2024 interior design is all about filling your home with personality, color

It’s been quite a year for interior design. As houses are swept off the market in minutes after listing and new homeowners tackle what they want their home to be like, 2023 was marked with white, clean designs along with minimalism, shiplap and fast furniture.

The design world has shifted gears for 2024, ushering in an era of quartz, vintage furniture, wallpaper, cozy and divided interiors and bold colors and design. Sharon McCormick of Sharon McCormick Designs shared some tips on trends for the new year.

What’s hot for 2024

In the kitchen, it’s all about the quartz. Quartz and quartzite countertops have become all the rage versus granite, marble or laminate. Quartz has earned the top spot for its color selection, durability and scratch resistance.

Wood grain kitchen cabinets, particularly white oak, or cabinets in vibrant colors are taking over from the white kitchens that were popular the last few years. Statement hoods also make a big difference. Beverage stations for coffee, smoothies or a wine bar are also on trend, if you have the space.

Another big change is the flip from open layouts to more traditionally divided rooms. The allure of smaller, more intimate spaces began with the pandemic and the trend has only become more popular. Cozy, more nurturing spaces are taking over from wide open layouts.

To furnish those rooms, think vintage. Upcycling and acquiring antiques has become very trendy. This keeps furniture out of landfills and also brings character to a home. For that vintage furniture, 2024 is bringing the curves. Curved designs in furniture and lighting are taking over this year. Consider wavy, wood furniture that adds a bit of pizazz.

When laying out a room, maximalism without messiness is in for furniture. It plays into the want for cozy spaces. Accessorize as much as you want, but don’t let things get too cluttered or overtaken, especially in smaller rooms.

It’s also time to play with colors, fabric and wallpaper. Bold patterns, particularly striped and plaid fabrics, are very popular. This year, designers also like checkerboard patterns and tassels, fringe, braids and cords for window treatments and upholstery details.

On the color wheel, neutrals have taken over from gray. Think warm tones like beige, tan, cream, brown, caramel, amber, honey and butter. Beside neutrals, blue is the top color. Vibrant tones like teal and aqua are hot along with purple, red and earthy greens.

As far as lighting spaces, layered lighting is it. This can be done with sculptural chandeliers, wall sconces, art lights, decorative ceiling lights and fixtures made of natural materials such as rattan, wicker and leather. If you have to do recessed lighting, canless LEDs are preferred.

Anything that adds character to a room is the ticket. This can include paneling or wall moldings, or customization and personalization. In 2024, you’ll see a lot of decorated ceilings. You can achieve this look with paint, moldings, wallpaper or millwork. Wallpaper on the ceiling? It’s in! Wallpaper can also be used to create murals to bring the outside in.

Did you procure a lot of midcentury modern furniture in the last year or two? While MCM is falling out of style, you can mix in other designs with existing furniture to create a more eclectic look.

In the bedroom, layers are key. Take bedding and use pillows, throws, upholstered furniture, wallpaper, art, lamps, moody colors and decorative lampshades. Have fun with it. Dressing rooms are becoming more popular too. Large walk-in closets you can get changed in are a way to declutter your bedroom and move those things to their own separate space.

What’s on its way out from 2023

Some of the things falling out of favor have been slowly dropping in popularity over the last few years. Gray, all-white interiors and midcentury modern are going out of fashion.

Other trends that are not so popular anymore include granite countertops, open floor plans and minimalism.

One of the biggest changes is fast furniture or furniture that is cheaply made, easily broken and short term. These are the pieces most likely to end up in a landfill. The push to sustainability has driven this industry out of favor.

Inside, there’s a few design aspects you won’t see as much of. These include boxy furniture, accent walls, matching furniture sets, can lighting and oversized bathtubs.

Also with the push to more individualism in design, sleek, generic, shiplap and impersonal hotel-style bedrooms have fallen from favor.

Overall, the trends are going toward having fun with your home design. Add more of your personality into your home. Don’t be afraid of color or texture.