5 Home Trends Design Experts Are Ready to Leave in 2020

Non-Functional Spaces

“I am looking forward to saying bye-bye to slapped together rooms that aren’t functional for current life. If you’ve been 'making it work' since March 2020, consider investing in your space in 2021. Did your living room turn into your home office? Finally get a writing desk set up for maximum productivity—your sofa will thank you for it. Doing yoga in your bedroom now? Carve out a corner for a little equipment hub so all of your items are close by and take up the space they need to. A few functional hacks around the house will make it a much more enjoyable place to be.” —Michelle Gage, founder of Michelle Gage Interior Design 

White and Neutral Rooms

“2020 may not have brought the best of circumstances, but it certainly made us think of home differently. I look forward to cozier homes with warm colors and textures and saying bye-bye to white, sterile spaces.” —Deb Foglia, content creator Seeking Lavender Lane 

“I truly think that the era of all white walls is over. I think there will be a push to more color, even if muted color, on walls with paint and with wallcoverings. People are gravitating more toward spaces that feel cozy and welcoming.” - Heidi Caillier, founder of Heidi Caillier Design 

“Color is back, baby! From colorful backsplashes to funky décor, this is definitely a trend lasting far beyond 2021. It’s okay to leave characterless, white kitchens in 2020.” —Chelsey Brown, author and content creator at City Chic Decor 

“One of the biggest trends I am looking forward to leaving behind is all neutral everything in every room. I am loving the resurgence of more bold color and pattern, especially when it comes to wall coverings. Although neutrals will never go out of style, it feels very fresh to switch it up by layering in some richer hues throughout the home.” —Chrissy Hunter, interior designer and content creator at Harlowe James 

“As much as I love and appreciate a crisp, white, and textural space, I’m ready to see more interior personality inserted in the year ahead. I’m predicting we’ll notice more dark, bold, and colorful design plans as we move throughout 2021. I’'m also hoping for more pattern and interesting textures, whether that’s found in textiles, wall coverings, or furnishings. I’m looking forward to seeing spaces that really push creative boundaries.” —Sarah Gibson, content creator at Room for Tuesday

“My hope is that 2021 will finally see the end of all white rooms. As people spend more time in their homes, they start to realize how difficult it is to keep such a room clean, but more importantly, the lack of warmth and character in most all white rooms is not enticing at this time. We want to be embraced and enveloped by our homes and to feel safe and loved. Texture, color, and wood convey this much more than white walls and furniture.” —Kelly Finley, founder and principal designer of Joy Street Design

Metallic Gold Décor

“Personally, I think this looks a bit tacky. I almost think of this as dollar store décor. Switch out your metallic gold accents for brass or ceramic to create a more mature feel in your home.” —Chelsey Brown, author and content creator at City Chic Decor 

Open Floor Plans

“While an open and generous floor plan will never be a bad thing, the open space floor plans we all loved prior to 2020 proved to be pretty difficult to live in when we found ourselves working, dining, and lounging in the same space. As the world has shifted, so, too have our needs in the interior design space. I predict a lot more designs that allow for an open ‘feeling’ without having to sacrifice privacy or functionality if we do need a separate space.” —Brady Tolbert, creative director at Bobby Berk

Exposed Lightbulbs

“What we’d love to give a big goodbye to is lighting with exposed bulbs. There are few exceptions to this, but on the whole, it’s time for them to skedaddle. If you have an existing fixture with exposed bulbs, please take this responsibility seriously and buy the proper bulbs. Your retinas will thank you.” —Leslie Martin, co-founder of M + M Interior Design