2021 home design trends

It’s that time of the year again when we can all look forward to new beginnings. In a few days, 2021 will be upon us, signifying new hope for a brighter tomorrow.

When it comes to architecture and design, our unique experiences in 2020 will definitely shape our tastes and preferences in the future. Health and wellness, which have been thrown around frequently this year, will most probably still remain in focus next year. Contactless technology, low-maintenance spaces and nature-inspired elements will also remain popular as we continue to battle the challenges of the pandemic.

Here are the design trends to watch out for in the upcoming year, as predicted by various experts in the field.

Open layouts offer much needed room in our homes.

Open layouts

As many of us spent 2020 quarantined at home, it’s no surprise that there is a clamor for more spacious and generous interiors. While only a few have access to large homes especially in the city, open designs offer the next best alternative.

According to the design platform Arch Daily, living spaces will have a tendency to feature less formal barriers. Mobile partitions and curtains are just some of the more fluid dividers that are set to shape the way we live in the near future.

While this concept is not fairly new, 2020 has definitely inspired up and coming projects to incorporate open designs in the mix. For example, Ortigas Land’s Residences at The Galleon, which is part of a mixed-use complex set to rise in the Ortigas central business district, features open plan living, dining and kitchen areas in many of its offered units. This approach will help residents adapt a more relaxed and flexible approach when it comes to carrying out domestic activities even in the middle of the metro.

The kitchen island is one multi-functional feature that is set to make our homes more flexible in 2021

Multi-purpose rooms

In relation to the open design, multi-functional rooms are set to make a comeback as well in our homes. As we all learned to work, study, bond and play at home this 2020, it has become essential for our domestic spaces to easily be transformed into varying venues. The year 2021 will see a surge in this kind of spaces, as many of us will continue to make our homes an all-around venue to meet our family’s needs.

In particular, kitchens are set to become the most adaptable spaces in our homes. Island counters are becoming popular again due to the multiple activities it can host in a small amount of space. Storage solutions, such as open shelves and pantry cabinets, will remain essential as ever to keep up with the new activities that we are now conducting at home.

Incorporating multi-functional areas in our homes will definitely help us live more comfortably. In The Galleon, for example, island counters are incorporated in its units, from the one-bedroom cuts to the penthouse offerings. This feature will help make food preparation, dining and even cleaning up a cinch as residents will have more room to move about and work with.

Smart devices offering contactless technology will still be popular for 2021.

Smart spaces

As we continue to live in fear of COVID-19, contactless technology is not only convenient nowadays—it is also essential for our peace of mind.

Smart devices such as keyless entries, temperature sensors, motion-activated light switches and phone-activated appliances have definitely reduced our fears of virus transmission. These items will continue to be prized in the upcoming year, as technology becomes more developed and accessible to people.

Thankfully, there are already places in our country which already incorporate this technology in the building design. Residences at The Galleon is one of these projects, as it is fitted with smart features designed to make residents’ lives more comfortable. Living in a home that already offers technology will allow you to harness the benefits of smart spaces immediately.

Plants and other natural elements are to be expected in future architecture.

Biophilic design

Biophilic or nature-inspired architecture has already been winning fans for many years now. Yet this concept is set to capture many more hearts in the upcoming year due to the benefits it offers. As people now realize the benefit of natural lighting, fresh air and vegetation, we can expect nature-inspired spaces to become a hot trend in 2021.

In particular, urban gardens and indoor plants have become very popular. This 2020, we saw the rise of the “plantitas” attesting to this idea. While not all places have access to the natural ground, landscaped areas and pocket gardens will definitely become essential in urban homes.

Many modern condominiums already incorporate these natural features in their design. To exemplify, an outdoor garden is one of the common spaces that will be included in the up-and-coming Residences at The Galleon. This provides residents a breathing space in the middle of the city, and provides them a place where they can stroll and relax even in the middle of the urban jungle.

The Galleon is one of those innovative projects that are set to lead the way to a more responsive future

Innovative thinking

2020 marked a very memorable year for many of us, as the world underwent its first pandemic in decades. Despite this unfortunate event, we have learned to value the important things in life this year- our families, our basic needs, and our homes.

The lessons that that we have picked up in 2020 will definitely change the way we design in the future. Thankfully, there are those that have managed to take the step ahead. Projects such as The Galleon of Ortigas Land already respond to our needs, even before the pandemic started. This kind of innovative design will lead the way toward a brighter tomorrow and will help us move ahead into greater heights.

Sources: www.archdaily.com, www.levantina.com, www.architecturaldigest.com, www.ortigas.com.ph, Cleyder Duque, TheFacesISeek, Charlotte May, Lisa Fotios via pexels.com