10 Interior Design Trends That Will Define 2024

At Adorno, we have the privilege of being deeply connected to local maker cultures worldwide, a connection that allows us to witness firsthand the evolution of design paradigms through free and explorative work. As we venture into the interior design trends of 2024, we anticipate a year marked by a return to simplicity and honesty in design, accompanied by a resurgence of traditional materials like wood and stone, with seamlessly integrated textures and colorful accents.

The past year has seen a significant boom in the use of natural, raw wood designs, signaling a shift towards more unpolished, and archetypal furniture pieces. This tendency, set to continue into 2024, reflects a broader movement back to basics in the design world. Amidst global stagnation and a sense of déjà vu from the 90s to the 2000s, there is a growing desire for authenticity. The fashion industry, transitioning from flashy to understated, often leads these trends, with design closely following suit. So what are the interior design trends that will define 2024? We have gathered 10 trajectories for you here.

1. Quiet Luxury: An Escape from the Superficial

In a world increasingly disillusioned with the superficial, we predict a move away from extreme, radical designs that prioritize uncommon appearance over function. In the fashion world, the shift towards Quiet Luxury marked a departure from the flashy, athleisure aesthetics of brands like Balenciaga and Gucci, now pivoting towards “eclectic grandpa“. This movement is all about subtlety and understated sophistication. In interior design, this translates to spaces that are refined and elegant, yet comfortable and livable. It’s a luxury that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Designers are gravitating towards typologies reminiscent of past masters like Enzo Mari, Donald Judd, and Lina Bo Bardi, with an added layer of contemporary coziness. This new wave embraces a constructivist, minimalistic style that nods to mid-century modern designs, with an added emphasis on sculptural rather than functional values.

2. Radical Minimalism: Sculpture over Function

2023 saw minimalism evolving into a softer, more approachable style, aka. Soft Minimalism, spearheaded by numerous designers and brands like Frama, Audo, and Norm Architects. As we delve into this new year, a key question arises: How can simplicity where everything melts together in monotones maintain relevance and carve out its own era? The answer lies in what could be termed a new branch of radical minimalism, where pieces are distilled down to their bare essence, bordering on nonfunctional sculpture. In this paradigm, the exposure of structure or features that serve pure functionality becomes an aesthetic in itself, praising the pure material value, and blurring the lines between form and function through non-design.

3. A Nostalgic Hue: The Rise of Sepia Tones

Sepia tones, reminiscent of a bygone era, are making a resurgence, following photography’s move towards shooting on film, lending a warm, moody feel to contemporary design. Perhaps influenced by the past year’s surge of Space Age, a style that emerged in the 70s, where all photography naturally had a certain sepia tone to it. This color palette’s earthy, muted qualities provide a sense of calm and comfort, making it increasingly popular in both fashion and interior design. These tones are particularly prevalent in natural materials, textile upholstery, and paint choices, offering a subtle yet impactful way to infuse spaces with a sense of history and warmth.

4. Rustic Textures: Raw and Unrefined

The appreciation for rustic textures is on the rise, again, but this time with a focus on materials in their most natural and unprocessed forms. This trend celebrates the unique qualities and textures of materials like wood and stone, celebrating the material for what it is, thereby regaining a connection to nature. Carved wood specifically, with its warm and tactile appeal, is making a significant impact. Designers are exploring more fluid, organic shapes, moving away from rigid forms to create pieces that are both visually appealing and comfortable to use. Wooden chairs, sculptural tables, and decorative objects display the natural grain and texture of wood, bringing a piece of nature indoors.

5. Bold Geometry: An Understated Statement

Geometrical forms in design are becoming bolder and more pronounced. This trend is evident in the use of strong shapes and curves in furniture, where designers are experimenting with scale and proportion to create pieces that are both functional and, more of all, sculptural.

6. Cold Steel and Aluminum – In a softer way

Amid these warm hues, industrial metals such as cold steel and aluminum continue taking center stage. These materials, once relegated to purely functional applications, have been celebrated for their sleek and contemporary appeal. Now, we suspect to see more of this material, but in organic shapes that tell the story of the hand that made it, in contrast to the more industrial machine-made feel. We see this in the accent pieces like coffee tables, lamps, and decor. Even in architectural elements where the inherent strength alone brings this aesthetic to the spaces.

7. Mostly Monochrome: But a few pops of color allowed

The palette will not become all beige. With Pantone announcing “Peach Fuzz” as the color of the year, and WGSN announcing something very similar “Apricot Crush“, there’s space for subtle colors, but we predict an increased acceptance for brighter hues, but fewer of them, carefully chosen in monochrome spaces.

8. Sustainability: Also because it looks good

While traditional materials like wood and stone remain central, the exploration of new composites and techniques is set to take center stage. These innovations are not mere gimmicks but are deeply rooted in a philosophy of sustainability and functionality. From bio-based materials to recycled composites, the design world is embracing an eco-friendly ethos without compromising on aesthetic appeal. Sustainability is no longer an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of the design process and decision-making. In 2024, we expect to witness an increasing number of people collecting sustainably. Whether through material choices, production methods, local sourcing, or overall design ethos. This shift is not just a response to the growing awareness and concern for our planet. The Quiet Luxury movement simply allows for natural materials to take up a larger chunk of the palette, making sustainable materials not just a conscious choice but also visually relevant.

9. Intuition: Designing with Emotion, made for Interaction

Design in 2024 is also increasingly focused on user experience, emphasizing emotion and interaction. Designers are creating pieces that engage the senses, evoke emotions, and invite interaction, thereby establishing a deeper connection between the object and its user. Designers like Aleksandra Zawistowska and Lucas Gutierrez are at the forefront of this movement. By partly letting the process and material control the outcome, Zawistowska’s hand-blown glass sculptures from Szkło Studio exemplify this shift. The pieces, spontaneous and unique, bring a gentle, narrative-driven approach to minimalism. Similarly, Gutierrez’s fusion of traditional craftsmanship and his free use of digital methods adds a sense of warmth to high-tech designs, balancing technology with tactility.

10. Eclectic – yet personal

In 2024, design reveals an eclectic fusion of styles, where a resurgence of rustic textures and sepia tones meets the clean lines of modern minimalism. The year sees a distinct move towards designs that emphasize material honesty and functional beauty, steering away from superficial aesthetics. This shift is evident in the blending of bold geometric forms with the understated elegance of traditional materials. Overall, the 2024 interior design trend is characterized by a harmonious mix of classic and contemporary elements, reflecting a deeper appreciation for authentic, emotionally resonant design.

Discover our selection of designs defining 2024