Feather your nest in style in 2024, as we share the trends the design experts are flocking to this year
Photographer: Brooke Holm
What interior design trends will we see in 2024?
Now we’ve all heard of Quiet Luxury, maximalist decor and cottagecore. Boucle fabrics and organic shapes have flooded our Pinterest boards. But as we move into 2024, interior design and home decor trends feel to be more about self-expression and allowing your home to reflect how you want to feel.
1. Zellige tiles
These hand-cut Moroccan mosaic tiles aren’t new – they’ve been a staple material for centuries – but the rest of the world is suddenly taking notice. While traditionally laid in intricate mosaic patterns, modern designers are choosing to use zellige in a single hue – the slight variations in colour saturation and texture of the handmade tiles give a sense of movement that machine-made tiles can’t match.
“For us, it’s about adding texture and authenticity to a space. Whether you’re looking to keep a space monochromatic or contrast with colour, zellige being handmade immediately gives it a texture,” says Richard Brasell of Artedomus. While zellige tiles in neutral tones look amazing, the best effect is achieved with gorgeously colourful glazes. “There’s a richness of colour, reminiscent of the spice markets of Morocco, within the glazes,” says Richard.
Zellige tiles courtesy of Tile Space
2. Coloured ceilings
Pass on plain white and treat the “fifth wall” to a stunning colour treatment. Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper says this oft-forgotten surface is an opportunity to add easy interest to a room.
“As a rule, light ceilings feel higher with a sense of space while darker ones feel lower, visually lowering the ceiling can create a more intimate, atmospheric space. Coloured ceilings also add a graphic statement to a room. A pop of ceiling colour with all white walls adds a layer of personality and character while still allowing you to play with colour in your accessories,” she says.
3. Statement floors
Forgotten surfaces might be the theme of the decade, with flooring also getting a chance to shine. Plain concrete, tiles and timber are making way for scene-stealing compositions. Evoke a sense of European grandeur with patterned tile arrangements in natural stone or marble, get playful with coloured concrete or crazy paving, or go for a tactile, handmade effect by taking zellige tiles from the walls to the floor.
Want to make a statement without redoing the floors? Eye-catching rugs also do the trick – look for bold patterns or curved and irregular shapes.
4. Colour drenching
A trend that gained traction in 2023 and looks set to continue in 2024, colour drenching involves using the same colour across all surfaces in a room – matching drapes, furniture and cabinetry, and painting walls, trims and doors in the same hue. “Because this approach can have a size-enhancing effect, it’s a great option for smaller spaces, either in soft or bold colours,” says interior designer Charlotte Minty.
She adds, “Colour drenching is especially effective as a backdrop to accentuate your artwork.” Though it might seem like a choice for the colour-brave, the effect is calm and cocooning – a modern look with a Zen feel.
5. Seeing red
This fiery hue has been on the shelf for years, but red looks set to move from wallflower to scene-stealer again. Whether used sparingly or wall to wall, red has undeniable main character energy, which Resene marketing manager Karen Warman suggests embracing.
“There is nothing quite like using red as part of a full-throttle, colour-drenched look, where virtually every surface of a space gets steeped in one or more variations of this unmissable hue – especially when lush velvet textiles get added to the mix,” says Karen, who recommends rich wine reds like Resene Pohutukawa, Aroha, Incarnadine and Lonestar (above). If you’re looking to dip a tentative toe into the world of red, Karen says using earthy brick red can bring depth to an airy palette of cream, beige, pink and blue-green. “Just be sure to pick the projects you use red in carefully and pay close attention to how you light them,” she adds.
6. Stripes
“Say hello to stripes and bid farewell to the checkerboard,” says Charlotte. “Classic vertical stripes, but also diagonal stripes, are great looks for interiors. Better still if they are in vibrant colours,” she adds. Expect to see stripes appearing in everything from bedding and cushions to ceramics and wallpapers. Capture the look in painted effects across walls, or for the bold, on ceilings.
7. Heritage luxe
We’re loving materials that hark back to simpler times, from the velvet, boucle and corduroy of the ’70s to the burnished brass, marble and intricately inlaid timber of the Art Deco era.
“The familiarity of heritage references offers subliminal recognition to comfort us in what feels like an increasingly challenging world,” says Freedom designer Madeline Morton. “The look is a mashup of past eras and a celebratory mood that encompasses gilded surfaces, inlaid details and playful finishes.” Look out for materials that are decadent and a little extra, she says – heavily veined brown, green or gold marble instead of white and grey; hand-forged brass and bronze; semi-precious stone, marble or brass inlaid into hardwood – with an emphasis on traditional handicrafts and bespoke design.
8. Chrome
The metal metronome is swinging back towards chrome, with this silvery element the perfect material match for playful ’70s and ’80s-inspired interiors, as well as adding a bright and shiny accent to a contemporary scheme.
“The reflective quality of chrome means it not only stands out as design statement, but it can also add a modern feel to a space. Chrome is hard-wearing and comes in different sheen levels if you prefer something less shiny and more matte looking,” says Davina, who reports spotting chrome, silver and mirrored accessories popping up everywhere at Milan Design Week.
9. Home office 2.0
After a few years of push and pull between the office and WFH, some form of hybrid working is now the norm for many of us. But while we’re working from home on the regular, our home offices often haven’t advanced beyond the laptop at the dining table (or bed).
The next evolution of the home office sees us paying more attention to building a healthy home office environment, from paint schemes driven by colour psychology to soundproofing rooms and, most importantly, ergonomically designed furniture that doesn’t look like it was swiped from the office. Expect to see chairs and standing desks that combine supportive function with attractive forms that we’ll actually want to include in our home.
10. Authentic interiors
One-size-fits-all design is out and individuality is the hottest commodity in interior design. “This means committing to interiors that are true to you and your personality,” says Charlotte. “Your interiors should invite others into your world and show what you are all about – the home should be part of you and vice versa.”
This anti-trend movement involves injecting your interiors with pieces that tell a story about your life and your tastes. Look for decor that speaks to you and that you can imagine loving for the long term – vintage finds, custom-made and personalised pieces all fit the bill.
Words: Shelley Tustin
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