In Fall/Winter 2024, the houses will be more confident and cheerful, with strong retro references and a playful and youthful color palette.
As the year comes to a close, the ’70s revival will be even more evident as we embrace the fun and optimism of that era. We also enjoy decorating with vintage and secondhand pieces, but also find fulfillment in rolling up our sleeves and tackling DIY projects.
Below, ten design experts share their thoughts on what they believe are the most important interior design trends for fall and beyond.
Vintage and second-hand
The long overdue migration of vintage and antique dealers to the internet has made second-hand shopping easier than ever. Older items also have their charm, their patterns, colors or silhouettes set them apart from furniture and household goods from the high street.
“People really appreciate how historic objects can add warmth, history and soul to their homes,” says interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke. “Recently, I’ve been focusing on reclaimed surfaces and second-hand furniture in my work. My clients are increasingly keen to ensure their homes are as eco-friendly as possible and are prioritising swapping new furniture for quality antiques in a similar price range.”
Harriet Pringle, founder of Narchie, a treasure trove of vintage and antique furniture and homewares, believes that buying second-hand and vintage items is the most sustainable way to shop for your home. “It breathes new life into things that would otherwise be thrown away,” she says. “Recycling homewares can be complicated as many items are made from a mix of materials, making them difficult and sometimes impossible to recycle. By reusing homewares, we reduce the number of items going to landfill. It also means fewer environmentally damaging resources are used to make new items.”
The hidden kitchen
Clever storage solutions will never go out of style, but they are increasingly used to hide bulky appliances that detract from the aesthetic value of a kitchen.
‘All these everyday gadgets like coffee machines, air fryers, miracle products – we need them and use them often, but we don’t want to see them sitting around in our beautiful kitchen. So it’s about storing and hiding these everyday functions,” says Melissa Klink, Creative Director at Harvey Jones.
Today, pantries and pantries with floor-to-ceiling shelves often contain dried foods and vegetables, as well as microwaves and toasters.
“We’re seeing homeowners create elements of surprise by hiding appliances while also creating stylish coffee stations and minibars that are perfect for entertaining guests,” says Nicolle Whyte, design director at Olive & Barr. “Open shelving still has its place, although more for decorative items like art and ornaments rather than kitchenware.”
Great big sofas (and great big armchairs)
Our love of slim and spindly mid-century sofas is fading and big, soft sofas are in. Huge U-shapes, wraparound corner sofas and an endless number of add-on modules invite you to sit, relax, lie down, snuggle and entertain as many guests as you like.
“We’re seeing a shift in sofa sizes. While 3-seaters are on the decline, demand for 3.5- and 4-seater models is increasing. It seems that customers are drawn to more spacious seating that still offers style and comfort,” says Lena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Presentation at Barker and Stonehouse. “Modules can be rearranged to create different arrangements, from expansive sofas to cosy corners. They offer design variety, allow for playful arrangements and are a smart long-term investment for those who expect their needs to change.”
The partner of the large sofa is the large accent chair, which is somewhere between an armchair and a loveseat in size. It is an inviting place to sit and enveloping in its shape – the cushions are usually oversized and extra thick – and is often designed as a bold accent in a striking color or pattern.
“An accent chair allows you to make a statement with your furniture and completely change the feel of the room,” says Victoria Foster, interior designer at ScS. “In recent years we’ve seen a clear trend away from matching sets and towards mismatched furniture that has been carefully chosen together.”
The 70s revival
The relaxed style, natural materials and earthy tones of ’70s interior design have found new life in recent years. “’70s interior design is making a big comeback. This decorating style is relaxed and fun, and evokes the free spirit and optimism of the ’70s,” says Matilda Martin, trend specialist at Lick.
“Use a combination of vibrant slogans, ’70s prints and modern graphics to add character to a room and make it your own,” says Vicki Walker, product manager and trend expert at Hillarys. “Confident, free-flowing shapes such as curves and abstract designs will be at the forefront of homeware patterns, with velvet a key material. This trend is all about pleasing yourself, being uncompromising with your design choices and decorating to your own taste.”
In terms of colour profile, the 70s trend is rich and earthy. “A 70s-inspired home exudes warmth, especially through its colour scheme. People are bringing the groove and energy of the 70s into their homes by incorporating earthy browns, terracotta reds and oranges (think Licks Red 03 or Orange 02 on your walls) and opting for subdued lighting in the form of the iconic mushroom lamp,” adds Matilda.
Butter yellow
Bold yellow is becoming increasingly popular in the home – bright white has been replaced by neutral wheatfield tones on the walls and our love for mustard yellow continues.
In 2024, we’ve found a happy middle ground with butter yellow. Michael Rolland, managing director of The Paint Shed, calls it “a buttery magnolia shade that’s inviting and warm, welcoming people into your space.”
Butter yellow is used in a clever monochromatic way – a single shade spread across walls, floors and furniture to create a room that looks as if it is permanently bathed in sunlight.
Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village, calls these shades “bold yet subtle as they gently introduce pops of color and fill your home with the invigorating warmth of nature’s color palette. Combine a base of sandy neutrals with bold reds, fresh pops of soft pink and nourishing forest greens to create a warm and inviting scheme.”
Quiet luxury
Quiet luxury had all the hallmarks of a short-lived TikTok trend, but its insistence on quality, craftsmanship and understated elegance has found a natural and lasting home in interior design.
“The term originally comes from the fashion world, and we increasingly hear people talking about quiet luxury in interior design,” says Melissa. “In our own homes, we translate this term by focusing on the quality of the materials chosen and letting them dominate the style of the room. The mix of unique finishes creates spaces that immediately look elegant and softer due to the layered combinations. Nothing flashy.”
Quiet luxury is the opposite of exuberant maximalism, which fills a room with color, patterns and lots and lots of things. It is not quite minimalism either – Things are not the enemy, but they are chosen with caution, care and moderation and over a longer period of time.
DIY wall paneling
The epic DIY makeovers of social media’s most popular renovators (read about our favorite home renovation accounts) have made us believe that we, too, can tile our own floors and paint our own kitchen cabinets.
The slightly simpler task of wall panelling has become the most popular DIY project (read our easy DIY wall panelling guide) and social media has become a source of inspiration – search the hashtags #wallpanelling and #wallpanellingideas to see what other people have done.
“The DIY project has gained a lot of traction online, with over 23.8 million TikTok users seeing how much of a difference adding wall paneling can make in a room,” say interior designers at Stelrad. “By adding wood panels to an accent wall before painting it, the high-end appearance instantly adds a touch of luxury and helps you achieve a premium feel without spending a lot of money. Many people choose to add paneling in the bedroom behind the headboard to create a focal point that suits a variety of aesthetics and adds new textures to a plain surface.”
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Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decorating, with a particular interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping and all things colour. Her work has been translated extensively by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has worked in the furniture and homewares industry for over a decade as a writer, FF&E designer and many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
