Being stuck inside our homes in 2020 was a challenging experience for us all. However, the new year brings a wave of home decor creativity as we reinvent our homes to fit our changing lifestyles.

We now look towards new, imaginative living room decor trends to accommodate our transformed lives.

Prior to pandemic life, our living spaces did not anticipate self-isolated dance parties, or long hours of working on our couches. As a result, we are readapting our home and living room decor to match our different needs through the day.

1. “Grandmillenial home decor”

Uncertain times are urging a certain sense of nostalgia and need for stability in our homes. Nicknamed “granny chic”, this trend creates space for bold, highly-detailed design or floral wallpaper into home decor.

How to incorporate the Grandmillenial style into living room decor or bedroom wall art?

This is the time for you to whip out odd quirky antiques finds from the thrift store.

Think delicate china, DIY wallpaper, or busy-patterned large wall art. These options are easy on the pocket, as these items can be found in flea markets and are usually sturdy and well-made.

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If you’re in an open-space home, colorful large wall art or large throws in the entertainment area can help add a sense of separation through your living room decor.

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Try to pick a space where the colors will not be overwhelming, like in living room decor instead of bedroom decor.

Source: Amanda Reynal, Elle Decor.

Bold, highly detailed wallpapers and saturated tones, she says, will help “show how our spaces represent who we are,” -Alexa Backal, head of design at Mexico City-based brand Casai via Architectural Digest

2. Brighten up your space by decorating with plants

If you’re a plant mom/dad who recently got into decorating with plants, you are not alone. Plants fulfill our connection to the outdoors, are therapeutic and life-affirming as we get to care for them.

“Indoor trees and plants are going to continue their ascent into home design mainstay. They freshen indoor air, bring the clarity and calm of nature indoors, act like sculpture on a shelf or table top, and caring for them is grounding and life-affirming. Developing a collection of interior plants wins on all levels: Aesthetic, functional and mental.” — Emilie Munroe via Good Housekeeping

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How does decorating with plants work in smaller spaces?

Plants add wonderful aesthetics, but actual physical space can be a matter of concern. Windows, walls, and shelves can be your savior. (Although I know we all want that beautiful Monstera plant!)

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If you still want to incorporate some green into your home decor, edible gardens are here for you!

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You can perch these babies on a sunny window, or on shelves in your kitchen. Mini herb gardens can provide you with fresh basil leaves for pasta, or mint for lemonades to share with your roommates.

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Edible gardens combine decorating with plants with benefits for your belly too!

Related: Your Guide to Growing Your Own Kitchen Garden

3. A neutral color scheme + pops of color

As we are spending more and more time at home, we are looking for ways to section off our homes to accommodate home offices, or working from home with multiple roommates.

Pantone declared “gray and illuminating” as the color trend for 2021, indicating a move towards brighter, optimistic times.

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With a vaccine around the corner and Trump out of office: a bright yellow or pastel couch is the answer to what will suit your lively living room decor and your mood.

“The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to symbolize thoughts and ideas, many designers and brands are embracing the language of color to engage and connect.” — Pantone Color Institute’s Laurie Pressman

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Bright colors introduce a sense of hope and revival in us, and balancing it out with neutral tones helps maintain a sense of calm in the home decor.

CREDIT: PHOTO: LAUREY W. GLENN, ROBBIE CAPONETTO via Southern Living

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If bright shades aren’t your vibe, you can still create contrast in living room decor using dark/black cabinets or large wall art to make the area stand out.

4. Comfy chic living room decor

In the “organic” trend of 2021, “biomimicry” is in. This is a home decor design trend that imitates uses, forms, colors, and more that are found in nature, according to Architectural digest.

A combination of man and nature, this aesthetic can be accomplished by decorating with plants, or generally choosing lighter woods and soft “plush” furniture.

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“Because many of us are working and learning from home, bringing in natural materials like marble, wood, and caning can create a sense of calmness in our personal spaces.” – Kelley Carter, Home Fashion Director, Bloomingdale’s via ElleDecor

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Related: Working From Home? Here’s How You Can Separate ‘Home’ And ‘Work’

5. Neon bedroom wall art

We can blame Gen Z for bringing back Neon bedroom wall art. Tiktok dances have created the need for snazzy backgrounds that include large wall art or neon-colored lighting to add that 80s retro feel.

Pinterest searches for “neon room” have increased eight times, while the search for “LED light signs” has increased three times. The statistics don’t lie, and soft, glowy bedroom wall art is certainly all the rage in 2021.