As the concerns and anxieties related to the pandemic gradually subside while economic uncertainties persist, the focus on home design in 2024 is expected to shift. The recent years prompted individuals to reevaluate their living spaces, confronting past design decisions and navigating the blurred lines between work and home during lockdowns. Now, with a sense of settling into familiar routines, the upcoming home design trends for the year aim to address both personal and global considerations.
Gemma Riberti, head of interiors at WGSN, emphasizes the importance of meaningful design in light of the prevailing uncertainty and a priority on the cost of living. The trends are anticipated to go beyond mere aesthetics, offering engagement and value in the products and spaces people interact with.
The theme of the January 2024 edition of Maison&Objet, titled “Take Care!”, aligns with this perspective. The concept reflects consumers’ increasing interest in the origins of products, manufacturing methods, and the commitments of companies. Additionally, it emphasizes the idea of taking care of oneself and others, showcasing a renewed focus on wellness, natural materials, and rejuvenating experiences. According to Caroline Biros, the communications director of the fair, design in the current year is committed to preserving the beauty of living on earth.
WARM ’90S NEUTRALS RETURN.
Step aside, cool neutrals—2024 is ushering in the return of beige, brown, and cream, evoking a nostalgic nod to the ’90s. The era of the beloved gray tones of the past decade is making way for softer, warmer hues, marking a significant shift in color preferences. Farrow & Ball’s color curator, Joa Studholme, notes the move away from the harder gray tones, emphasizing a trend towards colors that feel kinder and more inviting.
This departure from cool neutrals aligns with the results of a survey conducted by 1stDibs, where 880 interior designers participated. In their sixth annual trends survey, light gray received the fewest votes, indicating a clear shift in color preferences.
The change in color trends is not only a response to aesthetic shifts but also reflects the post-pandemic emotional state and considerations about the future. Gemma Riberti, from WGSN, suggests that investing in versatile and comforting neutrals is a practical choice, considering the uncertain financial landscape. Studholme sees the choice of neutrals as a reflection of the desire to capture peace and optimism, creating spaces that exude warmth and a sense of well-being in our homes.
RAW, NATURAL MATERIALS REIGN.
The prevalence of dramatic, colorful marble is a well-known phenomenon, signaling a broader trend that emphasizes the “natural qualities of materials, stripped of all synthetics,” according to Tina Schnabel, an interior designer at BarlisWedlick. This trend falls under the umbrella of “hyper-texturality,” a term coined by Gemma Riberti, signaling a heightened emphasis on exaggerated veinings and textures in materials like marble, stone, and wood. The trend is characterized by a stronger focus on high-contrast and high-pattern grains, showcasing a deliberate move towards more pronounced and textured surfaces in interior design.
SUSTAINABILITY HAS STAYING POWER.
Sustainability remains a top design trend in 2024, with a heightened focus on earth-friendly practices extending across various aspects of design. According to 1stDibs, this trend is not only prevalent in interior decor but also extends to objets d’art and even gardens. Renowned designer Kelly Wearstler, while working on her new online gallery, observes an evolution in sustainability and the natural world, manifesting in both emerging and established artists’ works. Additionally, Pinterest’s 2024 predictions report notes an increase in searches for sustainable gardening solutions such as “harvesting rainwater” and “drought-tolerant landscapes,” indicating a growing interest in eco-friendly practices in outdoor spaces.
MAXIMALISM, BUT MAKE IT MODERN.
The maximalist “grandmillennial” style continues to thrive, but in 2024, there’s a shift towards more layered, streamlined, and sculptural silhouettes rather than a reliance on prints and patterns. Enis Karavil, the creative director of Sanayi313 Architects, notes a move away from stark minimalism towards a more expressive approach to interiors. The emphasis is on creating spaces built around valuable works of art and collectible objects. Designers are specifically recommending investments in sculptures over other types of art, as revealed by insights from 1stDibs.
Colin King, an interiors stylist and product designer, acknowledges this return to maximalism. While his personal spaces may lean towards minimalism, his professional work for editorial and retail brands involves incorporating more layers. King focuses on arranging objects with complementing forms, similar colors, or materials, using varying heights to create compositions that feel dynamic and evoke a sense of life.
GREEN WILL BE THE ACCENT COLOR OF CHOICE.
Green is set to dominate interior spaces, with its presence extending from flooring to furniture. ELLE DECOR editors have observed the emergence of grassy flooring in homes spanning from Paris to Woodstock. At the latest High Point Furniture Market, furniture adorned in leafy hues took center stage. Joa Studholme from Farrow & Ball notes the rising popularity of the paint company’s deep moody greens, specifically mentioning Green Smoke and the perennial favorite Studio Green. In 1stDibs’ designer survey, emerald secured the top spot for the third consecutive year, with sage as the runner-up, indicating the enduring appeal of green tones in interior design.
HAND-FORMED TEXTURES TAKE HOLD.
In tandem with the sustained interest in sustainability, there’s a growing emphasis on handmade artisan goods, indicating a broader trend toward design with global impact. A majority of designers interviewed by 1stDibs expressed their intention to source work from artisan makers in the coming year. The celebration of artisanality is underscored by the significance of hand-formed textures, with materials like clay playing a key role. Gemma Riberti highlights papier-mâché as a medium that will gain prominence, given its lightweight nature, relative affordability, and low energy consumption. This versatile material is finding applications in various items, from lighting and decor such as vases, mirror frames, and table lamps to furniture, exemplified by the work of designers like Polina Miliou.
A MOVE TOWARD TRANSPARENT TOUCHES.
Anticipate an ethereal revolution in the fashion landscape throughout 2024. According to Pinterest experts, lace, tulle, ruffles, and shimmer will dominate the fashion scene. Maison&Objet echoes this sentiment, showcasing the transparent trend with new objects characterized by an airy and lightly tinted design. This trend aims to create a sense of liberation, allowing space for movement, escapism, and daydreaming. TikTok designers are also embracing transparency, with Briellyn Turton predicting a surge in glass brick usage, and Design Daddy, in a highly liked video, suggesting alabaster lighting as the next big thing.
HOLDING ONTO HISTORY.
The “hipstoric home trend” is gaining traction, as identified by Pinterest, with both Boomers and Gen Z seeking innovative ways to honor vintage and inherited pieces in their homes. Gemma Riberti emphasizes the importance of comfort in this trend, focusing on reassurance, familiarity, and a feel-good aspect associated with vintage items. Riberti predicts a unique approach to revitalizing old furniture in 2024—using sweaters. This trend involves bringing new life to existing furniture and fixtures through the addition of textiles and knits, offering a cost-effective way to refresh the home. The concept is akin to yarn bombing, but within the domestic space, and only time will reveal the extent of its adoption.
