Scrolling social media is a great source of inspiration for home interiors, but what trends are popular this year and how can we translate these ideas into our own homes? Steve Hird, Director and Co-Founder of show home interior design specialist Edward Thomas Interiors, shares his insight…
TOP TREND #1 − DOPAMINE DECOR
The carefully curated look is out and instead, home styling is leaning towards bold, deliberately mismatched designs that embrace vivid colours. Homeowners are seeking interiors that bring them joy and a sense of carefree living. This is the next iteration of the maximalist trend, which is now extending to wall treatments, fabric choices and accessories. Expect to see colourful rugs, bright upholstery and quirky furniture.
TOP TREND #2 − CIRCULARITY
Our collective commitment towards sustainable living remains strong, meaning we’re uber-conscious about material choices, favouring those which ensure the longest lifespan. Natural materials such as wood, stone, linen and wool will all be prominent and, when layered together, create chic and earthy interiors. Part of this trend is incorporating more secondhand, upcycled or repurposed pieces, particularly furniture and accessories.
TOP TREND #3 − ABSTRACT ART
Moving away from the Matisse-style line drawings that were dominant last year, abstract artwork will feature heavily throughout 2024. Think shapes that are free form and individual. We’re not just talking wall art here either, lampshades, objet d’art and occasional furniture will all follow this aesthetic. For house types with quirky layouts or apartments that need subtle subdivision, abstract art can provide a stylish and eye-catching solution.
TOP TREND #4 – COLOUR EXPLOSION
Alongside “Sweet Embrace” (a delicate pink) and “Peach Fuzz”, which were named the 2024 Dulux and Pantone Colours of the Year respectively, two more colours to watch out for are yellow and silver. The darker shades of the yellow family (mustard, ochre, etc) that have been a staple of recent times are making way for softer, comforting shades like straw and butter. Similarly, silver is set to make its comeback alongside aluminium, chrome and stainless steel. We expect to see this in light fittings and kitchens the most.
TOP TREND #5 – SELF-CARE SPACES
Homeowners have let go of traditionally badged rooms and are preferring to make spaces that suit their lifestyle. Embracing “self-care” spaces, somewhere restorative that supports mental and physical wellbeing, is a rising trend. This might mean turning a study into a craft room, a guest bedroom into a home office, gym, library or child’s playroom, and not forgetting “spathrooms” ie bathrooms with spa-like decor! So how can first time buyers introduce these trends into their homes, especially as after all the costs associated with the house buying process have been met, there’s likely only limited budget remaining?
BE SPACE SMART
Most new build homes follow an open-plan layout, so try to avoid creating pinch points with bulky objects or furniture. This ensures the home’s logical flow can still be followed. You can subtly subdivide or “zone” these spaces with abstract art and lighting to allow for different activities such as relaxing, dining or home working. We also advocate vertical thinking in apartments and open-plan areas. TVs, drinks stations and shelving can all be wall-mounted while bar storage, hanging planters or pot and pan racks can be added to ceilings as stylish storage solutions. Remember not to overlook any underutilised or transitional spaces either. Under the stairs, landings, hallways and alcoves make great spots for a self-care space. You could add a ladder desk to make a home office, or an occasional chair and side table to create a cosy spot for reading, listening to a podcast or crocheting!
WONDERWALL(S) AND FOCAL POINTS
Wallcoverings are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to transform a room, and they don’t have to include all four walls! Feature wallpapering and panelling immediately adds a luxe look and is certainly one way of introducing dopamine decor into your home. But one of the most versatile treatments is painting. This can be applied in many ways, from full and half-height walls to abstract shapes and colour block panels. Here’s when you can use some of 2024’s most sought-after colours to create a focal point, for example behind the bed, to frame a picture gallery or simply to inject personality into smaller rooms such as cloakrooms and utilities. Don’t forget to look up too, painted ceilings or ceiling canopies can add depth or make a child’s bedroom more playful.
RE-USE, REPLACE, UPCYCLE
Fast furniture is similar to fast fashion. It costs less, but you have to replace it quicker. By changing your thinking, embracing circularity and investing in secondhand furniture you can achieve surprising results more sustainably. Painting, reupholstering, decoupaging or stencilling all, or part, of a piece of furniture can really give a new lease of life, think chair seat backs, table legs or cupboard doors. Then of course there’s upcycling. Repurpose smaller items such as rattan plant pots into lightshades, or what about using old gin bottles as candle holders? You can be more inventive with larger pieces too – make a desk from old fruit crates and timber, join two breadbins together to make a “breadside table”! By layering these alongside newer pieces, you’ll give your home its own identity.
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