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.
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?
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?
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?
Photo: Peter Oumanski
See the full story on Dwell.com: The Design Trends Our Readers Loved and Hated in 2021
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