2021 design trends for Wall Art and Prints

Although 2020 was unlike anything we could have expected, there is one thing we can rely on in 2021 – a forecast into the most popular interior design trends. Especially since we are spending a lot more time in the comfort of our own home, we want to introduce you to a world of aesthetic room decor ideas to reinvigorate your space.

Read on and allow us to forecast the biggest trends in the world of wall art and print ahead of 2021…

Pantone Colour of the Year 2021

We simply cannot begin to talk about anything interior related without a nod to one of the biggest design announcements of the season… Pantones Colour of the Year. For 2021, Pantone has gone against the grain and announced two colours as their top pick, with the intention to represent the unpredictable year we’ve experienced.

The two winners, PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, are described as two independent colours that highlight how different elements come together to support one another. Depicting the dark nature of the pandemic and the bright hope of the future, Pantone has embraced the duality of life and how it is reflected in design.

Pantone further delves into this sentimentality as a message of happiness supported by fortitude. The combination of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.

A great way to add this trend to your home is to pick, or create your own, wall art. We’ve chosen Framed Photo Prints, in black and white frame variations, and added blocks of our chosen colour as an overlay on the image. This is a simple, yet effective, way to add a splash of the Pantone trend to your home – and the nature of wall art allows you to change the contents of the frame as often as you like (or when your next favourite trend emerges!).

Fall in Love with Cottagecore

We bet you’re thinking ‘what on Earth is cottagecore!?’ Well, we’re here to introduce you to this trend that is not going anywhere anytime soon! It’s a popular aesthetic that is taking 2021 interior design trends by storm. When referring to cottagecore, it includes all things vintage, with beige and neutral tones running through your furnishings, combined with floral accessories and greenery. It has a feel of living in simpler times, being at one with nature and stripped-back pastimes, such as embroidery and handwritten letters to loved ones.

As Huffpost have summed up so well, “Cottagecore is centered around what you would imagine living in a cottage in the countryside would be like — gardening, greenery, floral prints, flowy dresses, and animals. You want to feel like you would fit in on a farm.”

Bring this countryside aesthetic into your home décor with wildlife, fields of wildflowers and sepia-inspired nature photography in Framed Prints and showcase them proudly on your wall. Get creative and design your own handwritten typography Wall Art for a simple, yet on-trend addition to your home – plus, you won’t find it on the high street!

Photograph Centrepieces

Ever since we have been able to hold prints in our hands, collaging has played a fundamental part in how we display our photos. Although it is still a valid and creative way to present your photos, getting those prints onto a wall in a stylish and modern way has become a real emerging trend.

Especially with recent events where we have been unable to see those closest to us, the importance of photo has never been more paramount. From snaps of your last family holiday, to cute, candid photos of happy smiles and big laughs, it’s time to display these moments in the comfort of your own home.

We love hexxas, as it combines this personal element with hexagonal shapes to create an aesthetic result. Plus, if you choose to add a photo per hexagon, there is room to pair with other design trends, such as a dedicated tile to cottagecore. This will elevate your finished piece and is so personal to you and your tastes – you can rest assured that it won’t be found anywhere else!

Instagram Trend: Decorative Shelves

When it comes to the ever-evolving, reactive world of design trends, Instagram is great at keeping up. Although the #shelfie tag has been a keen player on the platform for a while, with users sharing their perfectly placed shelves filled with aesthetically pleasing accessories, we’ve noticed an emerging newcomer – wall art!

Whether you decide to print an inspirational quote on a Canvas, or print a beautiful holiday photo on an Aluminium Print, place it on your chosen shelf for maximum impact. Once your main print is in place, it’s time to place items such as candles and plants around your feature. Be warned – once you create your first, you may want to do this in every room of your house!

Top Tip: This latest wall art trend is also perfect for those of us who rent – placing your wall art on a shelf means no extra damage to your walls.

Turning Trends into Prints

The beauty of being inspired by trends is that it’s up to you how you recreate them. Whether you’ve been inspired to re-vamp your gallery wall with Pantone inspired shades, or add a homage to cottagecore in your bedroom, you can rely on us to print your vision with a premium finish.

If you found yourself inspired but don’t want to commit to a large-scale re-haul, channel your ideas into a Photo Calendar or as inspiration for your CEWE PHOTOBOOK cover. It may be a stepping stone into your next creative venture!

Pro tip: Explore more calendar ideas if you're looking to turn your photos into monthly-changing wall art!