1. Herringbone floor
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Herringbone wood flooring has long been a staple in luxury homes, but it's now becoming mainstream: “It was a lot of work and it used to be a luxury item, but now everyone, even their grandmother, wants beautiful herringbone in their home,” says Karp.
For those on a tight budget, some laminate flooring brands offer products in a herringbone pattern that offers increased durability and requires less maintenance.
2. A Kind of Blue
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From robin's egg to deep blue teal, blue is back and coming up blank in next year's paint color predictions. Its versatility is blue's superpower; it acts as both a neutral and a pop of color. “Blue is one of those colors that everyone loves. It pairs well with other colors and has a calming effect,” says Cheryl Luckett, president of Dwell by Cheryl.
Blue is a versatile color for home decor. Depending on the hue and saturation, it can be used in just about everything from paint and trim to woodwork, tile, and furniture.
3. Built to last
Interiors of time and place
Energy and resource conservation will continue to make its way into interiors in 2024. According to Ksenia Marina, an interior designer at New York-based Time & Place Interiors, there will be an increased focus on conscious consumption and quality products.
“That means sourcing materials with environmental and social considerations, such as choosing FSC-certified wood, supporting small manufacturers and moving away from short-lived 'fast furniture' towards longer-lasting, higher-quality designs.” Since most sustainable furniture is what already exists, Marina also expects to see an increase in vintage and upcycled items in people's homes.
4. Banquet
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According to Karp, adding more comfort to kitchens is a priority. She believes banquettes are becoming more popular because they combine different materials to create a cozy, intimate feel. “Mix materials like wood, fabric and metal to create depth in your home. A great example of this is the rise of banquettes, which previously looked very '70s.”
A banquette creates a breakfast nook for lazy Sunday mornings or casual weekday dinners, and design-wise, it brings softness and balance to the kitchen's shiny surfaces and angles.
5. Special Interest Room
Dwell by Cheryl, photographed by Laura Samrak
Since the early days of the pandemic lockdowns, there has been a move away from multi-functional spaces, and interior designer Cheryl Luckett says that in 2024, homeowners will focus more on rooms that truly serve them. “My clients are asking themselves what they want to do with certain rooms and how they can create rooms that serve them.”
Luckett himself has worked on client projects for wine rooms and adult lounges, and he's also seeing increased requests for reading rooms and adult game rooms.
6. Statement staircase
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Stairs are expected to get some much-deserved attention next year, and it's easy to see why: They're often located near the entrance to a home, helping to enhance that all-important first impression. “The staircase is the spinal cord of a home,” says Karp.
She predicts that homeowners will start making bolder choices in their staircase configurations, the materials and colors of their handrails and balustrades, and their choice of risers: “Homeowners are taking bigger risks with their stairs… from modern staircases integrated with older designs to traditional brownstone staircases that are all painted black to give them a modern look.”
7. Mixing Styles
@ninivinterior
Take a quick peek at #hometok on Instagram and you'll see that interior design styles have become quite homogenized. (Modern Farmhouse, anyone?) While these popular themes will likely continue into 2024, Marina predicts people will mix things up for a more bespoke look that bucks the trend. “Homeowners will want to mix things up,” she says. [from] They move away from traditional, repetitive interior styles and favor more personalized spaces that convey their own unique personality.”
8. Rich Neutral
“Dwell” by Cheryl Photo by Dustin Peck
From paint and flooring to sofas and décor, warm browns will replace the cool grays that have dominated the past. “Browns are warm and calming,” Luckett says.
She predicts the trend will move away from cool greys towards saturated neutrals like chocolate brown as people look to create cozy, inviting spaces.
9. Round kitchen island
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Adding softness to a kitchen also influences its basic function. Curves and rounded edges, once reserved for cabinetry, arched doorways and niches, are finding their way into kitchens. Look out for oval kitchen islands paired with bold countertop colours and stripes.
“A more organic, feminine touch is here to stay and will definitely remain on trend next year,” says Karp. The island base's fluted architectural details soften the look and accentuate the curvaceous silhouette.
10. Add more upholstery
Dwell by Cheryl, photographed by Laura Samrak
As the new year approaches, Luckett expects to see even more of a move away from cooler colors and a minimalist aesthetic in favor of texture-rich, casual sophistication in interiors. “And you can't have a warm, cozy space without it,” she adds.
She expects to see more upholstered dining chairs in the future, especially as people prioritize comfort along with softer contours and shapes.
11. Patterned tiles
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While homeowners are moving away from more adventurous reds and yellows, they're still open to bold, saturated tones, both warm and cool. One way to add color is through richly patterned tile. Karp believes this influence comes from high-end hospitality: “Textured and patterned tile is being brought from high-end hotels and restaurants into the average home.”
Patterned and textured tiles add depth and unexpectedness, while floral, botanical and wildlife prints add a sense of playfulness and mystery, providing a pleasing counterbalance to simpler, more contemporary cabinetry and vanities.
12. Contemporary Cabinets
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Are Shaker cabinets starting to lose their dominance? Karp predicts we'll see a decline in recessed cabinet fronts in favor of cleaner styles. “We're seeing less Shaker style and more of an overall modern look with flush finishes.”
Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities reflect a simpler, more minimalist aesthetic. Simple designs like flat fronts, integrated drawer pulls and hidden handles (a no-hardware look) provide a sophisticated look for kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms.
13. Art appreciation
Dwell by Cheryl, photographed by Laura Samrak
Increasingly, people want their homes to reflect their personalities and values, and one way to do that is through art. It doesn't have to be custom made to feel bespoke; Luckett says it's more important to find pieces that are meaningful and connect with each individual. “It's about creating the soul of the home.”
Art tells stories, shares history and is very personal; paintings, photographs and memorabilia are visible expressions of history. Recently, Luckett helped put on display the family's extensive archive of photos and documents from land the family purchased during segregation in South Carolina. “It goes back to respecting their roots. To me, that's how you make a home.”
