2024 Interior Decorating Trends

It is almost the end of the year already! Can you believe it!?

Next year is a big year for me - the big 5-0!

So, as a 1970s baby it is really interesting to me to see that one of the big decorating trends emerging for 2024 is a 1970s inspired aesthetic.

From a resurgence in earthy brown colours, to ‘busy’ wallpaper designs, read on for my take on home decorating trends for the new year.

Muted Earthy Colour Schemes

When I think about the 1970s (what little I can remember), I think about brown and muted greens and yellows. Clearly I am not the only one, looking at some of the predictions for colours in 2024.

Indeed, Dulux, the powerhouse Australian paint company has selected Guitar (a blend of red tones and chocolate browns) as it’s colour of the year.

We are also very clearly seeing a return to other warm colours, including avocado and mustard yellow. However, unlike their 1970s counterparts, the 2024 versions are muted and somewhat washed out, leading to a more sophisticated look.

In keeping with this look, we are also expecting a return to the popularity of rich reds, plums and burgandies.

Indeed, the days of white on white, or grey are clearly gone, with a focus instead on warm shades that bring warmth to our homes. However, depending on how bold you are, these colours can be applied liberally, or alternatively as accents against a back drop of more neutral colours or even pastels (see below).

Pastels

I did wonder when I watched the Barbie movie, if pastels and pinks would make a comeback. Apparently the answer is yes.

Indeed, in addition to a renewed focus on earthy colours, 2024 also looks like seeing a revival of pastels - particularly shades of pink and green. Muted but not boring, these colours bring fun but class to a room.

Check out both the Pantone and Sherwin William’s colours of the year if you don’t believe me. Both paint companies have selected muted but bold orangey-pink colours for their colors of the year.

Wallpaper everywhere

This is a trend that I really love. I don’t know why, but wallpaper makes me happy.

Wallpaper being on trend is not new - it has been the case for a few years now. However, what we are seeing is a much more liberal use of wallpaper and a change in the style of wallpaper used.

Whereas in the past few years, wallpaper was used as an accent or feature, the trend as we move into 2024 is for wallpaper being used on as many surfaces as possible. This means not just walls, but as a feature inside of a wall or door panel, and even on ceilings. It is a brave new world!

However not only are we seeing more wallpaper than ever, but the trend in style has shifted from large print features to more ‘cottage-styled’ small print wallpaper. Where a few years ago we couldn’t get enough of wallpaper featuring large palm trees, these days it is all about small prints including geometric shapes, flowers and chinoiserie.

Combined together, the look creates a sense of cocooning and warmth. Perfect for those moving into winter, although charming still for those of us in the southern hemisphere. Colour choice makes a difference of course - dark colours will create a sense of closeness, where as a focus on lighter colours for example greens create a sense of the outside coming into the home.

Either way, the days of minimalism are definitely over (for now at least).

Curves ahead

Curves have been ‘on trend’ for a little while now, and based on my current assessment, not likely to disappear anytime soon.

In fact, they are appearing more than ever!

Once isolated to arched doorways (1970s!) or curved sofas, we are now seeing curves everywhere. From benchtops, to wabi-sabi styled sinks, to rounded mirrors and even furniture.

Adding a certain softness to a room, introducing a few rounded edged items into your home is a lovely way to neautralise too many sharp edges. However, I would not recommend going over the top with this trend. If you do, you risk overwhelming your home. That said, rounded items in children’s bedrooms is a great idea as it reduces the likelihood of bumps and falls.

Geometrics

I touched on this when discussing wallpaper, but I think the trend deserves it own discussion as well. Partially because I just love geometric patterns. Not just for wallpapers, but in textile and homewares. There is something about a geometric pattern that instantly relaxes me - I immediately want to follow the pattern to it’s conclusion, blocking out any outside ‘noise’.

Head to www.interiorology.com.au if you would like to find out more about the cushions shown above.

Sustainability - social and environmental

Ok, this is one that I am personally really interested in.

With the world’s population growing every day, and waste management becoming more and more of a pressing problem, I love seeing an inceasing number of businesses looking to incorporate the principles of a circular economy into their production.

In other words, more and more manufacturers are looking to recycle and re-use waste and turn it into amazing furniture and home decors.

From using recycled wood to create aged kitchen tables that tell a story, to refurbishing a buffet or hallway table that is starting to look old and dated. There really is no limit to what you can do.

Then there is the increasing use of plastics and clothing materials that are melted down and turned into some truly unique items of home furniture or homewares. I for will be launching a range of recycled plastic homewares in 2024.

So, what do you think of these predictions? Will you be applying any of them in your home?

If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the Interiorology Homewares products mentioned here, please reach out or head to my website here.