While social distancing might have been the new buzz term of 2020, the lifestyle will continue into 2021 while we ride out the pandemic. In response, we continue to be asked as Interior Designers to create creative ways in which our clients can entertain safely from home.
Time to get screened!
Our first trend pick is screened porches – they are all the rage in 2021. Prior to the invention of air conditioning, sleeping porches and screen porches were often part of the architecture of a home and not an add-on as they are today. At the beginning of this century, they made a comeback due to health concerns such as West Nile Virus and other mosquito problems. Whether the pandemic is an excuse to build one remains to be seen, but people are eager for fresh air without having to deal with bugs and the hot sun in the summertime. Now that the home serves triple duty alongside office space and school grounds, families are looking to get away from their screens and onto their screened porches. And let’s be clear, these are not your grandparents’ porches – oh no, far from it. Clients are opting for updated luxuries such as stone fireplaces, eating/entertaining areas, televisions, elaborate ceilings, ceiling fans, and upgraded floors made of stone and faux wood. The screened porch has become the room that can be used from April through October in the Mid-Atlantic region. Of course, residents want to maximize the spaces so they’re also opting for outdoor heaters to extend porch season into the chillier weather. Homeowners are furnishing their part-time living areas with comfortable outdoor chairs, sofas, dining furniture and indoor/outdoor rugs and storage pieces to create a homey feel in these outdoor spaces. With spring just a couple of months away, now is the time to begin planning one of these projects!
Three cheers for chairs!
Our next trend is one we’ve been recommending for some time – versatile seating! Comfortable and easily transportable outdoor armchairs that are easily interchangeable between inside and outside spaces in the home are going to be a big hit this year. This specific type of chair easily works great under an outdoor pavilion with an outdoor heater and a warm and cozy blanket in all but the coldest of months. They’re also easily transitional to the front of the house or driveway for safely distanced drive-by or drive-up masked meetings with friends and family. These chairs can be paired with small tables that will hold the necessary snacks and beverages when meeting and socializing. We have some fabulous recommendations to pair with your décor!
Fire pits are so hot!
Our final trend pick for this new year is fire pits. While the chillier evenings of the year are best spent inside, you won’t want to wait until the weather begins to break to have a beautiful firepit area in your backyard to gather. Fire pits will be the perfect centerpiece to keep you and your family and friends warm and safe while gathering outdoors. After all, who doesn’t love to roast marshmallows and make s’mores safely prepared on one’s own stick? The most creative among us can make individual s’mores packages for everyone to use.
As 2021 continues on, we may see other trends pop up, but for now and the future, these will continue on.