Design trends for fall 2021

At the start of 2020, many of us were forced to entirely reconfigure our homes into multi-functional spaces to accommodate the fact we were working from home and children were also being homeschooled. We were less concerned about interior design trends as much as we were focused on creating purposeful spaces for this new normal we found ourselves in.

While we’re still trying to figure out what our new way of living will be moving forward, there has been a return of certain design trends that feel relevant to today. Themes of comfort and colour are big this fall season, as are warm neutrals and calm spaces. Here are some of my favourite interior design trends for fall.

Warm neutrals

You know I love a good neutral, and it feels like the perfect tenor for the fall season ahead. Terracotta is a big colour favourite this year, and it informs an entire fall spectrum of warm, earthy tones that really bring home the concept of staying in and staying cosy. Consider adding orange, grey, and sand tones in fabrics, soft furnishings and accessories, along with ultra-soft fabrics and natural textures. It’s a more relaxed feel to the home, yet can still be chic. Look out for Sherpa wool, boucle, or flannel in a throw, on pillows, or blankets.

Bring the outside in

This isn’t the first time I’ve suggested this, but it’s a trend that is truly timeless. COVID taught us a lot about how restorative nature is for us, and even though the fall/winter months keep us inside for longer, we can still create a beautiful indoor-outdoor connection in our homes, oftentimes with very little effort. Whether you opt to fill your rooms with more indoor-friendly plants (you can even go faux with dried flowers, which are very popular right now) or switching to natural fibres in your furnishings (wicker, wood, or rattan), what’s important to remember is that it’s more about bringing some of your favourite outdoor elements inside through whichever way you choose with textures, wallpapers, patterns, or furnishings that are inspired by Mother Earth.

Create a cosy reading corner

We spent an inordinate amount of time at home these past 18 months, and the silver lining is that we accepted we weren’t going anywhere so found moments of joy doing simple things in our own environments – such as reading a book. Find a quiet spot in your home and place a comfortable armchair, soft-light lamp and a side table to create your reading nook. I promise you, it will become your new favourite hideaway in your home. Curl up with a great novel, a cup of tea and spend an hour or two reading. That’s what makes this season wonderful – the opportunity to shut-down and take a moment for ourselves.

Add vintage decor

Vintage, bespoke homewares is big for fall 2021, likely inspired by the pandemic and our desire to make our spaces more personal and a sense of comfort. Antique furniture, special housewares we have that were handed down to us from family members, or old picture frames we have in storage; all of these items have a story behind them, and a memory. To me, that’s very comforting, and I gravitate towards filling my space with such mementos because the connection feels real. In times of uncertainty, we want to find comfort in the things we know.

Your home should be a sanctuary

This message was vocalized loud and clear during the pandemic: The idea that our homes should be our sanctuary away from the madness of the world. This will be a big focus for fall design this year. Whether you transform your bathroom into a spa, outfit a window seat with cosy pillows and a warm throw, or simply fill your home with candles, home fragrances and fall foliage, there are many ways you can make your home your own oasis.