive design features include exposed brick walls, metal shelves, wood, and exposed industrial materials such as plumbing pipes. Furniture is generally simple and understated with minimalist decoration to highlight the architectural features.

Glass - with industrial interior design among the most popular trends, glass will be a widely used material, both to merge the indoors and outdoors through the usage of large windows and to brighten smaller spaces. Glass is also hot in kitchens right now - from transparent glass to structured and frosted, it can also be used for upper kitchen cabinet doors.

Natural lighting - it is essential that natural light floods all environments so replace heavy drapes with filmier curtains or blinds and keep these and the windows open to allow for the fresh breeze to circulate.

Statement pieces - these work well if you have used neutral tones for your main palette. A striking colourful lamp or bright unique print filling a wall will make a bold statement and liven a room.

Unisex playrooms and nurseries - Millennial and Gen Z parents look for more gender-neutral options for their children's rooms and play areas by using neutral tones and non-gender specific décor.

Luxe Revival - people simply cannot get enough of this trend; luxe has become a buzz word that continues to gain traction.

In the décor context, it can be best described as fabrics and furniture pieces that ooze a touch of decadence i.e. minimalist lighting and furniture with decorative Art Deco rounded shapes and rich fabrics and materials like velvet, brass, and smoky glass. The key colours include dusty rose, burnished gold, and ochre.

"Redecoration not only makes our homes look better, it also gives us a rare opportunity to eliminate clutter and get rid of unnecessary junk collected over the years," concludes Cilliers.

"And what better way to start an unpredictable new year than in an orderly, uncluttered home that inspires us to take tackle it head-on."