With Feng Shui in and fast furniture out, the experts share their top interior design predictions for the year ahead.
Minimalism has had a good run, but there’s no denying the fact that as we look forward to interior design throughout the rest of 2024, bolder hues, unique touches and personality-infused homes are all firmly on the agenda.
Effect taps eight interior designers spanning the globe to uncover their 2024 design predictions.
Jeffrey Beers: Personality-forward spaces
In 2024, we live, work, and entertain in our homes. We want them to represent our personalities and provide a comfortable sanctuary, so our selection of furnishings needs to prioritise comfort. Artwork, accessories, and accent furniture pieces that represent our family, lifestyle and travel bring our personality forward and make our spaces feel less like a hotel and more like a home.
On the way out: I expect to see overtly industrial design with black finished plumbing fixtures and door or cabinet hardware being replaced in favour of warmer metals with a natural less polished finish that feels nice to your hand and is warmer aesthetically.
Angel O’Donnell: Ethics in aesthetics
Frugal baths. Furniture made from reclaimed wood. Sofas padded with recycled ocean plastic fibres. Good working conditions. And a living wage. These things will continue to grow in importance, especially among young entrepreneurs who are self-made, tuned in, and keen to correct the wrongs of older, wealthy generations. So too will upcycling long-loved furniture in need of TLC. As people’s passion for pattern deepens, furniture can be given a new editorial edge, a whole new lease of life.
On the way out: Fast furniture. People see the false economy in buying cheap and buying twice, and they understand the dire ethical consequences of replacing cheaply made, mass-produced furniture every time it breaks. Also, I’d argue that people are more design savvy, perhaps more conscious of their interiors, thanks to the multitude of aspirational images they see on sites like The Modern House, Pinterest and Instagram. These images often speak of craftsmanship, which has little to do with the world of fast furniture.
Kate Feather: Power pantries
Beautiful pantry spaces are set to take pride of place in 2024 homes – whether they are hidden behind concealed doors or open for all to see, it’s the best way of maximising storage in the kitchen.
Utilise a pantry to elevate your kitchen adding in pops of colour, incorporating brighter hues for a contemporary aesthetic or richer tones to create a sophisticated look. Our Church Road kitchen pantry features patterned wallpaper that complements the scheme adding a vibrant and unique feel to the space. Using colour in the kitchen can also create different zones within the space, so that’s something to keep in mind too.
On the way out: Black and grey kitchens are definitely on the way out, and we’re set to see many more requests for more earthy, neutral tones paired with wood and marble.
Carola Pimentel of Assure Interiors: White
We are seeing a shift towards the freshness of white, especially in our projects for clients relocating to a new life in Miami from the Northeast US and Europe. Alabaster white in particular is beautiful and warmer than pure white.
When decorating with this colour, it’s important to keep three things in mind: layering, practicality, and climate. In one recent Miami neoclassical home, we layered texture and interest via tactile materials as part of a laidback and refined decorating scheme suitable to, in this case, tropical living. Case in point? A thick basketweave jute rug and white marble nesting tables reinforce the presence of natural materials, while the curtains, in keeping with the relaxed interior, are diaphanous sheer linen which adds a touch of softness while filtering the strong Florida light.
On the way out: Cold spaces. We prefer to deploy a considered use of colours, textures and patterns, as well as collections of art and vintage finds to reflect our clients’ personalities.
Karen Frome of Rise Projects: Smooth edges
Smoother shapes are definitely in for 2024 – the general design trend being away from the hard-edged world towards a more welcoming and embracing interior. For example, arches are having a moment, both as doorways and in windows and millwork and other decorative elements. The arch gives that visual embrace that focuses, softens, and creates ease.
On the way out: Dark, straight wood floors
While a dark floor will always provide a bit of drama, these days we are seeing a shift away from the dark stained moody floor. People seem to need some lightness in their homes and are opting for more detailed patterns like herringbones, chevrons, and parquets to create sophistication and warmth. These floors are more natural and homey – a feeling that seems to be in demand.
Chris Pask of Charlton Brown: Tunable homes
We are expecting the demand for tunable lighting schemes and home tech to increase in 2024. Clients are increasingly seeking intuitive technology that will enhance their quality of life, from lighting that subtly and automatically adjusts from day to night settings, to artificial skylights which accurately mimic the visual appearance of the sun and sky in a basement.
The natural sky light in the morning tends to be a brighter blue compared with warmer hues in the afternoon, and these adjustments help to support our bodies’ circadian rhythm by ensuring we receive bright daylight in the morning to invigorate the system, and a melatonin-stimulating dimming in the evenings to help us sleep soundly. This subtle effect enhances unseen well-being by working with the natural cycles of the body.
On the way out: We have noticed a departure from spotlight-focused lighting schemes which have enjoyed considerable popularity over the last few years. In contrast to potentially harsh and unflattering spotlights, interior designers are now drawing inspiration from the world of hospitality and private members’ clubs, where lighting plays a pivotal role in establishing the tone of the space.
Phyllis Lui of Kalu Interiors: Feng Shui
Feng Shui will be big in 2024 because we are now in the Year of the Dragon, which is the most coveted and said to be the most auspicious of all the Chinese signs. Being one of the most celebrated, a dragon New Year will also bring awareness to Chinese practices and customs.
This new year also coincides with a new Feng Shui 20-year cycle which means it is time for change. Incorporating Feng Shui practises into a home (even as small as adding plants) can help bring positive energy into the space.
On the way out: Single-use furniture. Interiors and homes are trending smaller thanks to elevated interest rates and higher prices, and convertible furniture is quickly catching on. Furniture such as easy chairs and sofas that can quickly be made into a bed for overnight guests are becoming more efficient, stylish and more readily available.
Maria Gossett and Kendal Rogers of Pixel Design: Fully-immersive colour palettes
In 2024, I expect our spaces to look much more colourful, as people are no longer afraid to be a bit bold with their schemes. I’m not just talking about a little pop of colour – people are leaning into fully immersive palettes and aren’t afraid for spaces to have personality. We’re also seeing more and more clients opting for warmer neutrals; overall, there’s much more comfortability with using colour in design.
On the way out: Picture-perfect showroom-like spaces. Spaces that feel lived in and loved are much more comfortable and enjoyable when you aren’t afraid of moving something out of place and ruining the whole look. I expect to see a lot more life in photos of spaces on social media and magazines going forward.
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