These days, having style isn't just about what you wear. How you outfit your living space is of equal importance, which is why we have décor trends for every aspect of a home similar to the way we have trends for every aspect of our wardrobes. The good news is that home décor trends don't come and go quite as quickly as fashion trends, but you have to do a bit of research to keep up with home trends. And we're here to help with that, in the same place you go to get your fashion trend news.
As we start to emerge from the kitschy, '70s retro look that dominated these past few years, we're seeing a new air of sophistication in homes, which goes hand in hand with fashion's "quiet luxury" movement. The most popular trends of 2024 are undeniably elegant—but with personality. You won't find any sterile, straight-out-of-a-showroom trends here. The five versatile trends we're highlighting can easily be incorporated into one's existing living space, and they play nicely with other décor styles.
To get to the bottom of the trends that will matter most in the coming year, I got the help of a few top interior designers with extensive knowledge about all things home-décor-related, from trending aesthetics to the most popular furniture styles. NYC-based designer Britt Zunino, Oregon-based Molly Kidd, D.C.- and NYC-based Zoe Feldman, and L.A.-based Jesse Rudolph and Joelle Kutner gave us their thoughts on the most important trends right now. Scroll on to read all about it.
We'd be remiss to not point out the effect that the quiet-luxury movement has had on interior design. Subtle, soothing, comfortable rooms define this timeless aesthetic. One of the defining features of the understated-luxury trend is texture. As Zoe Feldman puts it, "Understated luxury is all about casual forms enveloped in luxurious fabrics: mohair, cashmere, and wool to name just a few." She also pointed out that the pandemic had plenty to do with the quick rise of this trend, telling us, "People began to look internally into their homes to create safe and comfortable spaces that still look beautiful, opting for softer materials and warmer tones that allow us to feel ensconced in our surroundings—like a jewel box of sorts."
Designer Molly Kidd agrees that luxury is all about the materials that are incorporated into a space. She told us, "The most silent grandeur in the interior industry comes down to timeless, high-quality materials. You might not know it, but investing in goods that at their core are crafted out of the finest mediums is the truest form of luxury."
One of the most interesting trends to emerge recently is brutalism. It's a trend you've probably seen without knowing it had a name. The trend, a form of modernist architecture, was popular during the '50s, '60s, and '70s, and is defined by simple, stark structures and concrete and other raw finishes. Originally, brutalism referred to an entire building or home, but today, designers are incorporating brutalist style into homes, mixing it with other architectural elements that complement and play off of each other.
Kidd said of the brutalism trend, "It's the perfect juxtaposition to softness in a space." She added, "The raw, imperfect, and edgy personality of brutalist pieces provides a heartiness and unique weight to my designs." She also speaks to the element of surprise, saying, "Brutalist elements naturally bring an unexpected twist to any room, and for that, I know it will become an iconic movement."
In contrast to the warm, soothing tones that define the understated-luxury trend, another major interior trend right now is the use of bold colors. From high-commitment features such as a vibrant wall to lower-commitment elements like a bright rug, people are using color to add playfulness and personality to their living spaces.
Interior designer Britt Zunino, who frequently incorporates color into her designs, said of the trend, "Clients come to us because they're interested in something completely opposite to the neutral trends we've seen in recent years—people are ready for their spaces to feel unique and personal to them."
A trend that will probably never change is that of having the indoors be an extension of the outdoors. Natural wooden elements such as beams, organic wood furniture, greenery, and the use of colors that are found in nature define this trend.
L.A.-based Jesse Rudolph and Joelle Kutner find that the brutalist trend and the trend of bringing the outdoors in go hand in hand. They shared with us, "Our aesthetic always favors these design theories, and the two work perfectly together." They added,
"These aesthetics are so popular and becoming more so because there is a calming restraint in using a minimal color and material palette. Natural materials like wood, glass, and metal allow you to feel grounded and connected to your surroundings. Function over form in design is like saying it's important that it looks good, but it's even more important you're comfortable when wearing it, which is something that is true to our ethos."
NYC-based Zunino had an interesting perspective on the trend, saying, "It's becoming more common for people on the East Coast to want that California look, an easy transition from outdoors to indoors, which we can embrace through unexpected materials and earthy color palettes."
Americans have long been enamored with European design, but the influence is becoming more nuanced. The current trend ranges from rustic and floral elements that speak to the English countryside look to materials such as marble and Murano glass that are common in Italian design to the elegant, vintage feel of classic French style to the modern and clean Scandinavian look.
Feldman added context to the popular trend, speaking to the use of European-inspired furniture, saying, "European design—mid-century Danish design in particular—can be very simple in its form. Because of this simplicity, these pieces feel modern and timely, and yet they add a certain soul to the spaces around them because of their vintage quality. Modernizing these pieces can be as simple as throwing on a simple pop of color with fabric or prints to add a sense of excitement."
from Who What Wear