5 interiors trends to recreate in 2021

Yellow and grey colour combinations are on trend for 2021 and here at LRI we have it covered, with our grey velvet Petit Royale ottoman and yellow cushions, teamed with our abstract Harley cushion in a mix of grey, yellow and cream.

We may not refresh our interiors as frequently as we do our wardrobes, but new fashions can influence what we buy for our homes just as much as what we choose to wear.

Like all new trends, sometimes it can be difficult to fathom what will and won’t work for you, so we’ve done the homework and selected the top 5 trends we think our customers might like to invite indoors.

We've also included some suggestions as to which LRI furniture and home accessories will work best with these current trends...read on for inspiration!

Grey paired with yellow

Pops of lemony yellow against a backdrop of gravel-toned grey are de rigueur this year, following American colour company’s Pantone’s selection of these two shades as its colours of the year for 2021.

Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, an “optimistic” hue of yellow, are the colours Pantone has decreed will help people "fortify themselves with energy, clarity and hope" in a world that's set to face increasing uncertainty.

Pantone’s Colours of the Year 2021. Image courtesy of Pantone.

The bright yellow shade, called Illuminating, is meant to evoke the “optimistic promise of a sunshine-filled day”, while Ultimate Gray is a much quieter hue that speaks more of “composure, steadiness and resilience”.

“Practical and rock-solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. 

Here at LRI, we’re well ahead of this particular trend – grey being one of our signature colours! Take one of our dove grey linen upholstered Petit Royale ottoman coffee tables or our plush grey velvet version and accessorise your sofa with vivacious bright yellow cushions or a throw – and you’re sporting the latest interior look in your home.

 

Teaming grey accessories, such as our new grey-glazed artichoke candle holders, with spring daffodils freshens up your interiors.

Another really easy way to give a nod to the colours of the year would be to set off our dove grey upholstered dining chairs with a vase of daffodils on the dining table. (Perhaps you’ve done this already without even realising you were ahead of the curve!)

Contemporary country

Less about the flouncy florals and pastoral rusticity of the cottage-core decor trend, contemporary country involves creating comfort without too much fuss. Modern country design harnesses the use of natural materials, such as wood, wicker and rattan and incorporates countryside themes, like mellow meadow prints and embroidery, while remaining uncluttered and minimal. Linen upholstery and rugs made of organic materials are in keeping with with the natural theme.

A farmhouse or refectory-style kitchen table is a must in country-style interior. Bench seating also looks great with a farmhouse table and it’s practical, as well as on-trend, if you have a large family to seat around the table.

Practicality is important – in contemporary country-style home everything has its place and a purpose, so it gets used rather than being purely on show. Everything should be functional and authentic – nothing too delicate or precious. Large pieces of functional furniture with plenty of storage work well and are useful for hiding away crockery, cutlery etc.

To help create that modern country look, take a look at our refectory-style Montague weathered oak dining table. It’s handcrafted from prime oak and the top has had a wire-brush technique to enhance the grain of wood, giving it a more pronounced appearance. This ties in perfectly with this theme, which focuses on organic, natural, weathered textures. Or our Belvedere table would also work well, complete with matching bench.

Our Montague Dining Table has a weathered oak finish and a functional unfussy silhouette that ties in with the modern country look.

Warm earthy shades

While the US firm Pantone exerts an international influence, here in the UK some of our leading paint brands also select their colours of year. Dulux has gone for Brave Ground, a “warm, natural neutral that lets other colours shine, it provides a springboard for change in your home”.

Luxury paint firm Little Greene, which released a new paint range called ‘Stone’ last month, has introduced a warmer collection of co-ordinated neutrals representing “tranquillity, timelessness and harmony”.  It marks a transition from the ever-popular greys to warmer, earthy, stonier tones – providing a restful alternative to cooler choices. Again, these are comforting and easy to live with, which is doubly important right now when we’re all spending so much time at home.

Stone on stone... Little Greene’s co-ordinating shades of Portland Stone. Image courtesy of Little Greene.

If you’re not about to redecorate any time soon, you can always add hints of these colours with a few well-chosen accessories.

Cushions, for example, can add texture as well as colour to a room. Our Ripple Cushion in a natural shade features a lovely herringbone pattern and earthy bronze piped edged detailing, while the Luxe Velvet Paprika cushion adds just the right amount of warm spice to a sofa or chair.

Our Ripple cushion in natural with herringbone pattern and bronze piped edging.  

Ocean hues

Conjuring up relaxing poolsides and beach getaways, aqua and inky blues offer a calm, contemporary look. 

Even if we can't get away to sunnier climes right now, at least we can incorporate these tranquil, feel-good colours into our homes.

Ocean blues are a key colour trend for the year. Varying from deep inky tones through to soft aquas, blue is the perfect colour for creating a tranquil home.

Farrow & Ball’s Ultra Marine Blue epitomises this trend. According to the F&B website, this stunning blue with a slightly romantic feel has been in favour since the 18th century, when it was often used to make small rooms feel bigger. For the contemporary home, it looks striking on cabinetry, especially combined with a kitchen island in dramatic Scotch Blue.

If you're not ready to dive into blue on your walls or kitchen cabinets, you could introduce ocean hues with our royal blue or pale blue velvet upholstered chairs or Petit Royale ottomans. 

Bring the some ocean-like blues into your living room with our Petit Royale ottoman in royal blue – also available in pale blue. 

Scandinavian style

Scandinavian interior design is a minimalistic style using a blend of textures and soft hues to make sleek, modern décor feel warm and inviting. It's all about clean lines, utility, and simple furnishings that are functional, beautiful, and cosy.

The first step towards achieving this cool, calm look? Decluttering. (For tips see our previous blog!) But rather than going for too stark a look, aim for not too much and not too little – after all, you're trying to create the hygge vibe, which is cosy and comforting, not an overly minimal, bare kind of look.

To increase hygge, add things that remind you of warmth and comfort, such as candles, soft blankets, and slippers. If you have a fireplace, make this a focal point and gathering place. Add personal touches that make you happy.

Scandinavian furniture should have a modern and striking look, while remaining simple and not overly ornate.

Our new Newport weathered oak dining table, with its clean modern lines and light grey toned wood is perfect for Scandi-style interiors. It's a high-quality, handcrafted piece of furniture with a wire-brushed finish that enhances the natural grain of the wood, so adds a layer of texture that is a vital component of this look.

Our Newport Dining Table, with its modern, sleek, crossed base would look great in a clean yet cosy Scandi-style interior.