2021 living room trends to look out for

The beginning of the year may have felt like it had the longest month ever, but we are just getting started with 2021. At the time of writing we're just about to move into February, and with every new year comes a slightly evolved version of what "modern" means with regards to interior design. With so many of us working from home and not going outside much, there is a big push by DIY companies and the like to make people aware of ways to update and bring a new lease of life to their rooms, especially in our living rooms. I don't know about you, but apart from my bed, my living room is now where the family spends most of the day.

With this in mind, let's cover some of the core pieces of furniture that make up a living room, and what is being touted as living room trends for 2021.

Sofas & Chairs

Your comfiest couches and chairs are usually the first thing everyone thinks about when they picture a living room, so we're going to touch on it first. Leather was the big thing everyone wanted in their living room in the 2000s, but we've managed to move on since then (especially for the vegans amongst us). Today, fabric is king, particularly in colours such as graphite, silver, charcoal, and cream as customers opt for neutral and calming tones in living rooms. For anyone still clinging to a bright red sofa, it is definitely time for a change.

In terms of shapes, traditional 2 and 3 seaters are still as common as they ever were. However, many people are opting for corner and U-shaped sofas nowadays to make the most of their space. These are frequently paired with large footstools that support more people and match the sofa's finish/material. When it comes to family night on the sofa watching Netflix, these bigger sofas are the way to go. I recommend looking at modular options to give you more versatility of where sofas can go.

Sleek Designer Radiators

Radiators are often overlooked when it comes to planning out a living room interior, but people underestimate the effect their presence has on the overall look and feel of the room. This is especially true with the growing popularity of designer radiators.

When most people think about a radiator, they're thinking of the off-white, basic-design that hangs on the living room wall. This is not what radiators are in 2021…not by a long-shot. Just a glance over the variety of radiator designs offered by suppliers like Trade Radiators will show you there's genuinely something to suit any living room colour-scheme or layout.

Brighter and shinier finishes like chrome and silver work best in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them there. In living rooms, recent trends are looking more at softer shades like anthracite, bronze and satin-brushed radiators.

Solid Laminate Flooring

The fact is, in the UK at least, carpets have been on their way out from the 90s. It's all about wood and laminate flooring these days, in the living room at least. And it's no surprise. Solid flooring is much easier to clean and allows for fancy underfloor heating!

The most popular laminate flooring going into 2021 looks to be herringbone when going for darker shades, and oak white when it is a traditional panel design.

Tying It All Together

Finally, living room accessories are very much back in action. After a decade of trying to be as minimal as possible with interiors, many brands now realise that families stuck at home want all the bells and whistles in their living rooms. In houses where everyone is on top of one another, and it feels like organised chaos, demand for chests of drawers are on the up. They're seen as the one piece of furniture everyone needs to put their laptops and such, be it for office work or schoolwork, out of sight so the family can unplug in the evenings.

Trunks too are regaining popularity as families with young ones want something they can chuck toys and the like into at the end of the day. Throws continue to be an essential item, especially for families where one person is always moaning the room is still too cold when the heating is on all evening.

And, quite surprisingly, plants are proving popular in stores like Dunelm and The Range, as people who can't go outside are bringing nature to them. Just make sure any prickly succulents are kept away from grabby little hands! Speaking of green fingers, as we're almost at the time of year where the weather takes a turn, get ready to take care of your gardens with the latest gardening advice on the site.