Home Decor Ideas: The Home Goods That Have Been Flying Off Shelves in 2021

In 2020 and 2021, we all stayed in our homes more than ever—and, as a result, we spent more time shopping for them. Stores across the United States saw a double, and in some cases triple, digit rise in home goods sales. Makes sense: houses and apartments used to be a place where we spent a fraction of our lives, then suddenly they became our place for work, relaxation, and safe socialization. Upgrades were needed—and well, appreciated. “The uncertainty and fatigue of the last year and its continued effects made real things so comforting, so meaningful,” muses Robin Standefer, founder of RW Guild in New York City.

Then there’s the influence of the ongoing pandemic real-estate boom: as people snap up places to, well, shelter-in-place, they suddenly find themselves with rooms to fill.

But what, exactly, have people been buying? We decided to ask several retailers, big and small, what products are flying off their shelves.

Some common home decor trends arose: comfort is paramount, as is sprucing up outdoor spaces for safe summer gatherings. Mirrors continue to trend. People also want to discover and have fun with their own interior style: “We’re seeing customers overwhelmingly engage with some of our most unique products as people reimagine their spaces, move to new homes, or simply continue to add curated pieces into their personal collections,” Sara Khodja, CB2 Product Development Lead, tells Vogue.

Below, the home decor trends—and items—that are more popular than ever.

This summer we all experienced a sigh of relief and enjoyed the outside with more pleasure, more friends, and more entertainment and it showed in what people were collecting. We experienced people coming to Guild from everywhere and they were just mad for handmade dishes, glassware and linens in particular, but it did not stop there. Ceramics at every scale were part of a constant conversation. Tables, chairs, you name it. . . dining was at the center of the discussion. -Robin Standefer, founder of RW Guild

“Customers are going crazy for our beds, especially in patterns and fun colors. From kids rooms to guest rooms to master bedroom suites, America is decorating and focusing on the centerpiece of the bedroom.” -Danielle Walish, co-founder and Creative Director of The Inside

“We have sold our oil-burning table lamps like crazy. They are perfect for outdoor entertaining—casting a flattering glow over any table, anywhere. The hand pleated silk shades in wild colors are dressy and festive. Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean everything has to be drab and woven!” -Rebecca Gardner, founder of Houses and Parties

“Rising interest in wall mirrors is also a reflection, so to speak, of this seasonal movement toward light and bright interiors. Ettore Sottsass’s squiggly Ultrafrangola mirror, in bang-bang pink and in subtler white, continues to trend, since it doubles as a mirror and a work of art. The same could be said for the figurative Sea Girl and Lipsticks mirrors designed for Seletti by the artist-pranksters behind Toiletpaper magazine. Less outré, but just as sculptural, are Gio Ponti’s F.A. 33, which is popular in various sizes and finishes, and Zieta’s organic-minimalist Tafla mirror made from polished stainless steel.” -Anthony Barzilay Freund, 1stDibs Editorial Director and Director of Fine Art

“Our customers are loving the couches that allow them to build out a cozy space where they can gather with their families. Modular and casual and comfortable are the elements resonating right now.” -Cathy David, Chief Merchandising Officer of World Market

“This season, the high sales of items like our Nouveau Floor Mirror, Pavo Black Marble Double Floor Lamp and our surprising, or maybe not so surprising, Eva Bust range from objects of utility to pure indulgence, all with a bit of flair.” -Sara Khodja, Product Development Lead of CB2

“The beloved Bucket Stool collection designed by Yvonne Mouser in Oakland, CA and handmade by the Amish in Pennsylvania are so often rented or bought on ZZ Driggs, and for good reason. It’s a collection with much utility, yet innately meant for transport, making it so fitting for this state of flux we all seem to be experiencing.” -Whitney Frances Falk, Founder & CEO of ZZ Driggs

“What we have seen over the course of the past year is a coalescing of demand for products that pull you towards nature—whether that be a natural material or one that is manmade, but mimics the original. You see this in our Herbie Accent Table, constructed of a cement composite base material with an applied finish that recreates the appearance of green onyx, or our Harleen Table Lamp, which uses a cast marble composite in place of carved marble, making the piece lighter in weight while maintaining the allure of natural stone.” –Terry Clayton, SVP of Sales and Marketing for Arteriors

Work from home products have been hugely in-demand for Feather customers since the start of the pandemic, and the trend hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. Customers love the sleekness and functionality of this desk, as well as the ability to switch up their space every now and then while they’re spending more time working at home. -Kendra Ovesen, Vice President of Merchandising for Feather

“With everything going on, barware was an absolute essential this summer. Artel’s Jungle pattern is a perennial bestseller, and it’s been especially successful in this unexpected ‘mix and match’ set.”-Anna Brockway, co-founder and President of Chairish

“Collections like Paul McCobb are also resonating with our customers, from the vintage connoisseurs to new enthusiasts alike. The reimagined pieces showcase our modern expression of mid-century legend’s design.” -Sara Khodja, CB2

This summer, our shoppers seem to be saying, ‘Let there be light!’ Sales of sconces, table lamps and pendant lights are all up this season. And many of these fixtures, like Studio Dunn’s Linden lamp, have white finishes, which brighten up the mood even further. -Anthony Barzilay Freund, 1stDibs 

“Since this was the summer of outdoor gatherings, we weren’t surprised to see huge interest in outdoor games and entertaining pieces. This set takes the family favorite game of cornhole and makes it fashion.” Anna Brockway, Chairish