A look at what will trend in 2021.
Pinterest recently released its seventh annual Pinterest Predicts report, providing a look into what people around the world have been searching for in 2020 and what it could mean for trends in travel, health and wellbeing, beauty, home décor, special events, parenting, fashion, food and beverage, finance and hobbies in 2021.
As Pinterest’s Head of Content and Editorial Partnerships Aya Kanai and Head of Core Research Larkin Brown explained, the “not-yet-trending” report and its coordinating boards are based on the kinds of visual content being pinned by more than 400 million Pinterest users, called Pinners, to over five billion boards. With at least 240 billion pins saved worldwide, a whopping 95% of people say they’ve used Pinterest as a source of inspiration and motivation to help get them through these uncertain times as well as a place to plan future trips. Here’s what Pinterest predicts for travel in 2021 and a look at some of its other soon-to-be trends.
People will continue to plan future travels
Just because we can’t travel as freely right now doesn’t mean it will be like this forever. Now is the time to plan the epic vacations we’ll take later, and Pinterest users agree, with the report showing a 50% increase in searches for luxury vacation ideas, a 55% rise in searches for romantic honeymoon destinations, a 35% uptick in searches for mountain travel and seven times as many searches as usual for dream vacations. A 100% rise in searches for forest resorts also indicates people will prefer trips to less-crowded places as we head into 2021.
Road trips to the great outdoors will remain popular
As the report says, “Nomadding is the new jetsetting,” with trips to more isolated and natural settings continuing to be a trend in 2021. With socially distant outdoor activities like hiking, RV camping and stargazing becoming more popular this year, we can look forward to seeing more national park road trips and cabin-in-the-woods rentals next year, especially with a growing interest in #vanlife and digital nomad adventures as companies and schools continue to allow remote working and learning. Pinterest also saw a 165% increase in searches for stargazing and wild flower fields, while other search terms including motorcycle tents, nomad aesthetic and RV accessories saw an increase of 100%, 80% and 40%, respectively.
Cars will be used for more than just driving
Pinterest reports double the amount of searches for the search term car date night, an 190% increase in searches for drive-in cinema, and an 115% hike in searches for car man cave, showing that people are turning to their vehicles for other things besides driving. A 60% rise in searches for car survival kits and a 100% increase in searches for dog car seats shows people are also interested in road trips with the whole family in tow, including their fur babies.
Recipes will be based on international favorites
Searches for tomatillo enchilada sauce, Cajun chicken pasta and hot honey recipes rose by 75%, 55% and 155%, respectively, while Pinterest saw double the usual amount of searches for jalapeño pepper jelly and a 70% increase in searches for Poke bowl sauce, meaning Pinners are taking the time to try spicier flavors and cook a wide range of international dishes. They’re also attempting fancier gourmet meals featuring expert-looking plating and garnishes as well as experimenting with specially made charcuterie boards for breakfast, dessert and brunch.
Hobbies will be inspired by international activities
If you can’t travel the world, why not bring the world to you? Pinterest reports an increase in searches for global-inspired hobbies like ancient Egyptian architecture and Jyotish astrology and arts and crafts projects like Irish quilting patterns, Japanese carpentry, and Persian calligraphy art. There’s also been a rise in searches for crochet basics, aesthetic embroidery, bottle painting, leatherworking, glass etching, candle making and other hands-on activities.
Comfort and coziness will reign supreme
In terms of fashion, a new trend called “athflow,” meant to combine “athleisure” and elegance, has been making an appearance in Pinterest searches, with people seeking flowy pants, oversized outfits and jumpsuits that can be worn everywhere from the office to the yoga mat. Trends in coziness include shawls, puffy jackets, quilted clothing, slouchy socks and other “cocoon” wear, while customized, personalized clothing remains a hot topic for Generation Z Pinners.
People will keep it simple or own their own style
There seem to be two distinct camps when it comes to beauty trends on Pinterest: those who are taking advantage of these pandemic times to tone down their make-up and aim for a more natural, healthy glow and those who go all out with bold and colorful make-up, statement-making eyebrows, complicated braids and emoji-inspired nail designs.
Other Pinterest Predictions
According to Pinterest’s report, fancy wallpaper for your cell phone and laptop will be a top trend as people lean toward more individualized stylings to match their décor. Because of the pandemic, event planning will stick to the basics, with low-key wedding ideas and desert elopements continuing to be big in 2021. Other trends—using Pinterest to grow your business, teach your kids from home, learn about mindfulness as a family and choose alternate pets like lizards, snails, chameleons, frogs and tortoises—saw a rise in searches in 2020, as did topics related to neon home lighting, minimalist décor designs and maximizing space around the house. Searches for modern mysticism, spiritualism, ritual cleansing baths and sleep-inducing bedtime routines are also on the rise as people continue to invest in their mental wellbeing and make sure they get enough rest.