In this guide you’ll learn:
The most popular interior design trends of 2024
The quiet minimalism style that we started to see in 2023 is still trending, and it’s being coupled with dark wood-panelled walls, mixed textures, artisan pieces and collectables. When you think of minimalism, it’s easy to imagine plain, austere spaces that aren’t conducive to living in. Quiet minimalism brings a new twist to the idea, with a focus on creating tranquil, serene spaces that evoke calm and simplicity. Characterised by a neutral colour palette, clean lines and simple shapes, quiet minimalism offers a modern and clean look.
Another essential tenet of quiet minimalism is the use of natural materials. The idea of bringing the outside in is key to the calm environments that quiet minimalism create. Think wooden or bamboo furniture with linen and cotton soft furnishings for a space that creates a connection to nature and serenity.
Possibly the most significant interior decor trend pillar of interior design in 2024 is authenticity. As far as possible, every piece in your home should tell a story. Perhaps Swedish architect and product designer Martin Brudnizki said it best: “2024 is the year to banish sterile environments and embrace things that reflect you and your loves.”
Another element that’s showcasing the trend against all things sterile is trim design. In 2024, wainscoting, decorative mouldings, baseboards and crown moulding are all adding charm and interest to interiors. Unique focal points are being created with contrasting trim colours and the use of mixed materials.
Creating a home that embraces and reflects you and your family means integrating items that hold personal significance or tell your story. This could include family heirlooms, souvenirs from travels, artwork created by loved ones or items that represent your hobbies and passions. If you have a collection of something — whether it’s books, vinyl or pottery to provide just a few examples — find creative ways to make this collection part of your interior decor.
Decor is ultimately a choice and one of the things we love most about 2024’s trends is that there’s something for everybody. If quiet minimalism isn’t to your taste, then you can explore maximalism 2.0. While maximalism at its core can feel overwhelming, the larger-than-life style gets easier to love thanks to the caveat that comes with 2.0: adherence to a cohesive colour palette. Clashing patterns, graphics, statement wallpaper and bold accessories can work together as long as the key shades tie together. For example, think of mesmerising patterns and motifs united in a cool blue and green colour scheme. Earthy tones (think terracotta, olive green and mustard yellow) and monochromatic shades of grey or pastel hues can also unite to make maximalism work.
The fact that there is an abundance of decor styles trending in 2024 means that there’s a perfect trending style for every home.
2024’s top shapes and textures
Shapes are an important element of the aforementioned quiet luxury. Furniture in classic shapes and silhouettes is trending, largely for these pieces’ symmetry, as well as their ability to be reinvented and reimagined over time through new upholstery.
Comfort is as important as style in 2024, and rounded edges, especially on couches and chairs, are creating ambiences that are soft on the eye and comfortable to the touch. While a room’s focal point can be eclectic, most lines and forms should be sleek and smooth to maintain balance and clarity. Softer angles and curves are in line with nature and create a stunning offset to the rigidity of straight lines and sharp edges.
With that said, art deco elements are also rising to the fore, with their characteristic blend of geometric patterns, rich colours and luxurious materials. There’s a twist though, and the 2024 take on art deco has become known as “updated deco”. The glitz and glamour of art deco can be a bit much at times, and updated deco has toned the style down a notch, blending the geometric patterns and opulent blends that art deco was famous for with a toned-down retro colour palette.
Turning to textures, the best way to describe the top decor trends of 2024 in a nutshell is to talk about interest and detail. While smooth and sleek lines are trending, textures are rich and varied. Velvet remains popular for the depth and richness it brings to a room. It’s a popular choice for upholstery, pillows and curtains.
With the ongoing focus on nature and sustainable materials, it’s no surprise that fabrics like linen, cotton and wool are topping the trends list in 2024. Similarly, rattan and wicker are bringing their natural textural charm to furniture and decor items, with wicker chairs, baskets and light fixtures being immensely popular.
Moving away from nature, metallic finishes are also trending in 2024. From brushed brass and aged bronze to matte black metal, hard textures are adding a modern, sophisticated touch to furniture and fixtures.
It’s not just furniture and throws that are bringing fun textures to interior decor in 2024. Textured wallpapers are turning heads globally, with embossed patterns, metallic finishes and even natural textures being used to bring an extra dimension to living spaces.
What are the top interior colours for 2024?
Any discussion of top interior colours for a particular year has to start with a mention of Pantone’s Colour of the Year. Every year since 1999, the Pantone Color Institute has found a hue that expresses what’s happening in the world and what people’s associated needs and desires are. In 2021, for example, amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pantone’s Colour of the Year was Ultimate Grey, a hue chosen for its ability to quietly assure and encourage feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.
For 2024, Pantone chose Peach Fuzz. In the words of Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Peach Fuzz “echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection…[it is] a shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless”.
There is an array of ways to introduce touches of Peach Fuzz to your home. It’s not a neutral colour, so while it’s probably not the best choice for walls or flooring, it’s perfect for accents and special touches. An area rug, a lampshade or even a feature wall in Peach Fuzz can bring your home the effortless warmth you may have been looking for.
Of course, Pantone isn’t the only trend source with an opinion about what the top colours of 2024 are. Homes and Gardens has compiled a list of colour categories for 2024 that includes, among others, captivating caramels, blissful blues, grounding neutrals, happy sunshine shades and, mirroring Pantone’s take, peachy hues. All these colour families have something in common: they are inspired by or reminiscent of nature.
Natural colours have risen to prominence since 2020, becoming the most popular shades among homeowners. The early twenty-twenties were dominated by earthy shades of green, but blues are becoming increasingly popular palette choices as well. We’re not talking electric blues, but a mix of lighter and darker blues that get paired with creamy whites and wooden accents to create a coastal chic aesthetic.
To touch briefly on the aforementioned sunshine hues, vibrant yellows are trending this year, bringing much-needed positivity into our unsettling times. When someone says “vibrant yellows”, what tends to come to mind is the primary colour in its rawest form. However, vibrant yellows are a spectrum and their cheerfulness is uplifting and rejuvenating.
Golden caramel hues are among the rich neutral colours currently giving whites and off-whites a run for their money. They’re earthy but refined, and create the perfect backdrop for many of the natural materials that earth-conscious designers and homeowners are filling their spaces with. When coupled with wicker, rattan, warm woods and stone finishes, shades of caramel create an earthy look that leads us directly into one of 2024’s biggest trends … biophilic design.
Biophilic design … and why it’s so popular
In the context of interior decor, biophilic design is an approach that seeks to nurture the connection between people and nature. It does so by integrating natural elements and motifs into interiors, with the idea of replicating the serene feelings that you would experience if you were walking through a forest or sitting by the seaside.
At its core, biophilic design aims to bring the peace and tranquillity of outdoor experiences indoors. While adding potted plants and water features can be part of a biophilic design, the overarching philosophy embodies much more than that. As humans, the desire for connection is wired into our DNA, and biophilic designs are about creating homes that connect us with nature.
So, how do you bring biophilic design to life in your home?
First things first: flood your home with as much natural sunlight as you can. Make the most of windows and consider installing skylights in your key living spaces to illuminate your space naturally. While potted plants aren’t the be-all and end-all of biophilic design, they certainly have their place. Bring in different types of plants including flowers and greenery to bring the aroma and freshness of the outdoors in.
When you think about bringing natural elements into your home decor, aspects which naturally come to mind include natural materials like wooden flooring, stone countertops, bamboo blinds and earthy cotton throws — but there are an array of other ways to go subtly biophilic. Here are four of our favourite ideas:
Humans have a deeply entrenched desire to connect with nature. That’s why the feeling of the breeze on your face, the sound of the ocean and the sight of beautiful mountain vistas all tend to have a calming and therapeutic effect. By adhering to the principles of biophilic design, you can harness this effect at home.
Future predictions: top interior design trends for 2025
Many of the trends we’re seeing in 2024 will continue their rise in popularity in 2025. This includes biophilic design, curved edges and a focus on sustainability. New elements we’re predicting for 2025 include splashes of warm colour, an enhanced focus on furniture that multitasks and dedicated wellness spaces.
Unexpected bursts of colour will arrive in our lives in 2025, bringing with them elevated moods and injections of personality into functional spaces. Using the power of colour will help you to create a home that reflects your unique style and brings you joy. The colours on trend for 2025 are warm shades such as honey gold and burnt sienna, grounded by earthy neutrals that complete the look. These warm hues are expected to make their mark, especially in functional spaces like kitchens.
Bright colours are set to make their way into every corner of your home in 2025, with shades like celestial yellow, cherry lacquer, sunset coral and aquatic blue taking centre stage. Over and above bringing cheer to your home, these bright colours are said to mirror the strangeness of nature and to remind us of the urgency of restoring our planet to a state of balance.
Another trend that made itself known earlier in the twenty twenties that’s set to rise in popularity in 2025 is multitasking furniture. For those living in compact spaces, there’s a great need for versatility. Think beds that double as storage units, coffee tables that can convert into dining room tables and couches with built-in charging stations and work surfaces. Imagination is the only limit to innovation, especially when it comes to furniture.
As the global emphasis on holistic health and self-care grows, creating dedicated wellness spaces in your home is emerging as a significant decor trend — and one that is set to rise to further prominence in 2025. Your wellness space can take various forms, from a cosy reading nook or serene yoga corner to a fully-equipped home gym. It should be tailored to whatever helps you and your family escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Your home should inspire you
From quiet luxury and Peach Fuzz to curved shapes and biophilic design, 2024’s trends work together to create a harmonious and peaceful home environment. While 2025 is poised to bring bursts of bright colour, these are tempered by an ongoing trend towards all things natural and holistic.
If you’re looking to buy a luxury home that can become both your family’s haven and a showcase of the latest trends, get in touch with the team from Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty. We’ll help you find the right luxury property for you in any corner of South Africa.
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