NURSERY TRENDS FOR 2021

The continued pandemic challenges and national lockdowns of 2021 may lead to a feeling of Groundhog Day, but a new year always brings hope and a chance to look at life with a fresh perspective. Though last year was extraordinary, it did give us all the opportunity to celebrate our homes like never before, leading to a boom in DIY and upcycling pursuits. While Pinterest boards burgeon under the growing weight of interior pins, it seems that speculation of a baby boom from the first coronavirus wave may not come to fruition. That said, there will always be babies, and where there are newborns, there are legions of parents planning the perfect nursery.

With our expert knowledge, Kids Interiors is here to help you decipher the hottest nursery trends for 2021. Read on to get the inside track on the colour palettes, textiles, themes and products that we expect to make it big on the feeds, grids and boards of the savviest stylists.

BRING OUT THE BROWNS

It’s such an uninspiring word for a rich colour full of so much promise and warmth.  ‘Earth’ was the word on the street last year, and it’s certainly a trend that’s here to stay. Think chocolate, mocha, earth, clay and terracotta fused perfectly with toffee, caramel, mustard and lighter shades of peach and blush.

It’s a look that’s closely aligned to the nude movement, so it is a popular choice for unknown gender and also timeless for those who perhaps don’t want to put all their eggs in the newborn basket. Just like every trend, there are degrees, so you can expect to see brown channelled in colour blocking and painted feature walls but also as an accent in prints and wallpapers. Given its provenance, it works well with nature so expect to see this in-demand shade in patterns with leaves and foliage plus wildlife and animal-based wallpapers. Rooted in nature, brown-toned nurseries work wonders with straightforward, no-fuss cribs and cots in natural wood. Complimentary accessories in wicker, rattan, macramé and tassels complete the earthy circle and lend calm to nursery spaces.

CAPTIVATING CANOPIES FOR COSY TIME

Some trends sneak up on us without warning where others grow with stealth that builds a permanence unlikely to be thwarted by passing fads. We’re willing to bet that the canopy centrepiece is here to stay. It’s such a versatile trend, and while its natural home is in boho themed nurseries, it really is an accessory suited to almost any room setting.

In newborn nurseries you’re most likely to find the canopy nestling at one end of the cot, providing a gentle shelter for slumber as well as a visual masterpiece with minimal effort. It’s an adornment built for the long haul though, doubling up as a hideaway for cosy reading corners as your child grows.

Teamed with lights and mobiles or stylishly solo, we’re expecting to see a raft of new colours and design inspiration for the celebrated canopy.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY

This ornithological offshoot from the growing Scandi nursery trend is set to take flight in 2021. Nordic flying swans seem to be at the forefront of the movement and you’ll more often than not witness them inhabiting canopies or soaring over cots and cribs.

Perhaps it’s a natural evolution of the plush animal heads we saw in the heart of the trophy wall décor trend? There’s something whimsical about this look so don’t be surprised if you see it duetting with a fairy tale creature on a print.

VACATION VIBES

There’s almost no doubt that this growing trend has been boosted by the glut of cancelled holidays and enforced time at home, but it also follows hot on the heels of the coastal and Bali trends we witnessed in 2020. The key to inviting a bit of holiday spirit into the nursery is creating a carefree space with lots of light and energy. Channel Cali coastal with natural flooring and an abundance of rattan and macrame and keep colour palettes muted and to a minimum of two or three at most. Murals and vibrant wallpaper can create the destination in a matter of panels – rolling waves, beach horizon colour blocking, and palm tree prints look set to be big. A touch of the colonial is also present in this trend. Floaty voile coverings at windows in place of heavy curtains or minimalist shutters for a simplistic and streamlined look.

INDOOR EXPLORING

This trend can almost be split into two subcategories: home baby gymnasiums and virtual travel. Whether it’s a reflection of what’s going on in the outside world or not this would seem a fortuitous interior movement, perfectly poised to educate and energise little people from the comfort of their own spaces.

We’re talking beechwood A-frames and slides for early development of essential balance and coordination skills. On the other hand, there are dreamy voyages and around-the-world tours made possible by world-map wallpaper and interactive race-circuit rugs. The theme here is travel of a sort, but the interpretation is yours for the taking.

THE ALL-KNOWING NUDES

This trend is closely twinned with the earthy brown’s movement although because of its paler tones, it sits more neutrally on the colour spectrum. It’s gender-neutral, so you’ll see it both in boys’ and girls’ nurseries, but you may witness its dominance in girl’s rooms owing to its delicate nature and its propensity to work so well in boho chic and botanical themes.

The nude palette is far-reaching so expect to see peachy pastels, vanillas and creams, the palest of greys and off-white plus barely-there beiges and feminine powder pinks. Why all-knowing? Because It’s a charming trend with longevity, subtlety and serenity at heart.

SUN-DRENCHED STYLE

If rainbows were the symbol of hope in 2020, let us bask in the glory of this uplifting trend because ‘here comes the sun’! Infusing the nursery with a welcoming burst of nature’s finest seems like an intuitive choice. The sun signifies the start of a new day, an emblem of a new era, and a mainstay in kindergarten storybooks and learning aids.

Expect to see this trend manifest itself in many guises from the less permanent nursery wall art to repeat pattern wallpaper and show-stopping murals. And just as all that glitters is not gold, not all sunshine must be yellow. Vibrant orange, ombre pastels, white out of tawny brown – as long as the sun is shining, the days will seem bright.

PAINTED VINTAGE

This trend feels like it never goes out of fashion, but it’s absolutely one to watch for 2021. Again, the resurgence of vintage influences in nurseries may have been fuelled by prolonged periods at home and bouts of unseasonal spring-cleaning spurning a raft of discarded treasures. This, coupled with a flurry of expert interior vloggers showcasing their upcycling projects, has led to a ‘can-do’ attitude for the masses.

There’s something special about grandma’s art deco wardrobe getting a lick of chalky paint and a new lease of life in the process, but vintage doesn’t always equal old. This trend is being interpreted by modern nursery furniture brands too so look out for vintage-inspired suites as well as tutorial-based inspiration for authentic vintage looks.

You’ll spot this trend easily by the colour palette. Antique creams and off-whites, duck egg and dusty blues, fawns, greys and even French navy, but the real giveaway is the ornate curves and detailing that links this trend to a bygone era.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our forecasts and thoughts on the key nursery trends for 2021. Who knows what other trends will emerge during these uncertain times and extended homestays? The world may feel in a state of flux, but we must keep the faith and expend our energy on the things we can change. Enriching your home is a positive and therapeutic way to stay focused. We can’t wait to see all your exciting interior endeavours and nursery projects in 2021. Don’t forget to tag @kidsinteriors.com on Instagram if you want to get noticed and add #kidsinteriors_com  if you would like us to consider reposting.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

HOMEPAGE I GO TO SHOPPING DIRECTORY