2024
Design Trends R E A L
E S T A T E
Don’t just take our word for it; our team read dozens of articles, blogs, and write-ups on what 2024 will bring by way of real estate design trends. Here we have included the trends that appeared multiple times from various designers and experts and those that we could not stop talking about during our research period. While these views may not necessarily reflect the views of RLAH @properties, we feel it is important for us to have heightened knowledge in the subject as lifestyle advisors and marketing experts. Reach out to us for a resale opinion or to brag about your next real estate design project.
Sources: Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, Business Insider, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Nicole Bozzani, Nick Lewis Design, Real Simple, Reggio Registers, Rooh For Spaces, Southern Living, The Spruce, Veranda, Vogue, Wall Street Journal Image Credits on each page, no copyright infringement is intended.
"Design will be heavy on materiality: layering stones with textiles, different furniture pieces in varying silhouettes, and lots of vintage pieces, which all make spaces feel collected rather than catalog-perfect." - CATHIE HONG Apartment Therapy
PANTONE
Color of the Year 2024:
Peach Fuzz
B EN JAMIN MOORE Color of the Year 2024:
Blue Nova
SHERWIN W ILLIAMS Color of the Year 2024:
Upward
Curves
This shift in aesthetics is evident in various aspects of interior design, from furnishings to architectural elements. Designers like Liu and Hollis emphasize the prevalence of scalloped details in furniture, mirrors, and upholstery. The appeal of curvaceous forms is undeniable, with interior designer Joshua Smith predicting that the trend will reach its peak this year. Jennifer Verruto of Blythe Interiors highlights the inviting nature of rounded shapes, with arched vanity mirrors adding a touch of sophistication to home decor. Meghan Cates also observes a shift towards organic and fluid shapes in furniture, lighting, and cabinetry, emphasizing the trend’s connection to creating cozy and intimate spaces. This love for curves extends beyond furniture, as Stacey predicts their integration into architectural elements like archways, hallways, and shower entries. In 2024, the design world continues to find inspiration in the soothing, organic lines that nature effortlessly provides, making homes more welcoming and harmonious. Image Credits: Unsplash
Dynamic Range Hoods Range hood vent covers are no longer an afterthought but a prominent focus in kitchen design. Anticipate bold and eye-catching designs that incorporate unique textures such as plaster or wood fluting. Homeowners are now embracing statement-making range hoods, featuring intricate designs, diverse materials, and captivating shapes that transform the hood into a standout feature in the kitchen. According to experts, every kitchen needs a focal point, and the range hood is reclaiming its position as the kitchen’s centerpiece. Expect to see range hoods crafted from drywall, shiplap, board and batten wood, metal, and even brick or stone, sending a clear message that the kitchen is taken seriously in modern interior design. Image Credits: Lauren Miller, RyanDyerPhotography, Rafael Soldi
Traditionally relegated to the realm of practicality, these high-traffic spaces are now undergoing a stylish transformation. The once utilitarian, sterile environments are embracing creativity, with a focus on color and pattern experimentation, innovative tile layouts, and playful wallpaper. This newfound emphasis on aesthetics doesn’t compromise functionality; instead, it elevates it. Ceiling drying racks have become the most soughtafter feature, gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok. Utility rooms are no longer just about chores; they are becoming versatile spaces equipped with spray function taps for various tasks and adorned with charming fluted detailing on cabinetry, adding texture and a touch of fun to the functionality. In 2024, the functional has truly become fashionable in utility room design. Image Credits: Herringbone Kitchens, Husk, Plain English
The New Utility
Color Drenching A monochromatic moment is a great idea provided the color is well-chosen. By incorporating various tints, tones, and shades of that chosen hue, you can create a visually captivating space. Painting not only the walls but also baseboards, casings, ceilings, crown moldings, and even objects like window treatments and light fixtures in the same color adds a touch of drama and excitement to a room. Designers are taking it a step further by experimenting with different paint finishes, combining gloss and matte textures on surfaces like wood or plaster to enhance visual interest. This clever technique can even make less appealing features, such as radiators or prominent built-in cabinets, seemingly “disappear.” Another remarkable advantage is that it can make rooms appear more spacious and tidier, particularly when you extend the monochromatic treatment to ceilings, baseboards, doors, and door frames. This effect is even more pronounced in smaller rooms, creating the illusion of height. Color drenching is best suited for bedrooms, bathrooms, pass-through spaces, work niches, and kitchens, providing a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing ambiance. Image Credits: Farrow & Ball
Brown Base The design world is experiencing a shift away from cool grays towards warm, earthy browns. This transition extends beyond fabrics and textiles, influencing cabinetry and casegoods as well. Interior designer Jean Liu notes the resurgence of ‘90s neutrals, particularly the rich and warm shades of brown. Dark brown is identified as one of the top three colors for the year, alongside shades of yellow and light brown, as indicated by 1stDibs. This “hot brown,” reminiscent of 1970s hues, brings a sense of warmth and richness to interiors. New York interior designer Alyssa Kapito praises brown as a versatile and inviting color that complements other hues. Designer Neal Beckstedt highlights the rise of beige and earthy tones with an 18th-century serenity, emphasizing a move towards subdued richness in color palettes. In 2024, brown is the new neutral, infusing spaces with warmth, character, and a touch of nostalgia. Image Credits: Billy Cotton, Francesco Dolfo
Purposeful Kitchen Storage A notable design trend is the expansion of kitchen storage options. Designers are focusing on creating purposeful and customizable drawers and cabinets, as well as embracing larger scullery-style pantry spaces—a trend that continues to captivate homeowners. The shift towards kitchens with furniture elements is gaining momentum, according to Blair Moore of Moore House Design. Rather than relying solely on wall-to-wall or built-in cabinetry, we can expect to witness the resurgence of floating center islands, vintage hutches, and cabinets repurposed for kitchen storage. This departure from streamlined, built-in designs introduces a fresh and eclectic approach to kitchen aesthetics. Image Credits: Read McKendree, Douglas Friedman
Biophiles Unite Biophilic design continues to be at the
spaces with the natural world and is a
forefront of interior design trends. Rooted
design that reflects a growing interest
in the concept of biophilia, which highlights
in creating environments that promote
the innate human inclination to connect with
well-being and alleviate daily stresses.
nature, this trend aims to harmonize our living To fully embrace the benefits of this design style, consider incorporating nature into your interior in various ways. Dedicate an entire wall to a lush display of plants, adorn your staircase with verdant greenery, or transform corners of your rooms with your favorite leafy varieties. Beyond live plants, you can achieve a similar effect by incorporating textures, colors, and shapes that evoke nature’s beauty. Choose materials like wood, leather, and stone that connect with the outdoors and opt for soothing, organic hues in your color palette. Subtly infusing elements of nature into your decor is a cost-effective and straightforward approach to cultivating the tranquility and harmony of biophilic design in your living spaces. Image Credits: Hiroyuki Oki, Justin Coit
Quiet Cozy Luxury This design reflects a desire for smaller, cozier spaces dedicated to relaxation and personal enjoyment. Clients are increasingly seeking intimate corners for activities like reading, watching TV, enjoying the fire, or listening to music. The era of open-plan living is evolving as we recognize the value of personal space. The approach involves transforming underutilized living and dining rooms into inviting lounge areas, even converting the oftenoverlooked spaces under stairs into charming reading nooks. To achieve the ultimate coziness, try incorporating darker color palettes, bookshelves and drapery panels, and arranging furniture for engaging conversations, rather than pushing everything against the walls, to foster a warmer ambiance. To complete the look, an oversized blanket adds that perfect touch for an extra-cozy atmosphere in these inviting nooks. Image Credits: Douglas Friedman, Unsplash
Maximalist Textiles The design landscape is experiencing a resurgence of Maximalism, marking a departure from the era of minimalism. This shift is characterized by a profusion of textures, intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and an abundance of decor within a single space. Patterns play a central role in this trend, leaning towards maximalism with complex, saturated designs and a touch of texture. Geometric shapes take center stage, with a preference for more fluid and curved forms, offering endless possibilities for creative arrangements, featuring elongated hexagons, starry squares, and mosaic patterns, catering to the maximalist aesthetic. Sustainability remains a focal point, with a growing emphasis on natural materials used responsibly and patterns inspired by nature, such as botanicals and animal prints. Design enthusiasts are drawn to styles like Grandmillennial, vintage, and cottagecore, favoring large-scale florals, bold 1960s and 70s-inspired designs, and intricate patterns like French toile, evoking a sense of timeless artistry in weaving. Image Credits: Mandarin Stone, Marimekko
Hot Metals A revival of high-polish fixtures is set to make a bold statement in interior design, according to industry experts. This trend harks back to the glamor of the 1970s and offers a touch of retro elegance. Expect to see shiny black fixtures, gleaming silver, and opulent gold accents gracing interiors. While some embrace the high-shine finish, others opt for a more muted approach, favoring bright aluminums and polished silver as a counterbalance to the dominance of gold and black metals in recent years. The desire for sophistication extends to brushed chrome or nickel, imparting a refined touch. This shift towards metallic finishes is attributed to a departure from the earthy tones of the early 2020s, as people seek a sense of warmth and vibrancy. These finishes, as demonstrated by designers like Nifembi Marcus Bello, are versatile, capable of enhancing the existing ambiance of a room. Image Credits: Yoshihiro Makino, Unsplash
Statement Floors Statement floors are currently taking center stage in the design world. Traditionally overlooked, floors are no longer playing second fiddle but are stepping into the limelight as the star of home interiors. Embracing patterned stone and marble floors is a growing trend, with many homeowners choosing custom setouts featuring hand-selected slabs of stone and marble. This approach creates a captivating cosmos of colors and textures, elevating floors from a functional element to a mesmerizing design feature. The floor is no longer an afterthought but a focal point, setting the tone for the entire space. Image Credits: Anson Smart, Prue Ruscoe
Layered Lighting Homeowners are favoring delicate and mobile-style lights over traditional fixtures like island or flush mounts. The trend is towards artistic and decorative options like woven basket-style lampshades, plaster and white gesso chandeliers, glossy black shades, eggshell textures, and gemstone fixtures like selenite, reflecting a preference for unique and eye-catching lighting choices.
Layered lighting is gaining popularity as a top design technique, combining various sources like recessed lighting, pendants, sconces, lamps, under cabinet lighting, and toe kicks to create versatile and balanced illumination schemes in rooms. Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, emphasizes the importance of blending these fixtures with your decor to achieve a harmonious and functional lighting plan that enhances both aesthetics and practicality. Bold and vibrant colors are dominating interior design choices as well. Painted fixtures in striking shades like red and blue make a statement, adding a playful yet elegant accent to living spaces. There’s a resurgence of Sicilian and Venetian design influences, along with the use of colored Murano glass, reflecting a growing preference for infusing interiors with creativity and vibrancy through daring color choices. Image Credits: Lumens
Surprising Murals & Wallpaper
Wallpaper emerges as an essential element of home decor, marking a culmination of its comeback in recent years. Betsy Burnham, founder and principal of Burnham Design, highlights its transformative power as a hero piece in spaces seeking an extra punch. With an extensive array of prints and textures, wallpaper offers a versatile canvas to express one’s personality in a show stopping and enduring manner. What sets contemporary wallpaper apart is its boundless design possibilities and the convenience of peel-and-stick options, making it more accessible and revolutionizing the world of interior design. Murals are taking the world of interior design by storm as an exciting evolution of the wallpaper trend, driven by eclectic and maximalist design trends that seek to infuse homes with distinctive personalities. Murals are appearing in unexpected places, such as foyers and stair halls, breathing life into once-neglected spaces, emphasizing the importance of making every part of the home unique, with stairwells being transformed into captivating journeys that capture the essence of the entire house. Murals are redefining the boundaries of wall decor, bringing creativity and personality to every inch of your home. Image Credits: Kevin J. Miyazaki, HouseofHeras, Milton & King
Sustainable Landscaping
Landscaping trends are poised to revolutionize outdoor spaces with a focus on aesthetics, water consciousness, and environmental mindfulness. Innovative approaches are emerging to enhance the beauty and sustainability of landscapes. Sustainable landscaping practices are gaining momentum, emphasizing the use of native plants to harmonize with the local environment. Native plants require minimal maintenance, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Edible gardens are becoming a popular choice for organic landscaping, offering the dual benefit of aesthetics and fresh produce. Wildlife gardens are another facet of eco-conscious landscaping, creating habitats that attract squirrels, birds, and butterflies. To conserve water while keeping plants hydrated, rain catchment systems are being embraced and can be used for garden irrigation, reducing reliance on metered water supplies and aligning with responsible water management practices. Landscaping is evolving to embrace environmental consciousness and sustainable design principles. Image Credits: Alamo, Unsplash
New Neutrals for Exterior Earthy tones are making a strong presence in exterior design, mirroring the hues that have already brought natural comfort to interior spaces in recent years. These colors include rich browns, bronze, creams, and, notably, various shades of green, such as serene sage. Designers and experts emphasize the harmonious connection these earthy tones establish with their surroundings, evoking a lived-in and relaxed atmosphere. Neutral hues continue to dominate the scene, providing a versatile backdrop for various front door and trim combinations, seamlessly blending with the home’s natural surroundings. Light exteriors embrace warm neutrals, while darker and moody paint colors are gaining popularity, with black and dark grays adopting earthy undertones to enhance visual appeal. Image Credits: Unsplash, Valspar
Stacked Tile Subway tiles are taking on a fresh perspective. The classic subway tile, a long-standing favorite, is getting a modern twist as designers explore innovative stacking techniques, whether placed vertically or horizontally, adding a contemporary flair to traditional aesthetics. In the coming year, a departure from conventional shapes and monochromatic palettes like white and gray will usher in a new era of tile design. Nature-inspired styles will take center stage, characterized by rich textures, organic forms, and vibrant colors. This trend promises to remain timeless and enduring for years to come, reflecting a captivating evolution in tile design. Image Credits: Emser Tile
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