Top 8 Interior Decorating Trends of 2021

If you love all things interior design, an interior decorating franchise might feel like the perfect investment. But the industry is also undeniably competitive! Before you dive headfirst into your new business venture, make sure to complete plenty of prep so that you can enter the growing sector prepared to hold your own.

Running your own business with the support of a franchisor takes effort, time and ample amounts of research - and that’s all before you’ve even signed a franchise agreement! For those interested in a career in interior decorating, that research starts right here, with a deep dive into a day in life of an interior decorator, an exploration of the current state of the industry, and a rundown of the top eight interior decorating trends dominating consumer conversation at the end of 2021. 

What does an interior decorating business do?

An interior decorating business works to transform interior spaces. These spaces might be domestic, commercial or both. Some interior decorating franchise businesses work across a wider swathe of the industry offering design services, like Happinest. Others choose to occupy and corner a niche, like the fun and festive franchise that is The Christmas Decorators (the clue is very much in the name here). Generally speaking, your daily responsibilities as the owner of an interior design franchise will include:

Meeting, negotiating and communicating with clients

• Discussing requirements and ideas
• Developing, drafting, editing and refining plans/ideas/work
• Scheduling and budgeting out projects/work to be completed
• Advising clients on things like colour schemes, space suitability, fabric choice, etc.
• Cultivating and maintaining strong client and supplier relationships
• Managing your business and your time/the time of a full team of employees

The shape of the interior decoration industry post-COVID

As you research how to start your own interior decorating franchise, you’ll want to get to know the industry as it is now, in a post-COVID context. There are currently an estimated 20,000 interior designers operating in the UK [British Institute of Interior Design], with many more decorators classified as something else under the home improvement/construction umbrella. These decorators and designers were impacted negatively by the pandemic, as business was patchy and work was at times impossible or very difficult to complete.

Still, you’ll be pleased to know that the interior decoration industry has been bouncing back in the latter half of 2021 and recovering well, responding to very high levels of demand. Thanks to the multiple UK lockdowns across 2020 and 2021, many British customers have spent more time than ever at home, and they’re 100% ready to refresh their surroundings as a result! It might surprise you to know that if you want to become an interior decorator, this is actually a great time to invest.

The 8 top interior decorating trends in 2021

1. Sustainable furniture finds

Environmentally friendly options have become an increasing priority for the UK consumer during 2021, after many saw the possibilities of a more eco-friendly life when forced to drop certain habits due to COVID-19. This in mind, sustainable furniture items and second-hand steals are gaining popularity and traction. These re-used pieces also tie into the third trend on this list - the popularity of interior items with classic and nostalgic vibes.

2. Blended “Japandi” style

Think classic Japanese minimalism with a bit of added Scandi spice! This fresh, blended take on two simple styles is hugely popular at the minute, and it’s something you should look out for among your own customers. Don’t be surprised if you hear the phrase “japandi” cropping up more and more in client meetings heading into 2022.

3. Classic and nostalgic vibes

Some things never go out of style, and though nostalgia is different for everyone, there are certain semi-universally nostalgic or classic items that you’ll probably see crop up a lot right now. Cottagecore is a great example of this, bringing items previously considered to be “granny-ish” back into the fore of the interior world.

4. Textured accent walls

Normal wallpaper? More like, “See you later!” Textured accent walls are the name of the game for hip interior decorators. This has been true for a few years, actually, but the trend shows no signs of dying down in the near future. There are 3D tiles. There are carved wood wall coverings. There’s shiplap. There are large tapestry-style art pieces/rugs hung from walls. There’s even good old textured wallpaper, if you want to keep it slightly simple.

5. Reconnecting with nature

A renewed love of nature is creeping into interior design through not just the introduction of plenty of house plants (and even plants that are integrated within the design of a piece of furniture), but also through a generally increased use of earthy and green tones. Think sage green, olive green, deep ochre, warm brown, etc.

6. Layered looks

Layering rugs over rugs. Layering stripe patterns over stripe patterns over check patterns over more stripe patterns. There’s so many ways to completely reinvent an aesthetic just by adding some extra layers to the mix, and more people are coming around to this fun, fresh and interesting way of decorating. Which brings us right to trend seven...

7. Out with the minimalism, in with the maximalism

Invest with one of the top interior decoration franchises in the UK right now, and a client will soon introduce you to the popular concept of maximalism (the opposite of minimalism). In the words of Rebecca Jennings [Vox], “To look at a maximalist home is to get a sense of what the inside of a person’s brain might look like — the places they’ve visited, their heritage, the random objects they’ve amassed over a lifetime.” 

8. Home office and home gym spaces (of all shapes and sizes)

Even with gyms open again and some offices returning to pre-COVID stasis, many continue to work out and work stuff out in their living spaces. That means home office and home gym renos are all the rage, even as the industry moves into 2022. From turning small walk-in wardrobes into offices all the way to transforming barely-used dining rooms into high-tech home gyms, there’s plenty of innovation to be had in this area.

Start a franchise with the latest interior decorating trends in mind

If this article has left you readier than ever to find your ideal franchise fit and start an interior decorating franchise, stay on Point Franchise to find out more. Discover exactly how to make a career change with an interior decorating franchise, or read up on the eight biggest advantages of running an interior decorating franchise.