Interior designers say layered textures, warm, inviting colors, and an eclectic mix of furniture will be popular in the coming year.
The living room is one of the most important spaces in the house. As the name insinuates, it is a comfortable space for daily living, and often where a household comes together to connect and relax. Because it gets so much daily use, the living room is also where we first see the influences of changing design trends.
Interior designers say we can look forward to getting cozy in the next year with layers of texture, a warm, inviting color palette, and an eclectic mix of furniture. “The goal will be to create living rooms that feel lived-in, comfortable, and inherently welcoming, as opposed to those that might be just for show,” says Cortney Bishop, principal designer and founder of Cortney Bishop Design.
Homeowners’ desire for warmth and authenticity will inform living room design choices in 2024. “We’re seeking even more comfort from our home these days, and ultimately want it to be a space that reflects who we are and how we live, quirks and all,” says Amber Lewis, principal designer and founder of Amber Interiors.
If you’ve been considering a living room refresh, take inspiration from the latest popular styles. These are the living room design trends experts say we’ll be seeing more of in 2024.
1. Vintage Pieces, Artisans, and Heirlooms
Furniture and decor inspired by or made in the not-so-recent past is a must-have living room feature in 2024. “The vintage furniture, art, and decor craze is not new, but we don’t see it going away anytime soon,” says Joe McGuier, co-founder and principal of JAM. “People are really taking the time and energy to seek out storied pieces for their homes that carry history and meaning, not to mention excellent craftsmanship and timeless appeal.”
Heirlooms and vintage and artisanal pieces have an innate sense of familiarity that provides the comfort and meaning we yearn for in our living room. As Betsy Burnham, founder and principal designer of Burnham Design, points out, good design is about balance and fostering a connection between past and present. “Bringing in something timeworn with a historical reference or even a little patina to its finish really grounds things and works wonders to personalize a space,” she says.
2. Eclecticism: Embracing Authenticity
As a result of our desire to create an authentic, personal space, living rooms are expected to take an eclectic turn in 2024. “In the new year, we think the design landscape will continue to shift away from sterile minimalism, inviting us to curate vibrant, eclectic spaces that tell our unique stories,” Bishop says. “It’s all about embracing individuality and weaving a rich narrative through our spaces that reflects the homeowner’s spirit.”
Eclectic style is all about mixing the old with the new, while combining different styles and motifs. Admittedly, it’s easier said than done, as this combination of furniture and decorative pieces can quickly turn into a cluttered mess when not carefully curated. To prevent this, create a focal point to guide the eye and avoid too much of everything. Negative space is your friend, allowing the eye to rest, preventing the space from becoming overwhelming, and letting viewers really appreciate each individual piece of furniture and decor. The trick to making different elements work together is to find a unifying element which you can repeat, like color, pattern, and texture.
3. Texture, Texture, Texture
Layering texture is a technique used by interior designers to add depth and interest to a space and achieve that inviting, comfortable, homey feel we associate with a living space. Combine different textures by choosing a range of material finishes for your home—hard, soft, reflective, and matte—and incorporating soft-furnishings with a mix of patterns and textures into the scheme.
Lewis suggests introducing texture from the ground up. “I always want to have a tactile experience when selecting furnishings, and rugs are such a great opportunity to add not only nuance in pattern and tone but texture as well,” she says. For McGuier, the latest ‘it’ thing is textured walls. “From plaster to upholstery to texture-rich wallpaper, people seem to be realizing that walls don’t always have to be flat, one-dimensional surfaces, but rather another visually captivating element of design that can really engage the senses,” he says.
4. Fluted Details
“Fluted details have been on display at design shows throughout the year, accenting everything from kitchen islands to bathroom vanities to living room furniture,” according to a Houzz trend report. Fluting refers to a set of shallow grooves running along a surface, usually vertically, creating a decorative and sometimes functional detail. The aesthetic goes as far back as the Romans and adds visual texture and interest to the space.
Incorporate fluting details in your living room with a fluted console or coffee table, or add some fluting to panels on a bespoke piece of carpentry or fluted glass in cabinet doors. If you want to turn it up a notch, upgrade your living room with fluted glass wall dividers and doors for light-flooded privacy.
5. Warm Color Palettes
One of the most talked-about trends of 2024 is the warm color palette set to greet us in the coming year. Colors that are considered warm are those with a yellow, orange, or red undertone. Pure blue is a cool color, but a blue with a yellow undertone becomes a warm blue shade. Likewise, red with a blue undertone becomes a cool shade of red. The same applies to neutrals, and it looks like cool grays and stark whites will be making way for warmer neutrals next year, like beiges, creamy off-whites, and rich browns and tans.
“We first predicted this infusion in the kitchen, but the look is beginning to dominate throughout the home to offer a calmer, more welcoming environment,” according to a recent trend report by Houzz. “Designers on Houzz recommend incorporating different tones, textures, and patterns to create a more layered look that also affords a room seasonal versatility.”
Another warm color expected to flood living rooms next year is Pantone’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz. This delicate pinky orange shade was chosen by Pantone to capture our innate need to nurture closeness, connection, and compassion. The color is gentle and cozy and creates a welcoming ambiance. “Promoting feelings of gentle warmth whether appearing on a painted wall, in home décor, or acting as an accent within a pattern, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz infuses our most personalized worlds with a comforting presence,” the brand announced in a press release.
6. Bold Color and Pattern
“It’s possible that 2024 may be the year we see the decline of the white and neutral-colored minimalist interiors that have dominated in recent years,” McGuier says. Bold colors are taking interiors by storm, not only on the walls but also in furnishings, appliances, decor, and modern art. “People are revisiting color as a form of self-expression and personality and are becoming more fearless when it comes to infusing their spaces—living rooms especially—with daring hues.”
For living rooms in need of a hero-piece, Burnham suggests turning to wallpaper to pack that extra punch. “Coming in a wide range of prints and textures, wallpaper is a clever technique to showcase one’s own personality in a show-stopping and timeless way,” she says.
