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?
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
I love the idea of a sliding door, but why does it have to be a barn door? @ANNAVARGHESE215
It feels overly trendy, and we are on the decline side of that trend. @CURTDEWBRE
Love. It’s a feature, a space saver, and a compositional element. @PJ_SCHAEFER
They don’t block noise, and light leaks, especially with hardwood flooring. @JUST.SUPERNOVA
It doesn’t take up space swinging into the room and also adds a focal point. @SUNSOWN
It adds so much character to what would typically be a blank wall and enhances a doorway. @EM_NORK
Barn doors belong in a barn. Bring back the pocket door. So elegant if done right. @ARTWILLIA
Adds texture to a room. Versatility as well! @AYEARIKARI
They’re unstable and often poorly executed. @TINACIOUSZ
Not enough privacy. Also robs you of wall space to hang art. @SHOTBYSTEPHENJAMES
The door itself can be a work of art. @KAISER_ATX
I don’t want to live like I’m in a barn. I’m not a farm animal. @FANCYCLAIR
52% Love
48% Hate
July/August: Painted Brick
Painted brick: Splashy statement or all washed up?
Photo: Peter Oumanski
Easier to clean. @BOSTONTWO
Painted brick is like painting hardwood. You cover up its unique character. @NORDLYSLODGINGCO
I like the pop of unexpected color combined with the brick texture. It’s visually interesting. @PROPERVILLAIN9
What, do I live in a firehouse? Yuck. @HCALB
Patina on brick is the best part. Why cover it up? @FRANKLEZBLEU
Reminds me of 1965. @NORTHFORKNICCI
Reminds me of when a frat house would "freshen up" before parents’ weekend... @ALSELS
This is a beautiful way to highlight brick that is otherwise drab and dated looking! @737PILOTMIKE
It’s tacky, and I hate it. @LYTTLEBIRDIE
Sometimes brick just isn’t pretty, and people get stuck on preserving it rather than enjoying it. @FRANK_AND_OLLIE
Reminds me of Grandma’s basement. @SHEENANAGAINS
So fun! Don’t listen to these Debbie Downers. @EASTFACINGCONDO
I spoke to Brick. It says, "I don’t like it." @_ANDYWILKINSON
43% Love
57% Hate
September/October: Terrazzo
Terrazzo: Always stylish or already overdone?
Photo: Peter Oumanski
It’s a classic! Cool underfoot and a breeze to clean. @MIALASSDEA
Looks cheap. May as well just have lino. @GEARETAL
I think it’s a great way to reuse materials. @RENAMCCLINTOCK
Too busy. @DWELLULO
I think it’s beautiful, but I know it will feel dated (again) in a few more years. @ALEXROTEN
It’s a classic that should stay, like subway tiles, concrete, midcentury furniture, etc. @DJOUGOULET
Classic on the floor! But terrazzo mugs? Candle holders? Planters? Overdone. @KRISTI_STO
It’s on the tail end of the trend. When it’s in McDonald’s remodels, you know it’s over. @HARDGOODSCO
Growing up in Miami, it seemed to be everywhere. It brings back some really good memories. @THEBULLFIGHTER
It’s timeless and gorgeous. And in the deep South it’s cool underfoot. @BETHEMOO
Easily pulls in many colors to a space and adds texture without looking overdone. @MISSYDUTTON
78% Love
22% Hate
November/December: Layering Rugs
Layering rugs: Piles of personality or just too much?
Photo: Peter Oumanski
Adds character to a room. @IRMAQUEIROS
Looks chaotic, and I don’t want an uneven surface for furniture. @LAAROJ
Trip hazard! @MAMMASAN4
Good for acoustics and adds layers to a room, particularly if there isn’t much other decor. @URBANDEN ARCHITECTS
It’s just like adding a scarf over your sweater and having a great jacket to finish it off. @STEPHENCALEBED
Too 1960. @ORIANA2249
The bottom rug will get dirty, and its color will fade only on exposed areas. @FOREVERATHLETIC
I have crappy apartment carpet. Layering throw rugs allows me to cover more of it. @CPAIGEREAM
Adds texture and color. Feels boho. @KIMBERLYKMGOLDFARB
Unrealistically expensive. @_ZAP
Not functional for life with kids/dogs/high foot traffic. @HAUTEXHIPPIE
Wack. @ALYXMJ
41% Love
59% Hate
More Best of 2021 Stories:
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