When considering the upcoming year and what trends we can expect to see in home and apartment design, we must reflect on what changes we’ve seen in the past year.
People are spending more time at home and therefore require residential spaces that are more conducive to longer stretches of time at home. This also includes activities that are not normally performed from home.
Add a Home Office
The number one home design trend is working from home. Adding a home office has been a critical trend and will continue through 2021. Making a dedicated separate room for a home office is by far the best option. This will allow for privacy and keeps work and home separate. Soundproofing is very important, so building sound insulated walls and using high quality doors will go a long way for a home office.
Home Office
Create Separation of Space
Expanding on home office design, it is important to have separation of use. For example, home and work separation. If you have the space, you can add walls and even glass enclosures. Making the materials for this space be glass can allow you to see what is going on in the rest of the house and make it feel more open.
Apartment Home Office NYC
Homework Area
I believe in structure and consistency. With so many students staying home for remote learning, having a dedicated homework space can help distinguish between work and play for children. It can be a great way to gear into study or school mode and give the feeling of going to school by entering a designated study space.
Homework Desk
Home Entertainment
Entertainment has been a huge struggle, and people are desperate for ways to stay entertained. With so many businesses closed, a good home entertainment center, even a simple one, can go a long way.
Home Entertainment Center
Kids Play Room
Children want to be rambunctious, so having a dedicated play room is a great option for them to let loose and have fun at home. You can add some floor pads for extra safety, and the extra storage is always a great idea.
Kids Play Room
Large Sectional Couch
I have always been a huge fan of large sectional sofas. They are a great place for the entire family to come together. The bigger, the better! Having a sectional couch will allow you to change the configuration as needed for different uses. It makes it easy to push aside, as well as opens up the living room space.
Large Sectional Sofa
Storage / Cubbies
I do not believe there is such a thing as too much storage. Adding a mud room will be really advantageous as a buffer space between indoors and outdoors. If you do not have the room, a closet with cubbies can also be a big help. Either way storage will always come in handy and should never be overlooked.
Modern shoe rack design
Open Concept Living
Being at home more often than you normally would can easily feel claustrophobic. Having an open plan with minimal walls will make an apartment feel larger. It also allows for visual continuity so you can keep your eyes on everyone if you have small children. Open plan concepts usually have an open kitchen, dining room, and living room all connected. This is a more modern way of living and often a better use of the space.
Open Concept Loft Apartment
Compartmentalize
Separation of space is important and having designated areas for certain uses is beneficial. Of course occasions will come where the dining room table might be used for a school project but in general compartmentalizing the home can help keep order and organization when it is so easy to turn the home into a big mess.
Open Plan Loft in Tribeca
Open Kitchen
An open kitchen is pretty much mandatory these days. It makes the space feel bigger and allows visual control so you can cook and watch the kids in the living room at the same time. Also having an open kitchen means you can have space for counter seating, which is a great alternative to always using the formal dining space.
Open Kitchen
Multiple Eating Locations
You can eat at home in many different locations. There can be a formal dining area with a dining table, a less formal area with a table, and counter seating.
Dining Room Renovation BK
Breakfast Nook
White Kitchen Peninsula with Counter Seating
Wet Bar
A wet bar is a good choice for a secondary location for a sink, refrigerator, extra dishwasher, or even a microwave. With being home all day this can give extra space for drinks and make it less necessary to go to the kitchen. You can have a second sink in your wet bar which is super helpful.
Exposed Brick Wet Bar
Reading Nook
Relaxation is important in a home. I recommend a space where you can be left alone, somewhere to spend time that tells others that you want some peace and quiet. A sitting or reading nook is one example of a quiet space that you can retreat to after being home all day with a book or your tablet.
Sitting nook ideas
Maximize Kitchen Storage
Nowadays with many people staying home and with new needs, there is a greater necessity for storage space. Adding a pantry is also really great so you do not need to go out for every little thing because you can keep plenty of products at home.
Kitchen Upper Row of Cabinets
Magnetic Wall Paint
Magnetic paint is a perfect solution for putting up your kids drawings, report cards, reminders, class schedule etc.!
Magnetic Wall Paint
Home Laundry
If you do not currently have a laundry in your home, you may want to add a laundry room or closet into your home.
New Laundry Closet
Easy to Clean Design
Being home all day means more mess. Make the home easy to clean! One great way to accomplish this in the bathroom is to use wall mounted fixtures and cabinets.
Wall Mounted Toilet and Vanity
Optimize Outdoor Space
If you have any outdoor space, you have to maximize its use with furniture or landscaping. The picture below is of a deck and rear door we added to the back on a Brooklyn Townhouse.
Townhouse Deck
Sustainable Design
Comfort and energy must be balanced in a home! By staying home all day you will be using more energy. There are many different options for energy efficiency and Sustainable Home Design.
Learning thermostat for Sustainable Design
Soaking Tub
Relaxation is important, especially with tensions and stress being high. If you like to get away using the bathroom, you can get a large soaking tub to take a few moments to relax.
Sculptural Freestanding Bathtub
Make it Cozy
You need to be comfortable. Choose your furniture wisely and make sure you can spend a lot of time in it. Add plants to warm up your space and keep the air clean.
cozy room design
Have Fun and Personalize
It is your own home, make it yours! Let your personality come out.
Chelsea Loft Fun Home Decor
Home Design Ideas in 2021
As people are spending more time at home, how we use the home is changing. It is your home, and you know how you live. You should start by figuring out your needs and how you will use your space.
I am Jorge Fontan, an architect in New York and owner of Fontan Architecture. These have been a few tips for home design in 2021 based on some of our recent projects.
Work From Home 2021
Thank You for Reading Our Blog Post on 2021 Home and Apartment Design Ideas
I hope this was helpful. If you would like to speak with an architect about a potential project you can contact us at Fontan Architecture directly.
This post was written by Jorge Fontan AIA a Registered Architect and owner of New York City architecture firm Fontan Architecture. Jorge Fontan has earned 3 degrees in the study of architecture including two degrees from the City University of New York and a Masters Degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. Jorge has a background in construction and has been practicing architecture for 20 years where he has designed renovations and new developments of various building types.
