Don't be surprised if your Instagram feed shows fewer photos of minimalist, sleekly designed rooms and more photos of warm, textured, and sometimes whimsically decorated bedrooms and living rooms.
Of course, no one wants to choose furniture and decor based solely on trends. But if you're looking to refresh your room, you also don't want to invest in items that look outdated. We spoke to six of her interior designers to find out what they'll be adding to and subtracting from in the new year.
Texture, organic accents
Elana Mendelsohn, owner and lead designer at Elana Designs in Potomac, said bouclé, fringe, wicker and other textured touches will be big, adding: “More mixed media art, more three-dimensional We will be using upholstered pieces with details and natural elements.” ”
Organic shapes are also on the rise. “There will be a greater desire for imperfections in interiors,” said Kevin Billings, founder and principal designer at Dexter & Plaid in Leesburg. “I see a move away from pieces and elements that feel streamlined or minimal.” Billings also expects to see more use of organic details, such as wood, hand-woven textiles, and lime washes. “All these textures create a warm, layered, and curated space.”
sustainable choice
Laura Hur, owner and lead designer at Lorla Studio in Kensington, says sustainability is “no longer a trend, but an important element for most homeowners.” Consumers continue to pay close attention to how their design choices impact both their health and the environment, and are increasingly turning to handmade craftsmanship and local pieces instead of mass-produced items. Hur predicts demand will continue to grow.
“We love designing custom furniture and architectural solutions for our clients, so this is probably the trend we're most excited about,” she says. “Homeowners will be provided with unique solutions that are perfectly tailored to their spaces, and designers will be able to unleash their creativity while collaborating with artists in the industry.” Even better: With bespoke furniture, she says, “you're creating an heirloom that will hopefully stay in your family for generations.”
Heirlooms that are already in existence are also making a comeback, which is perhaps not surprising considering how popular flea markets and flea markets are, especially among younger generations. “We're seeing them increasingly being incorporated to bring memories, familiarity and togetherness,” says DC interior designer Paul Colley.
Sustainable, natural materials and finishes will become ubiquitous as well, says Hur. “We envision working with artists and craftsmen to find new uses for familiar finishing materials like clay lime, tumbled tile, and cerced wood.” Butcher block countertops, pine furniture, and natural stone pieces. A large influx is also expected.
More lamps, less recessed lighting
According to Silver Spring interior designer Shannon Clare Smith, table lamps will literally be shining by 2024. “Do you have a blank hard surface in your room? Turn on a lamp,” she advises. “Don't be the one in your friend group who relies solely on overhead lighting. Friends and family don't want to feel like they have to wear shades indoors.” It is said that the soft light it produces instantly makes the space cozy.
When it comes to overhead, Sarah Swab hopes recessed lighting in renovations and new construction will become a thing of the past. “Recessed lighting certainly provides bright light, but it cuts through the ceiling in an industrial way, creating harsh downward light and causing unappealing shadow puppetry,” says the Washington, D.C., founder of Story Her Collective. cum creative her director explains. Is there a more aesthetically appealing alternative? Freestanding flush mounts are great for kitchens, mudrooms, and bathrooms, says Swab. She or she can also use other decorative yet functional options such as chandeliers, floor lamps, sconces, pendants, or even table lamps.
whimsical touch
Mendelsohn said “fun and whimsical” classic elements such as curves and scalloped edges will increasingly be incorporated into contemporary designs. Smith, too, is seeing an increase in what she calls “opposite ends of the spectrum” designs: rooms with traditional furniture and contemporary sculptural accents. “A great example is the combination of a traditional English roll-arm sofa with skirted fringes and an ultra-modern, ultra-sculptural light fixture from 1960,” Smith explains. She says, “Combining oversized colorful graphics and abstract art creates a room design that's rooted in the classics but interesting enough to spark conversation.”
Curves are just one way to add a little whimsy to your home. In particular, says Laura Herr, whose maximalist aesthetic has recently gained traction. She's looking forward to seeing more playful drawer pulls, wall moldings, textiles, art and pottery. “We love projects that are sophisticated in design but don't take themselves too seriously.”
Moody black and gray
Paint company Behr has named 'Cracked Pepper' its color of the year for 2024, and Hur sees this as a sign that black and dark gray tones will become more popular over the next 12 months. “They're building on modern spaces while also modernizing more traditional spaces,” Herr says. “There are few interiors where dark charcoal or black colors are not suitable.”
This article appears in the January 2024 issue of The Washingtonian.
