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If your interior design is looking a little rough around the edges and is in need of an update, then checking up on the latest trends and seeing which one catches your eye is the only option. There are a multitude of fashions to consider aligning your home with at the moment, so here are just a few routes to consider taking as you revamp your key living spaces this year.

Maximalism is Back with a Bang

When you talk about boundary-pushing interior design, most people immediately make the leap to imagining minimalist, sparse spaces featuring neutral furnishings, natural materials and nothing else. However, in 2021 the return of maximalism has flipped the script completely, to the point that almost anything goes. Bold colours, brash patterns and a mishmash of furnishings are all acceptable under the free and easy attitude of maximalist design. All you need to remember is that to avoid things feeling too chaotic, it still makes sense to choose a couple of hues to act as the anchor for the rest of the room. Sites like Livingcozy.com are a good place to start if you want to find those foundational pieces around which you can build the rest of the space.

Angular Furniture is Out

If you are sick and tired of all your furniture being composed of straight lines and 90 degree angles, then you will be pleased to hear that this year the trend is for curvaceous pieces which have a sculpted feel. Softer edges that echo other accessories in the room, such as ceramic vases and cylindrical lampshades, can be a real boon if you are eager to make your living spaces feel more organic and less sterile and man-made.

Vintage and Modern can Coexist

Some people prefer simpler, more traditional styling options for their homes, and this might be particularly appropriate if the age of your property matches this kind of aesthetic. Further good news comes from the fact that professional designers are increasingly comfortable with the idea of melding old and new items without worrying about the ways in which retro and contemporary pieces might clash with one another. One of the main reasons for this trend’s ascent is that reclaimed materials are now far more common in the era of sustainability, so even brand new items can come with that worn, weathered look to them. This blurs the lines between past and present and can create a classic, cottage feel in the heart of urban areas.

Earthy Tones are on the Rise

In contrast to the in-your-face aspects of maximalism, those who prefer a less assertive aesthetic will be pleased to learn that a lot of major designers and paint producers alike are doing their best to bring natural colors back to the table in 2021. Earthy, natural tones like browns and greens are especially appealing, while rusty, rich reds can also be found in many cutting edge spaces. One of the perks of these colors is that they go particularly well with unpainted wooden furniture, and again the desirable status of reclaimed materials feeds into this trend.

Practical Spaces are Being Given Priority

The events of the past 18 months have caused many people to rethink the way they use different parts of their homes, and so more attention is being paid to the home office than ever before. Industrial-style shelving and desks are especially on-trend right now, for the obvious reasons that they both serve a useful function and do a good job of replicating what would be found in a commercial office space.

So as you can see, interior design trends can both appeal to the eye of the beholder and also be a useful reaction to broader circumstances.

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But that’s quite simply not the case anymore. Cheap does not equal inferior, and value can be had nearer the market’s bottom than ever before. Between factory direct sales, manufacturing near raw materials, and the zero-overhead of e-commerce, you can quite easily score a cheap living room set whose price will shock not only you but your guests! Never sacrifice style for savings again when you shop with some of America’s most highly rated furniture makers.

If you still have doubts, do a quick Cost-Benefit Analysis, a little Rate On Investment, if you will, on your living room set. How much time do you spend there? How much do you spend on entertainment and recreation in a month? In a year? What is the lifespan of a couch or recliner? How important is a comfort to you in general? You might spend a few hundred on shoes or many thousands on a car for all the reasons you shouldn’t shy away from investing in your living room furniture. It is called “the living room,” after all, and after the kitchen, it’s where all socializing happens.  

At a glance, the lower end of living room sets starts at just over a grand. Shocking, at first blush, I know- at least to someone like myself who was raised in pretty lean surroundings. We had to rely on free and used furnishings out of necessity, though the hardscrabble mentality persisted long after I could have afforded better. Even my friends who grew up a little more well off seem afflicted with an aversion to spending any more than they have to on their furniture. It’s almost like everyone’s first place they live is furnished as cheaply as possible, and they just sort of get stuck in that rut of always looking for the least expensive, most accessible items to furnish the house. Always from thrift stores, bargain-basement showrooms, or even street side, never daring to dream of something brand new, hand selected to be perfect. 

Well, snap out of it!  

Nothing will unify your space like a set of matching furniture, and there is nothing quite like a brand new for comfort and satisfaction. Even after a few months, when the New Furniture feelings subside, you will be left with something soft, firm, and clean. Then, years later, when life has had its way, modern construction methods mean your cushions won’t be broken down, and the coverings won’t be worn through. Since people tend to wear out furniture until it is literally falling apart, by having chosen the piece carefully from a selection of thousands, it will still be in harmony with the rest of your home long after it has begun to wear down. 

Why wait until the cushions are uncomfortable, a leg has broken off, or there is actual stuffing hanging out to upgrade?  After all, you only have one living room, and it’s where you settle your bones at the end of the day. Make sure you’re picking not just the cheap but quality, too.