2000 – 2020 : Home Design And Decor Trends Through The Decades

Release of the iPod, Backstreet Boys and Blu-ray, 2000’s was a decade of sudden and immediate change. As much as it wasn’t too long ago, decor trends of that period seem like it happened in centuries past. Our obsession with white kitchens and jar storage came from that period. Let us see how it impacted the rest of the home.

Before the modern farmhouse there were shabby chic bedrooms; rustic, distressed, slightly off-kilter and a bit of country vintage. There was ruffled lace bedding, white washed dressers, ornate table lamps and an air of non-conformity.

Remember the large since, entertainment unit you must have had in your living room? Most homes did and everything would be packed in it; Blu-ray discs, TV, large radios, oversized speakers and more. It was bulky, heavy equipment and this was the key focus in most living rooms.

It was all white, most kitchens. This trend still holds today. Dark wooden cabinets gave away to light, white ones and slatted shelves and it became the dominant colour tone for everything furniture in the kitchen.

Bathrooms became much larger and luxurious in the decade, with ornate features. The design moved away from small, cramped functional ones to large bathrooms where endless time could be spent in.

The perfection that existed before in having everything matched up, broke the mould in the 2000s with mismatched furniture. Dining rooms became more whimsical, fun spaces. Chairs and furniture became non-conformist, bought in single quantities and different colours for a warm vibe.

Also Read: Latest Furniture Trends 2021

As much as white kitchens and pastels took off in the decade, there was also a studied contrast of dark colours and deeper hues. Pantone’s 2002 ‘true red’ and deep browns reflected this trend.

Mason jars and storage boxes were everywhere. From kitchens to cabinet counters to bedroom dressers, they stored odds and ends, bobs and pins. Whether used as a wine glass, candle holder or vase, mason jars redefined what a compact, glass container could do.

Despite the continuing of whites and experimentation of the last decade, the 2010’s were strangely sober. There was the rise of new techs such as iPhone, new sounds of music and increased focus on the environment. This more or less affected home design and decor which became more minimalist, understated and simple. Much of what trended, countered the excesses of the previous decades as we see below.

Bedrooms have always been elaborate but the 2010’s saw them becoming functional. More space for the bed, less room for changing and the closet. Doors becoming simple and modern, furniture more streamlined.

With a relaxed vibe and minimalist furniture, came use and flexible furniture pieces. Poufs and cushions became easy floor seating. They were spread all around, from patios to living rooms, balconies to dining areas doubling as seating and to rest.

With a minimalist approach and small cooking space came the need to keep kitchens open, airy, organised and away from traditional heaviness. Although needing more work, it was a good way to showcase dinnerware.

Floral, simple bathroom tiles in this decade gave way to geometric diamond and hexagonal-shaped tiles, with better visual interest and more personalisation.

What began in the previous decade with shabby chic, continued with a modern farmhouse look. A simple, non-pretentious design that combines minimalism with chic, wood tables, rough textured surfaces, patchwork and functional furnishings.

Pinks and greens, yellows and purples, 2010’s were all about such weird but attractive contrasts especially on walls of single rooms. On one hand all-white became too boring, so it was swapped for light pastels and flowers. On the other, heavy browns and greys gave way to deep green and mustard hues in the bedroom, dining and kitchen areas.

From closed, confined spaces with walls, home design began to run fluid with the open plan concept. Whether in tight, compact apartments to large, sprawling mansions, homes became a welcoming, warm, flowing space.

There began to emerge a subtle sophistication especially in hardware, brass, bronze, dull gold taps, pipes, finishings in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms were a coveted architectural feature.

We’ve just begun with the new decade and much of what has happened previously, we see a continuation in the years ahead. Although it is difficult to predict, below is what we can definitely expect in the forthcoming years.

Also Read: Home Design Trends 2021

Tech is increasingly going to get into every space and bedrooms seem to be the most likely. From temperature controlled environments to heat sensitive lighting, built-in USB ports to sleep tracking, smart tech is the future and will be omnipresent.

Maximalism is in, if trends show, after the overindulgence in minimalism of the last decade. Over-the-top chandeliers and gold-dusted decor to plush carpeting and marble walls, eclectic will be the way of modern living spaces.

White which has been a perennial favourite in kitchens since the last two decades, doesn’t seem to fade away. But colour and brightness will pop up in cabinets, gadgets, cabinets and appliances. From pops of red to soft pinks, colour is going to make a big splash in kitchens.

As much as open-plan spaces are all trending right now, homeowners will see the need for closeted spaces that are separate and intentional from the rest of the home. This applies to the dining room and the space where families will increasingly have meals together.

Although beige was too 90’s it will make a strong comeback. We are already seeing whites make way for this colour. Also neutrals going more greys, heavy and deep seem very imminent.

With the environment gaining greater focus, there seems to be an increased urgency in eco-friendly architecture and design. Sustainable, eco-focused homes with solar panels, natural ventilation, low-energy lighting and earth-friendly buildings seem to be the way forward.

Rattan, bamboo and reclaimed wood will continue to make an impact given our earth-conscious building initiatives. From rattan chairs to bamboo bookcases, natural linen upholstery to wicker chairs, there will be lots more of such time tested materials.

Home decor trends 2021 capture the creativity, imagination and ideas that have been infused through the decades into the places we’ve lived in.