The 10 design trends that defined 2024
Whilst we are eternal advocates for sustainable, timeless design, there’s no doubt interiors are defined by moods that are in constant flux. Shifting trends can signal changes in how designers work and what clients want, but more than this, they can reflect changing lifestyles, aspirations and societal attitudes at large (quiet luxury, we’re looking at you). From fashion-approved fabrics to new ways with old world crafts and very bold bed designs, these are the trends that defined interior design in 2024.
Fluffy furniture
Blame the news cycle, but this year has seen a flurry of touch-me-now furry furniture pieces that are just made for snuggling into. While sheepskin is still a viable material choice for such designs, these days you’re more likely to find biodegradable faux-fur fabrics and long-haired plant-based fibres.
Platform beds
If last year was all about keeping your sleeping quarters as humble as possible, 2024 was dedicated to making a statement. Designers did so by embracing platforms beds, with mattresses placed on chunky raised frames. More than just a fleeting trend, some designers suggest that this extravagant style of boudoir could also signal a change in the way we sleep, and with whom.
Rough stone bathrooms
Stone has long been a go-to material for bathroom designers, but this look is a long way from slick carrara marble. Think instead of basins that appear to be roughly hewn from rocks, with imperfections championed. It’s a kind of wabi sabi on steroids and designers can’t get enough of it.
Oxblood dominated Milan design week in 2024, showing up in collections from design heavyweights Gucci, B&B Italia, Minotti, Kettal and more. Consider this rich, brooding colour a natural progression from playful Barbie pink, or indeed a pushback against the fifty shades of beige that typified the ‘quiet luxury’ discourse. From the runway to real home, there’s no doubt oxblood reigned supreme as the colour of the year across the design spectrum.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a mainstay in commercial kitchens for its durability and anti-microbial qualities, properties that have made it increasingly popular in residential design, and not just for the kitchen. Leading designers are pairing sleek steel with unexpected details such as period features, neon bright colours and wooden finishings in the bathroom, bedroom and beyond.
Burr wood
Though burrs (growths within a tree’s trunk) are technically deformities, the resulting timber, with its grainy swirls and unique patterns, is beautiful and deserving of celebration. It’s become somewhat ubiquitous in interiors, appearing in collections from high street retailers to independent makers.
Resin
Whether extracted from tree sap or a synthetic version such as epoxy or polyester, resin is an endless source of inspiration for designers. London-based accessories brand CompletedWorks has become synonymous with the material, while Rotterdam-based designer Laurids Gallée shot to Instagram fame with his ethereal resin work.
This age-old woodworking practice is enjoying a thoroughly modern revival with established artisans and up-and-coming designers producing timeless pieces for the home. The versatility of the craft means it can be applied to wall coverings, tabletops, cabinetry and more…
Conversation pits
Sunken seating areas are a gateway to convivial at-home entertaining, whether it’s with pals over a homemade martini (another retro revival we’re thoroughly behind) or relaxing together as a family on a Sunday evening. Plus, the inward facing seating basically commands that phones are put away and we engage in the lost art of conversation.
Moiré
This storied textile was the fabric of choice for Dior’s SS24 haute couture collection, while Elitis, Zoffany and Zinc produced moiré wallcoverings. Interior designers are using this decadent fabric to add a touch of luxe to homes, many of which were seen in the pages of ELLE Decoration this year.
