The Design Trends Our Readers Loved and Hated in 2021

Dwell readers sound off on the top trends of the past year—from glass brick and terrazzo to barn doors and beyond.

The Design Trends Our Readers Loved and Hated in 2021

Dwell readers sound off on the top trends of the past year—from glass brick and terrazzo to barn doors and beyond.

Love ’em or hate ’em, these design trends seemed to be everywhere in 2021, and in our Instagram polls, readers sounded off about which ones were worth holding on to. In our print issues, we compiled the most persuasive and pithy opinions, and we’ve gathered them all below.

People were pretty divided on most of them. What do you think? Is painted brick unfairly maligned? Is open kitchen shelving here to stay? Have your say! And if there are any trends that you see coming in the new year that you’d like to submit for a vote, let us know in the comments below.

January/February: Glass Brick

Glass brick: Modern chic or ’80s awful?

Glass brick: Modern chic or ’80s awful? 

Photo: Peter Oumanski

Reminds me of a gym shower. @ALIG871 

They’re a great way to increase natural light in a space. @LOGAN.SCT

Literally my least favorite material. @PARKINPERSPECTIVE 

Dislike. Immediately think of Legos. @LAURIE_NATURALLY_ 

Love it. It’s shiny but subtle and works with modern decor. @DOUBLE.PERSPECTIVE.PHOTO 

Lets in light, but it’s also private. @GIRLINAPTB 

Interesting for offices, truly ugly for a house. @W.CALHOUN 

Love for a full wall, hate for a closed window! @FRANCOISROUZIOUX 

I’d much rather have a wall of glass bricks than a wall of mortar. @MARICA_LEASK 

Like the idea, but dislike it in many actual designs. @JONTHNQUININ 

Beautiful but $$$. @MAJIDABOGA 

Love it because it is so open. It brings the outside in and inside out. @PSTEGINK

Looks dated, not timeless. @MATT.BOSTWICK 

Love. It’s modern. @WANTEDDESIGN 

52% Love

48% Hate

March/April: Open Shelving

Open shelving: Next level or clutter incarnate?

Open shelving: Next level or clutter incarnate?

Photo: Peter Oumanski

Convenient, easy to organize. @RUDYSPECTIVE

 Greasy dirt catcher. @BELLSPELL

Opens the space and allows more light. @TESSMIX

Curating a kitchen with your glassware and ceramics is part of the beauty! @MCKENZIEXCANADAY 

Love it in moderation. It doesn’t work for everything, but it’s awesome for the things you use all the time. @MERISSAREED.DESIGNS 

It’s beautiful and forces us not to be messy hoarders! @ESPERBS 

I don’t want to have to think about how attractively organized my kitchen things are. @MICHELLANNELI 

Only works when you have tons of storage space somewhere else. @MECHICAV 

Too time-consuming. @AMYBUTLER.RVA 

It brings out my inner minimalist. And I love her. @KOAKLEY1122 

With kids and family, it’s hard to keep it organized. If I lived alone, I would consider it. @SUSANA.CS 

It looks modern if you know how to do it. @ROBLEARTE 

Dust. Cats. Dusty cats. @MOSTLYBEARDY 

61% Love

39% Hate

May/June: Barn Doors

Barn doors: Is it time to put the barn door out to pasture?

Barn doors: Is it time to put the barn door out to pasture?

Photo: Peter Oumanski

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