Top Fabric Trends for 2021
Posted: Feb 09 2021
After months of spending most of our time at home, the key fabric trends for 2021 are driven by our desire to create a cocooning retreat at home that's comfy as well as practical.
The latest textiles offer a natural look filled with raw materials, organic textures, and craftsmanship such as mark marking and weaving.
(Image: Ardecora Movimento for Z&R)
There are dreamy abstract landscape patterns in soft shades designed to soothe us, as well as plaids, florals and twentieth century geometric designs that prompt our nostalgia for happier times.
Alongside this natural look, there's the continuing maximalist approach of bold, dramatic florals, dark tones and glamorous velvets.
These fabrics are increasingly created with the environment in mind - whether using all-natural materials, or creating something new from recycled components, they're designed to be super-durable and versatile in the home.
Whatever the trend you choose, 2021 is about self-expression and making the most of the space you have!
1. Natural Textures & Raw Weaves
Natural textures are everywhere, from soft furnishings, to upholstery and flooring as we seek to create a comfortable, cocooning retreat at home.
Knobbly boucle, deep pile wool and sheepskin are becoming year round staples rather than winter "Hygge" novelties.
(Image: Kristen Giorgi via Instagram)
Smart and inviting, these timeless fabrics feature in warm calming neutrals - from hues of stone to clay and terracotta - and can be used in all areas of the home paired with organic furniture in rattan, bamboo, wood and pottery.
Osborne & Little's new Surf boucle is available in a range of on-trend colours and is ideal for hard-wearing upholstery:
(Image: O&L Surf)
Over at Designers Guild the new Moselle collection includes wool blends designed to be soft, cosy and ultra durable in use. Take Charallois which would be perfect for snuggly cushions!
(Image: Designers Guild Charallois)
Designers Guild Mousson is a deep pile wool blend with the texture of sheepskin - gorgeous on a cosy reading spot.
(Image: Designers Guild Mousson)
And at Linwood, the new Lana recycled melange wool is perfect on furniture, curtains and tailored roman blinds.
Cool in summer and warm in winter, wool suits both contemporary and classic room schemes.
(Image: Linwood Lana)
Linens in neutral colours continue to be popular offering a relaxed and calm look in a living room or bedroom.
Durable and natural, linen is perfect for plump sofas, padded headboards and soft interlined "puddled" curtains. Time to hunker down...
(Image: Remodalista)
Finally, within this trend are chunky hopsack fabrics. Osborne & Little's new Ocean Weaves are made from recycled bottles with a donation going to an ocean conservation charity. Versatile for upholstery, curtains and blinds - and good for the environment!
(Image: O&L Ocean Weaves)
2. The Artist’s Mark
This trend brings authenticity and style to today's interiors with its emphasis on the artisan at work.
From loose, experimental brushstrokes and ink washes, to tie-dye and block printing, these often monochromatic textiles recall Japanese ink paintings and ceramics.
At Osborne & Little the design team imprinted different weave textures into rolled out clay to create interesting embossed textures, as well as folding paper to create geometric shapes. These patterns together with inky abstract daubs formed their new indigo Kanabo collection.
(Image: O&L Kanoko collection)
At Christopher Farr Cloth their textile designs continue to be hand- and screen-printed with pigments at a family printers in the UK.
(Image: Christopher Farr Cloth)
From the many archival designs they've reimagined in different colourways, their bestseller remains "Carnival" by Michael Szell from the 1970s. The design is still hand-printed on linen by the print house who worked with Szell, and each colourway uses just 4 pigments.
(Image: Firmdale Hotels)
3. Impressionism
Akin to the trend for inky mark-making is the use of impressionistic abstract motifs and designs resembling misty landscapes and cityscapes.
This trend is central to Harlequin's new Momentum 14 fabric collection which features designs reminiscent of long exposure photography and the painterly play of light and shade within photography.
(Image: Harlequin Momentum 14)
4. Country Nostalgia
A desire for historical patterns, plaids, checks and chintzy florals continues to be a strong trend as we crave the outdoors and rural living.
For those who love the classic flora and fauna designs of William Morris, consider the recent Ben Pentreath Queen Square collection for Morris & Co which provides a fresh and invigorating take on the familiar patterns we grew up with.
From a joyful burnt orange version of the 1882 "Brer Rabbit" pattern to a vibrant turquoise take on "Willow Bough" this is nostalgia for now!
(Image: Ben Portreath x Morris & Co Queen Square Collection)
By way of contrast, simple plaids, ginghams and checks are also a nod to the nostalgia trend and create a feeling of domestic simplicity in any room.
(Image: Romo Elmer checks & stripes)
5. Bold Geometrics
Many of us have embraced plain neutrals and greys for so long that we have become rather scared of using pattern. But enforced time at home is making us more confident and we want more visually interesting spaces.
Pattern adds energy to a room but you don’t have to go overboard covering every surface. Plain painted walls provide a calm backdrop to furniture upholstered in a striking design with geometric prints and '80s inspired graphics trending right now.
(Image: Harlequin Pythagorum velvet)
6. Bold Florals
The trend for dark, moody interiors continues as we seek a more personal and eclectic look.
Exuberant floral prints in lush colour combinations are central to this trend, whether it's small scale wild flowers for a new spin on chintz, or large heritage blooms for an air of faded grandeur.
At Designers Guild, the new Delft Noir printed velvet highlights this trend, with the vivid blooms floating above a dark background reminiscent of 17th Century Dutch still life paintings. Go bold with curtains or dip your toe into the trend with scatter cushions!
(Image: Designers Guild Delft Noir)
All of the featured fabrics are available from us along with the collections from other top fabric houses including Z&R, Etamine, Nina Campbell, Romo and Chase Erwin.
If you would like to discuss your upcoming interiors scheme, and are interested in hand-finished, made-to-measure curtains, blinds, soft furnishings or upholstery, please don't hesitate to get in touch here.
