Out with the old, in with the new. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the interior design world this year, and we’ve got some predictions for the year ahead. Prepare to let go of the distinct and deep reds of 2023, and the organic green hues we’ve seen take pride of place in recent years. The year ahead promises a fresh canvas for design enthusiasts, filled with exciting possibilities.
2024 is all about finding new innovative ways to invoke feeling and emotion through colour, texture and materials in your home. Though this concept isn’t new, there's been a noticeable shift in our desires recently. We're seeking comfort, reassurance, and a deep connection to our surroundings. Predominantly, we want to feel a sense of belonging, and to surround ourselves with positivity.
Warm neutrals
It’s all about warm, inviting neutral tones in 2024. Think terracotta and buttery tones, with light blue expected to be a popular accent colour. Paint brands like Pantone are showing their appreciation for this colour palette, announcing their Colour of the Year for 2024 - “Peach Fuzz”, an inviting and warm peach tone. Pantone boasts that the colour “brings a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.” It certainly promotes a vintage, quietly sophisticated vibe for the year ahead, and we love it so much that we’ve dedicated a collection of gorgeous, peach-inspired artworks to it!
Another paint brand that hopped on the warm neutrals trend is Dulux, who announced their Colour of the Year to be “Sweet Embrace”, a delicate, flexible pink that can create a space that feels personal, cosy and welcoming.
To complement these tones, we can look to nature to create warmth with earthy, stony tones, natural materials and layered textures. Sustainability remains a crucial aspect of interior design, and we should always be sure to show respect for the natural world through our choices. Sculptures like Ivan Stoyanov’s “A Moment of Eternity” can add a touch of the natural energy to your indoor sanctuary, providing organic shapes and a sense of movement to the room.
Coastal-inspired hues
In 2024, we’re leaving behind those alluring deep reds, and embracing something rather more welcoming - the tranquil and soothing essence of the seaside. It’s a joy to see so many paint brands select light, open blues for their Colour of the Year, including C2 which has selected “Thermal” - describing the colour as “encapsulat[ing] elements of air and water, it serves as a poignant reminder of our interdependence with nature and the importance of sustainability in our daily lives.”
Philippa Radon, interior designer and C2 paint colour specialist, continues: “In terms of transitioning this colour into your home with the best results: ceilings, cabinetry, laundry space or pantry, children's spaces, meditative areas - we like to think of the mood and spirit of the room - the intention and desired ‘feel’ behind a colour choice, knowing that first works best and is a steadfast guide.”
Sherwin Williams also went with a light blue hue this year - the gorgeous “Upward”, which they described as “a breezy, blissful blue.” And — a personal favourite — Benjamin Moore has chosen Blue Nova for their Colour of the Year, a darker and more mysterious choice that blurs violet and blue, which we think would look stunning as a feature wall.
You can expect this coastal trend to make waves in 2024, bringing the cool blues of the ocean, soft sandy neutrals, and hints of seashell pinks into your home. These colours create a serene and breezy atmosphere that is reminiscent of seaside towns and coastal farmhouses. Layering these shades through furniture, textiles, and wall art adds a sense of calm that's perfect for both beachfront homes and urban dwellings yearning for a touch of coastal charm. So, dive headfirst into this trend, and let the coastal-inspired hues wash over your living space, turning it into a seaside retreat right at home.
The opportunities are endless when it comes to adding coastal elements into your space, whether you choose to go full seaside, or reserve it for the finer touches. But one of the more obvious ways is through landscape paintings dotted about your home. We love Tatyana Fogarty's "Granite Coast of Garrapata", which encapsulates the calming energy of the ocean, balanced against the ruggedness of rocks.
Scandinavian Influence
2024 will see a renewed interest in Scandinavian design, incorporating those warm neutrals and light blue accents for a welcoming home space that feels like an embrace when you walk into the room.
Scandinavian interiors are synonymous with neutral colour schemes and minimalist, monochrome decor. However, this is just one aspect of Scandinavian design, and there are a breadth of colours and tones you can use to create a cosy, inviting Nordic-inspired home. You’re likely to see calming shades of white and grey, natural hues such as blush and terracotta, with darker, earthier accent tones like green, blue and rust. The key is to understand how each of the colours you choose make you feel, and match those feelings with different spaces in your home.
Colour isn’t the only element to consider when creating your Scandi-inspired spaces — textures are just as important, from the wall finishes to flooring to soft furnishings and decorative objects, like sculpture. It’s all about creating a pleasing sensory experience in your home, with tactile materials like linen, sheepskin and wool. With sustainability in mind, timber and stone will continue to be popular material choices in the coming year, and a gleam of metal in the finishing touches (think taps, shelving and rustic lighting).
Since the Scandi style is all about minimalism, you can complement it perfectly with some minimalist abstract art on the walls. We’re loving the simplicity of Julie Naima’s abstracts, in particular “The still silence of nature”, which perfectly infuses this year’s colour palette and would make a great addition to any Nordic-inspired living space.
If you’ve already incorporated a lot of colour into your homespace, you might want to opt for more monochrome art to create a feeling of harmony. Anna Pepe’s works such as Forms 04 would work particularly well in this instance - adding an element of curvature to the room.
Stripes
Stripes are likely to make a comeback in 2024, injecting fresh energy and sophistication into spaces. Whether you opt for classic pinstripes, bold, wide stripes, or even playful, irregular stripes, this trend offers endless possibilities for creating visually captivating interiors. Stripes can offer a burst of colour to minimalist spaces, without stealing the spotlight — add them to your cushion covers, throws and art pieces for a look that is thoroughly French.
Whether you're going for a refined, nautical look, or a more eclectic and vibrant vibe, stripes are a versatile choice that can suit any aesthetic. Their revival as a trend is a testament to their enduring charm and ability to breathe new life into interior spaces and artwork. Sean Christopher Ward has been working with stripes in his paintings for some time, to great effect. His piece “Veins of Jade” is perfect for adding just the right amount of stripe to your interior.
Of course, nothing is finished in an interior without art! What you choose to hang on your walls is one of the most personal choices in your home, so be sure to lean into your personality when you make these selections. Or, pick a piece of art you love first and foremost, and design the room around it. That way, you can draw out the colour palette from your favourite artwork as a starting point, and let the art speak for itself.
Hero image credit: VICTO
