interior design trends

 HIDEAWAY HOME OFFICES

(Image credit: Another Country)

A small home office is all about smart WFH stations that can be disguised. To the unassuming eye they'll look like a drinks cabinet, or a writing bureau, or perhaps an armoire. But what they hide is all your work stresses and strains and papers and bits.  

'For most of our clients, this involves utilizing a spare bedroom as their home office that can still act as a guest room when needed,' says Candance. 'For others, we’ve helped them by adding ADU’s or converting their garages into separate spaces for working. And for our clients who are tighter on space, we’ve helped them designate an area in the home that makes use of a clever piece of furniture that serves multiple purposes. Anyone can create a hideaway office by rethinking their existing furniture pieces or choosing items that can do double duty. A small desk becomes a larger nightstand in a guest room, or a c-table that’s big enough for a laptop can tuck up next to a chair or sofa for working hours and then moonlight as sleek side table when the work day is done.'

ALFRESCO BATHING

(Image credit: Inclined Studio. Studio credit VPA Architects)

Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow debuted her home spa to the world, designers have been thinking of new ways to fold this feeling into decor. The materials, the textures, the steam rooms...and now, the return of the outdoor shower and bathtubs has become a part of  bathroom trends.

'For a raw feel in the outdoors, consider materials such as blackened steel with a patina or rustic, live-edge wood,' says Victoria Holly, principal and founder of Victoria Holly Interiors. 'These material provide an unexpected take on more traditional materials such as metal or wood. I also like to bring in larger format tiles in a concrete look or even faux concrete waterproof plastering to the outdoors. We love to incorporate faux concrete for a built-in tub surround or on countertops, and also like to add in exposed copper pipes or black iron fixtures.'

LUXE OUTDOOR LIGHTING

(Image credit: Jess Isaac. Design: Jessie Lane Interiors)

As we all want to spend more and more time in our backyard, it's no wonder the trend for luxe lighting has come outside with us. Be it in outdoor dining or living rooms, eye-catching pieces are the need of the house. 'Outdoor lighting prevents our outside spaces seeming like dark black holes when viewed from inside the house,' says garden designer Kate Gould.

'Sculptural lights are a big trend,' says Scott Richler, founder of Gabriel Scott.. 'A completely customisable sculptural lighting statement made from an innovative material which is also durable for the outdoors is the need for most homeowners.'

'Fantastic chargeable options, means style is no longer sacrificed for function, so you can have gorgeous table lamps on your alfresco dining table, with all manner of different types of fairy/bulb lights and solar powered uplighters for your plants,' says Cat. 'Good garden lighting is not just for the moments you are outside, but it makes an enormous difference if you are inside looking out, as suddenly your garden becomes a feature to be enjoyed, and celebrated.'

IRREGULAR RUGS

(Image credit: Note Design Studio)

Irregular rugs are striking designs that undoubtedly have all been created to own the floor. Not only do these living room rugs have an eye-catching print,  they’re also all shaping a new outline in design, quite literally, as they all sport an unconventional shape. 

Whether you’re going curvy, geometric, or angular, these top sports all boast a little bit of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, and we’re ready to embrace it. 

'Scallop edges are not going away for a while and I'm here for it,' says Cat Dal, founder of Cat Dal Interiors. 'We love a playful moment, so we have just proposed henry holland's Diagonal melt carpet as the stripes literally 'melt' in the corner of the rug which is such a piece of art.'

PLUMPED-UP SEATING

(Image credit: Folio Studio)

Designers are demonstrating how a more relaxed style of seating designs can combine comfort factor and everyday practicality, but with high-level refinement and ultimate style-desirability. Embracing curves as the newest chair and sofa trend. 

'Curved  and plumped up sofas sofas  first become popular in the 1950s when Vladimir Kagen created his Serpentine sofa,' says Samantha Wilson, interior designer and founder of Collection Noir. 'Since then, and thanks to this iconic piece and subsequent iterations, designers have been given a little more creativity when designing a space.'

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2024 Interior Design

 CURVACEOUS CABINETRY

(Image credit: Scarlet Splendour)

More storage, and this time in a much bigger way. And it's going seriously sexy as tidying up never looked so good. The other side of the same coin as those decorative storage boxes, these cabinets are more evidence of the quest to just put everything away and live in an uncluttered space. 

Of course, not all storage is to hide your stuff in, and these wet bar cabinets are a way to get the party started. 'Organic shapes are just very inviting,' says designer Bryan O'Sullivan, who regularly uses curves in his schemes. Here, the 88 Secrets Bar Cabinet by Scarlet Splendour brings the glamor with its nod to Italian design aesthetics paired with opulent rose metal details and a sumptuous palette. Handcrafted in Kolkata, this will elevate your entertaining game, providing a space from which to prepare and serve drinks to guests. Customisable finishes are available so you can create a truly individual piece.

CONVIVIAL SEATING

Hémicycle Vis à Vis conversation seat, Ligne Roset, available from Archiproducts

(Image credit: Natalia Miyar)

Furniture designers have spotted the opportunity to bring people back together again, and this new era in furniture design sees a selection of seating options which are all about encouraging the art of in-person conversation. 

A curvaceous, contemporary and modern sofa offers two people the opportunity to sit separately, but with the feeling they are still next to each other.  'The shape of a curved sofa is softer and less formal,' explains the French designer Julien Villenueve. 'It creates an enveloping environment where all the family can sit together.'

MINIMALUXE

(Image credit: Future/Matthew Williamson)

A pared back palette that allows the showcasing of your favorite things, minimaluxe is set to take over the design world. It's characterised by soft textures, shapes and colors, and a sense of airiness and light.

Of his apartment in New York, above, stylist Colin King says 'the window are deliberately left unadorned so the space doesn't look too "decorated."' And that desire for simplicity coupled with a space you want to curl up in with your most treasured objects is what minimaluxe is all about.

'It seems that people are leaning towards cooler tones, rather than the warmer neutral tones that have been dominant for so long,' says Shannon. 'A lot of people are paring it back to what's essential, and seeking out the chic design elements found in high tech minimalism of the 90's.'

ZELLIGE TILES

(Image credit: Kensington Leverne. Design: Atelier Ochre)

Reclaimed or vintage-inspired, the archive patterned aesthetic is more popular than ever.  When it comes to kitchen or bathroom tiles, the shining yet modern Zellige tiles are taking over.

'In terms of tiles, it's Zellige all the way,' says Candace. 'People are obsessed with the hand-hewn look and subtle earthy tones of the classic Moroccan tiles right now. Specifically the square shape and in varying shades of taupe and creams. We love them too, but try to encourage our clients to go for more unique shapes of the tile or for a deeper, more interesting color that will add more of an impact to the space and accentuate the handmade characteristics that draw them to the tile in the first place. We’re also seeing a lot of ribbed and fluted subway tiles that have that same handcrafted feel popping up a lot in designs right now.'

'Zellige is everywhere, and we feel it's here to stay,' says Shannon. 'Classic checkerboard is also making a comeback.  We are working on a Spanish style project at the moment that has subtle cream and terracotta checkerboard tones, which feels a bit less bold than the traditional contrast of black and white.'

WALL LIGHTS TAKING CENTER STAGE

(Image credit: Kelly Wearstler)

Superstar designer Tom Dixon recently told Livingetc about the importance of ‘light washing’, using bulbs cleverly to cover your walls in light rather than just beaming down on them from on high. 'Careful positioning of wall lighting is very important to create the right atmosphere,' says Katie McCrum, the interior designer behind London-based McCrum Studio.

And it isn't coincidence that wall lights are becoming ever more sculptural, scene stealing, sensational and stellar. Be it kitchen wall lighting or bathrooms, these pieces are now stars in their own right, just hanging a little lower than you might expect. 

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Interior Design Trends 2024

  LONG, CYLINDRICAL LIGHTS

(Image credit: Nicole Franzen. Studio credit Jessica Gersten Interiors )

When it comes to dining, bedroom or living room lighting, the forms take inspiration from oblong shapes, casting targeted and tantalising glows. Why this shape, and why now? It's because they're playful and polished, flexible, and finessed, a striking statement with a curvaceous silhouette. 

They also funnel light, creating the ideal glow for how we want to live now – warm and flattering and sociable. 'My favorite trend is the use of statement lighting pieces that can be used both as a functional and decorative element,' says the interior designer Nina Magon. Lighting trends generally would imply that the era of the big light is over, that wall and floor lamps are the most important now. But the targeted way this shape creates light means if you have to have a big central light, then it has to be tubularly shaped.

GOLD-PLATED CERAMICS

(Image credit: Azure Interiors)

Designers and makers are warming up minimalist palettes slightly with just a hint of a Midas touch. A functioning lemon squeezer, but make it art? We’ve come a long way from the iconic Philippe Starck Juciy Salif to reach this pretty and perfect hand-painted ceramic offering. 

It's an approach being utilized by Jo Davies and Pinto too, folding perfectly into the minimalism in interior design vibe we all crave so much right now. 'Minimalist living is not only about having a clean home, it is also about celebrating nature and authenticity,' says Hélène Pinaud of Heju Studio. 'So we are not afraid to incorporate artisanal, vintage and homemade objects and furniture but always in a quiet, neutral palette.' Just a touch of elevation to the everyday, but not enough it creates any visual noise.

 GOLDEN TONES

Origami Rockets Wallcovering in Bohemia, WK806/08, Kirkby Design x Eley Kishimoto.

(Image credit: Pierrick Verny. Studio credit Magic Circus Editions)

 Shimmering like sunsets, this pleasantly warm and flaxen hue is elevating interiors with a touch of pure luxe. Bethan Gray has used it on furniture, Arflex have it on chairs and many designers are using it on wallpapers, tiles and more. Plus, many colors go with gold, meaning this hue can be used for layering, to make an interior feel warm and livable. 

'We’re currently loving more nuanced versions of the gold finishes like darkened brass or light bronzes that tend to be more dynamic,' says Candace Shure, founder of Shure Design Studio. 'But as long as the gold or metallic tones in a home compliment the space they’re in by adding some balance and warmth, then they belong and still feel timeless.'

'We have seen a lot of brass over the past 10 years,' says Shannon. 'It seems that people are starting to veer more towards silver tones. Stainless and chrome are making a comeback and we're here for it.  Stainless combined with marble or travertine is a minimalistic approach that feels luxurious.'

PURE WHITE LAMPS

642 Visier Lamp by Sergio Asti for Martinelli Luce.

(Image credit: Tom Kurek. Studio credit JT Grupa)

This new lighting trend is all about stripping out colour completely, emphasising on shape instead. 'We love monochrome spaces,' says Chelsea Reale of design studio Sissy + Marley. 'Especially in smaller settings as it gives your eyes the chance to flow through the space without interruption.'

These type of lamps are arguably not just lamps, but a piece of sculpture too. These add the slightest bit of dimension and shape to a room and ensure that the light is always well-filtered and even.

ALUMINUM OBJECTS

(Image credit: Workstead)

This easily recycled metal has been upgraded from drinks cans to some of the most covetable design around, as part of a bigger movement for designers to reappraise more sustainable means. 'Rough and smooth, shiny and matte, black and white - we want [to use] a lot of materials to avoid too much monotony,' says Tom Dixon, who has used it for lightweight chairs. MDF Italia has fashioned a bench from it and New York-based designers Workstead using aluminum in a lighting collection. 

Consisting of a pendant and sconce design, the sleek minimal forms showcase the beauty of the material in its purity, creating a perfect backdrop for the light to reflect off. The contrast between the soft conical silhouettes and the edge of the waxed aluminium itself contributes wonderfully to an industrial interior design styles. Less of a juxtaposition and more of a happy marriage. 

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