Harry Norman, REALTORS® Atlanta Real Estate agents are privy to home trends as (or even before) they happen. Showing, staging, and selling homes in Atlanta gives our realtors the inside scoop of what consumers are looking for in their next home. We have curated a shortlist of the biggest trends of 2020 that we predict will remain at the forefront of Atlanta home design for the upcoming year.
Multifunctional Spaces
Arguably the biggest (and most necessary) trend of 2020, versatility is here to stay. Many of us spent some time in 2020 rearranging, repurposing, and redesigning existing spaces in our homes to meet the needs of our new day-to-day. Creating distinct zones in larger, open spaces like primary bedrooms or living rooms can be as simple as arranging lighting, rugs, or accent pieces to divide the space. Or, for the enthusiastic home owner or DIY expert, reworking existing architectural and design elements creates more intentional and permanent solutions:
“Designing furniture and cabinetry with multipurpose functions hidden until required can help make the most of your space. For example, a dining table surface can turn into a working desk with hidden casework features for storage, power and a USB port.” — John McCulley of McCulley Design Lab, a multi-disciplinary design firm based in San Diego
Livable Luxury
Tied in closely with multifunctional spaces is livable luxury. Being at home more means your furniture, décor, and home fixtures receive a lot more use and attention. As you look to refresh a room or update your environment, fabrics, and materials that are both durable and elegant will be your go-to. Fabrics like leather, wool, or olefin are not only chic and comfortable but can withstand the additional usage that working/schooling/parenting from home can bring.
“I think 2021 is going to be all about livable luxury, and versatility in design. So many people have had to transition over the past year, that they are rethinking less-used spaces and embracing furniture concepts that play double duty. Next year will be all about durable fabrics, comfortable upholstery, and furniture pieces that are versatile and chic.” —Kate Lester, a luxury residential and commercial interior designer in Los Angeles
Smart Luxury Technology
Smart home tech is nothing new, and will continue to surge in 2021 with even more gadgets and gizmos that make our lives easier and our homes more efficient. CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, hosted their event virtually this past year as they highlighted the top smart products for 2021. Among these include touchless doorbells, refrigerators that open their doors on command, and smart pet doors. Whether you are looking for the convenience of waking up and saying ‘Alexa, turn on all the lights’, or the luxury of Kohler’s extravagant Infinity Experience tub (a bath tub that features an infinity edge, aromatherapy diffuser, and ‘experience’ tower, amongst other settings), integrating intelligent accessories into your home will be on the forefront of your to-do list.
Looking Forward: Feel Good Color Palettes 
Pantone has officially announced that the 2021 colors of the year are Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. A quick and easy way to incorporate these colors into your existing décor is with small accessories such as pillows, area rugs, or wall art. Adding pops of Illuminating storage options and organizational features to your office space will instantly brighten the room without breaking the budget.
“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity, supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope.” —Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Institute
Use Ultimate Gray candles, luxury towels, and spa-inspired bathroom elements for an instantly serene at-home getaway. For those that fully embrace the trends, painting an accent wall or incorporating Pantone Color of the Year furniture can totally transform your space. And with the new year among us, a complete and total metamorphosis of our surroundings could be exactly what we need to feel revitalized.
Multifunctional spaces, smart home décor, and uplifting colors are a few trends that not just make functional sense, but bring us joy on a day-to-day basis. Finding the moments in life and home that can instantly add ease and positivity will be paramount in 2021. We are all a product of our environment, so it makes sense we should invest in a luxurious, livable, and curated home.