7 interior design trends for 2024

I can’t believe we’re already discussing 2024 trends, but 2023 is going to come to an end in the next couple of months, and what a fast year it’s been.

Similar to the fashion scene, interior design gets caught up in a trend whirlwind. Think about TikTok and Instagram, buzzing with various design styles that suddenly become hot again, such as mid-century modern furniture or the charming ‘Cottagecore’ table setups. It’s tough to distinguish what will stand the test of time from what’s just a fleeting craze. Plus, predicting the next big thing? That’s a puzzle in itself.

Let’s dive into some interior design trends I’m anticipating for 2024 so you can keep your style ahead of the game.

1. Relaxed Maximalism

Gone are the days of obsessing over unattainable minimalism. Let’s be honest, most of us have far too much clutter to make that particular look work, plus I quite like decorating surfaces with photos and other home decor items.

In 2024, you can expect to move away from the stark, empty spaces that ruled the past decade. It’s all about embracing patterns, stacking books, showcasing open shelves, and creating gallery walls. It’s not about chaos; it’s about making a space feel cosy, functional, and full of character.

Maximalism extends past furniture and decor and can be incorporated through your choice of colour and pattern on the walls. Don’t just pick one wallpaper pattern, but choose two that you can use on different walls. Paint your ceiling a bright colour to clash with your walls. With maximalism, your creativity is literally endless.

One of my favourite Instagram accounts to follow is Tara from Our Layered Home. Her house is true DIY maximalism and she’s a joy to follow as well!

Tara's perfect example of maximalism in her living room — Tara, @OurLayeredHome

2. Scandinavian Charm

Our love affair with Scandinavian design, especially from places like Copenhagen, is stronger than ever.

Scandinavian home decor design, often referred to as Scandinavian style or Nordic design, originated in the mid-20th century in the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

A modern but minimalist Scandi dining room with white walls and floors and a wood table

This design style is known for its simplicity, functionality, and minimalism (so yes, I’ve contradicted myself already). Think clean lines and neutral colours (often accompanied with natural materials, such as wood, stone and leather).

Scandi furniture tends to be highly functional as well as aesthetically pleasing, with one item serving multiple purposes.

The Nords also invented ‘hygge‘, a trend that is still beloved and not disappearing any time soon. It is a Danish term that roughly translates to a feeling of cosiness and contentment. Achieving a sense of hygge is an essential aspect of Scandinavian design, focusing on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the home.

A Scandi living room with Scandi sofa, wood flooring and white walls

This classic trend could make your home look like you won the lottery without going over the top.

3. Japanese Wabi-Sabi

Japanese Wabi-Sabi never truly went out of style, but it’s making a big comeback lately.

Japanese Wabi-Sabi is a philosophy embracing the acceptance of imperfection, transience and the natural cycle of growth and decay. It finds beauty in simplicity, asymmetry, and the patina that time and wear leave on objects and environments. Wabi-Sabi values authenticity, highlighting the uniqueness of each object and the beauty in its flaws. It encourages mindfulness, appreciating the present moment and finding contentment in modest, uncluttered living.

This style celebrates imperfections, simplicity, and nature’s beauty. Incorporating organic shapes and textures into your space, like unique ceramics, asymmetrical lanterns, and wood or stone furnishings, will give your home that authentic Wabi-Sabi touch.

A Wabu-Sabi style dining room — Photo credit: Wabi.asia

4. Brightly coloured feature walls

Bright colours will still be very much ‘in fashion’ for 2024, particularly as feature walls. It’s a shift away from the overwhelming all-white craze that engulfed homes in the 2010s, and we’re now rediscovering personality by adding vibrant wall colours.

Whether a single striking wall or an entire room, it’s a wonderful and budget-friendly method to infuse more character into your space.

5. Stripes

Patterns whirl through trends as swiftly as they do in the world of fashion. We’ve had our fling with gingham, and checkerboard prints have taken the spotlight. But in 2024, we predict that stripes will be the next beloved pattern everyone embraces.

Classic and versatile, stripes can visually elongate rooms, creating an illusion of height or width. Horizontal stripes bring a sense of expansiveness and airiness, while vertical ones add height and sophistication.

A moden striped hotel room with stripes on the walls — This bold room makes use of both horizonatal and vertical stripes in the same space

Bold, contrasting stripes make a statement, infusing rooms with energy and personality. Subtle, tone-on-tone stripes offer a more subdued, refined look, enhancing texture and depth. From walls and curtains to furniture and decor, stripes effortlessly blend with various styles—be it modern, coastal, or traditional.

Go big with stripes on the wall or floor, or choose softer stripes with a striped sofa or rug.

6. Funky kitchen wares

Gustaf Westman’s whimsical dinner plates and Le Creuset pots in every shade imaginable are finding their way into the kitchens of influencers and celebrities worldwide.

The era of the flawless white porcelain dinnerware is in the past. Instead, 2024 brings a surge of funky, one-of-a-kind, and handmade kitchen treasures. How about treating yourself to a stylish salt and pepper shaker pair? Or maybe some hand-painted Italian pasta bowls to add a dash of flair to your culinary adventures?

Open shelves in a kitchen with bright dishes and kitchenware on it

Should you have open shelves in your kitchen, you can show the items off and use them to add a pop of colour.

7. Sustainability

Sustainability is a trend that resonates with all of us, and it goes beyond the buy-cheap-buy-twice approach. Fast fashion is definitely on the decline. People are placing a premium on durability, aiming for materials that stand the test of time. There’s a growing desire for things that require minimal maintenance or replacement down the road.

So, when you’re making decisions about finishes or furniture, think about how you’ll feel about them in a decade or two. Ask yourself, “Will I still adore it?” Or are you merely chasing what’s current and stylish without considering your long-term relationship with that tile, table, or tap?

I often reflect on how I felt when I bought the things I already own. Did I immediately regret it, or am I still grateful for those choices? Thoughtful selections not only benefit your wallet in the long run but also the environment, as fewer items end up in landfills.

Takeaway

As we look forward to 2024, it’s clear that the design landscape is shifting. From Relaxed Maximalism to the enduring appeal of Scandinavian Charm, the return of Japanese Wabi-Sabi, and the resurgence of vibrant colours and patterns, there’s a rich tapestry of options to choose from.

As you embark on your interior design journey, you may also want to remember that you don’t have to stick to any trends if you don’t want to. It’s about creating a space that reflects who are you, and that you enjoy spending time time. Make a home that you’ll cherish for years to come and not just appreciate for the next 12 months.