It's the season for trend forecasting of all kinds, including home decor trends. And while I'm not a fan of declaring anything is "out", when you are embarking on a new project, that costs money and takes time, it's kind of nice to see what's up and coming! I think the wonderful thing about trends in the home interiors world is they have more longevity than fashion--generally at least a 10 year cycle before it becomes so main stream you're dying to see something different. And then guess what? That still means the majority of the general population is seeking after that thing. See: Modern Farmhouse. Perhaps in the home interiors world, it's been done to death. We're moving on. But I promise you, it's still a very large, sought after look for the general population. Just another perspective. (Also, I've still seen it done insanely well today).
When I sat down to make this list, the first several things I wrote down I had already shared in LAST YEAR'S trend prediction post!!!?? So needless to say, it's all still very relevant and we're not quickly moving on to anything around here. But there are a few more trends for 2024 I'm beyond thrilled to implement more of around here.
This is both a design and a content trend. Our homes are not showcases. More and more, people want to see spaces that are comfortable and "broken in." Books and magazines are left out, in stacks. Art leans against the walls. Your favorite pot, and definitely your favorite kettle, is always on the stove. Blankets are ample and untucked. Boots live at the foot of the bed. There's life in our spaces. This is how homebodies do maximalism. I think this is in response to the Covid era, the AI perfection saturating our feeds, and the need for comfort. I'm all for it because a lived-in, collected space is what homes are all about. Less perfection in 2024.
Hats off to brass and gold for the longest reigning metal trend. And while they aren't going anywhere (I think there's room for all metals in interiors, except maybe rose gold--sorry!) there's definitely a rise in the new "it" metal: silver tones. Everything from polished nickel to pewter. Chrome. (I have an aversion to fake brushed nickel, but only the fake stuff and I truly think it's just me). It feels really historical and fresh, and especially the warm undertones of polished nickel mixes really well with brass. Because the look is so historic, silver feels like it has longevity. We're seeing silver in everything from hardware to lighting fixtures to candlesticks. (Like in the beautiful photo above-that tablecloth is for sale btw!)
Now that we're all very comfortable with checkerboard (a trend I first shared about in 2019--speaking of longevity!), we're seeing lots of alternatives to black and white. Bold colors and jewel tones and lots of tile with depth. I heard recently, "If the shape is safe, the color has to be bold," and I love seeing that now checkerboard is almost a neutral and it's being paired with a lot of other bold tile choices and colors. (This goes a long with last year's colorful veining in countertops trend that I still stand by.)
Technically, I talked about interesting lighting in last year's post, but it's leaning even more into lighting as art now. Especially in small spaces, go big on the lighting and let it double as art. It makes a statement in a space that needs very little furnishing or wall decor. It can take any space from builder grade to knock out. It's all about the lighting.
I was so certain I reported on this drool-worthy trend--interior windows separating spaces instead of just walls but I guess not. I've seen it in so many instances and over a huge variety or styles and it works every time. I'm dying to find a place for an interior window in my house. People are finding the most creative ways to connect rooms with windows instead of walls. I recently saw this in Jean Stoffer's house — two living room windows inside, letting light pass through from an adjacent room. (Could this be for the music room at the top of our stairs??)
It seems like every few years, we come up with a new way to mix up our kitchens. We went from all kitchen cabinetry being wood to all the cabinetry being the same color...to seeing bottom cabinets contrast with upper cabinets (tuxedo cabinets). We saw accent islands. And now we're seeing tones mixed in the inlays. We're also seeing a second tone brought in with the drawers, for example. This feels like the ultimate in mixing materials. It creates such a collected, Old-World look. A lot of people are going to shy away from this at first. This is a trend for the risk-takers. It will stand out. But I do believe this is what's next in kitchens.
You probably have a not-so-fond memory of a red wall in your house, growing up. You probably promised yourself you would never paint a wall in your house red. It used to be when said "accent wall," we meant red. But, red is back in a big way. It's beyond being a pop. It's an immersion. You can paint and entire room red. It's not for the shy. It's very committal. You can dip your toe in, or you can go really big, and it's striking. We're using red for our mudroom cabinets and all of the trim in our back hallway and I can barely wait.
But bonus! I also think buttery yellow is taking off, too.
What trends are you most excited about this year??
Beautiful! Love all the details and colors!
We just moved and every one of these forecasts are ideas that already are, or are planned to be, incorporated into our new home! (Especially the lives-in look and the interior windows.) Thanks for the affirmation and inspiration!!
I don’t have your gifts for decorating, and I have spent far too much money on interior decorators and left underwhelmed. I ask for classic design, durable to survive my three year old grandson, and anymore that may come along, but trends scare me. I don’t have a problem spending the money, I just don’t want to have to rework everything because something has fallen out of favor.
you nailed it with you probably had red in your house and have an aversion to it
Oh yes, especially when people picked the wrong red….eeek
So obsessed with red for a bit now. Just painted our bathroom in Bamboozle from F&B 😍
Such a great article!!!
Stunning, timeless design is always in style. Beautiful!
The two toned cabinets is making me SWOON!
Beauty in every shot
Can you please come to Charlotte and decorate/design my home?! Thanks!
I use to rent a house with metal cabinets and a red formica blacksplash. I painted my kitchen red with cream and black ban. To this day this was my favorite kitchen to date. Also for the glass wall I will install a french door in my kitchen separating the kitchen from my small dark hallway.
I'm seeing a huge lean towards British interiors and exteriors, and that lived in look is pulled off beautifully with collections. I love all the saturated colors and wood tones. In 2019 we gutted our buttery yellow kitchen with the brass cup pulls and red accented Bay window for lots of millwork in lighter tones. I guess you can say I'm way ahead of my time or way behind, but I'm always missing the trend. 😉 Good read. Thank you.
Red always and forever!
Lived in look is my goal this year by building a library into our open concept dining/living room. Nothing says lived in more than dining among books!
I love most of your 2024 trends (ok, not the two-tone cabinets, but all of the rest is spot on). I’ve always loved having silver all over my house! I use mine regularly and think it adds shine sophistication to any room. (I chuckled at the thought of it being “in” again, but remembered at 65, my age is showing.) Silver is a luxury to be enjoyed! As for red rooms, I’m all for it! I had a red lacquered dining room (color matched to a favorite lipstick), and I will forever remember how it glowed in candlelight! Brick red also graced the walls of my family room…White Dove trim and beautiful rugs made it a favorite space. Don’t shy away from color! I’m making my list for projects and cannot wait to get started (just as soon as I finish putting away Christmas). Happy New Year, Chris and Julia! Congrats to your family on the arrival of your niece!
I really want a red room in our house! It seems like it would be so cozy but also elevated at the same time?? Now to decide who the lucky room is…
I love all these trends! As long as we get rid of the backward books on the shelf, all is good 👍
Totally agree!
The interior window trend is definitely making a stop at my home! We have an awkward above the kitchen sink opening that looks into the living room. Hubby doesn’t want to close it off completely, so a window will be perfect to have it more separate.
Yes to lived-in interiors! I’ve been so intrigued with British interiors and I think they do this so well. It’s beautiful, it’s real, and it’s cozy!
Love that first photo, and the trend it was promoting - it’s great to see an interiors influencer advocating for a more lived-in vibe! I liked a lot of these trends being forecast, tho not all of them, which I think is actually fantastic! There have been times when all the “up and coming trends” really only played to a particular aesthetic. Seeing a variety, along with some ideas that aren’t style-specific but more conceptual (lived in, statement lighting, etc) leaves room for personal taste to still be the leading factor. This has been my favorite forecast for 2024 - and I’ve definitely seen a lot of them!
I painted the cabinets frames in our basement apartment but left the drawer fronts and doors wood -- five years ago! I am very into bolder cabinet colors. I just painted ours a deep purple-brown and I'm obsessed.