13 Jan Home Improvement Trends for 2021

We finally closed the book on 2020 (sigh), and never before have we been so desperate for a fresh start and a new beginning. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t look like we’re leaving the house anytime in the near future, so it makes perfect sense that the way to get that new start would be improving our homes. Home improvement trends are also a great distraction while we’re waiting for life to return to normal—whatever that is!

Viewed through the lens of the pandemic—from yearning for cozy and comfort, to spending a lot more time cooking, to conducting almost all our business, schooling, and socializing from home—we see and use our homes differently.

If you’re contemplating making some improvements to your home in 2021, check out these trends expert’s report. Whether you’re looking to do a complete renovation, decorate with paint, or simply change up some fixtures, there are plenty of options worth considering.

The Home Office or Workspace

Many offices and workplaces’ abrupt closures ushered in a new era of remote work for millions (nearly half) of employed Americans. A recent study suggests that 36.2 million Americans (22 percent of the workforce) will be working remotely by 2025, an 87 percent increase from the number of remote workers before the pandemic. And having office space is a big bonus for people looking to purchase a home.

So it’s no surprise that the home office tops the list of home improvement trends. If you have one, it’s probably seen more action than ever before and could benefit from a few efficiency tweaks. If you don’t have one and are at your wit’s end with conducting business from the couch, your kitchen table, or bedroom, you’re probably hoping there’s a way to create one (without adding an entirely new room).

If you don’t have a spare room to dedicate as an office, tap into your imagination to create a space with some personality. One of the biggest trends on Pinterest this year was the rise of the “cloffice.” Yup, you guessed it—a hybrid of “closet” and “office.” A bit of high-gloss paint or wallpaper, a few shelves, and a comfy chair, and you’re in business.

A more costly option is installing a Murphy Bed (Or Wall Bed as some now call it) to set up the guest room for double-duty. Seasoned home improvement warriors (or those who have mastered creating things using a YouTube tutorial) can construct one with wood and re-purposed shelving.

If your kids typically did their homework at the kitchen table pre-pandemic but are now learning remotely, it’s a good time to invest in a bedroom desk (we can’t all work from the home office at once and keep our sanity)! A bit of elbow grease and a fresh coat of paint can turn that desk into a place of inspiration!

The Kitchen

It’s long been considered the heart of the home. It’s where meals are prepared, friends and family gather, and where kids do homework. For many people, it became the command center of the home during the pandemic.

We’re spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Between extra meal preparation (due to limited dining-out options), increased baking activity (flour became as sparse as toilet paper in stores), hosting Zoom meetings and cocktail hours, serving as a home office, and becoming the home classroom for remote learning, it seemed we were always in the kitchen, together. It’s no wonder we became much more aware of traffic patterns, functionality, and storage.

• Additional Storage

With the kitchen taking on so many responsibilities, we scrambled to add more storage. A complete renovation provided the ability to include built-in storage solutions, but for quick fixes, many people incorporated their desire for much-needed warmth and character by adding Vintage hutches and dressers—a budget-friendly alternative to built-ins adept at showcasing china and glassware and housing office supplies and containers of crayons.

• Light Wood Cabinets

In an otherwise dark, heavy year, people seemed to crave interiors that exuded lightness. People are replacing cabinets (more than 60 percent of homeowners opt for Shaker-style cabinets), mixing light wood and other neutrals like whites and grays to create an airy palette with a dash of warmth. Others are using the budget-friendly option of painting their kitchen cabinets—with many bowing to the two-tone color trend.

• Light Flooring

The urge to lighten-up the kitchen extends to flooring choices, too. Whether it’s hardwood, tile, laminate, or luxury vinyl, people are moving to lighter colors.

Speaking of paint colors, experts say that the pandemic brought on a serious wave of nostalgia for people seeking comfort from the past that translated into a yearning for retro furniture and color palates. Some experts predict a wave of funky color palettes (think mauve, forest green, and burnt orange) and furniture throwbacks like ’80s curves and ’90s traditionalism.

Other experts indicate a move toward warm neutrals and rich earth tones are a top 2021 color trend with a nod to the Danish and Norwegian sense of hygge (a quality of coziness and comfort). While others point to the other end of the color spectrum, predicting soft shades of blue, known to have a calming effect, will be a balm to our souls.

Is there anyplace that can satisfy that impulse better than a thrift store? The Re-Store Warehouse is a great place to find the products you need to renovate or update your home at a great price. As a bonus, your purchases help support the less fortunate of Cumberland County while promoting our environment’s sustainability.