NICK COWDY / Residential Sales Consultant, Principal Agent
The home trends we’re seeing for 2024 are a blend of maximalism, individualism, and a heartfelt nod to the nostalgia of decades past. It’s about creating environments reflective of personal tastes, embracing bold design moves, and acknowledging the importance of sustainability in our living spaces.
Maximalism Meets Memory
Design experts point to a significant shift away from minimalist interiors towards a more expressive, maximalist approach. This trend champions the idea of filling your home with colours, patterns, and textures that speak to you, drawing heavily on the influences of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Think deep-toned greens, retro blues, burnt orange, and chocolate brown.
Layering traditional design styles with modern hues creates a rich combination of history and personality in every room. From the allure of patterns to the vibrant clash of bold prints and colours, this trend is about making our homes a reflection of our unapologetically confident design choices.
The Power of Colour and Light
This year, the concept of “dopamine decorating” takes centre stage, as trends lean towards using bright, optimistic hues to inject happiness into our homes. Going bold with colour drenching, using a single vibrant paint colour or a loud fabric design, creates a space that exudes confidence and joy.
Amidst these vibrant expressions of individuality, there’s a growing appreciation for the quiet achievers: neutral tones with warmth, soft textures, and the quality of light that transforms a space into a sanctuary of serenity. Experts are advocating for window treatments that enhance sleep quality, and wallpapers that reflect light to brighten spaces. Sheers and unlined roman blinds are favoured for their ability to diffuse light gently, creating tranquil, restful environments.
Sustainability and Style Hand in Hand
The emphasis on sustainable style becomes increasingly apparent in the aesthetics of 2024. New Zealanders are drawn to natural fabrics and botanical prints that pay homage to the local environment. Integrating sustainable, natural fabrics like linen and hemp into our homes is a great option, not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their environmental benefits.
Wallcoverings made from recycled papers and natural fibres such as linen, silk, and grass cloth represent a commitment to sustainable living, capturing light in unique ways and contributing to the overall feel-good factor of our interiors.
Your Home, Your Canvas
Ultimately, 2024 is about daring to be different and making your home a canvas for personal expression. Whether it’s through the incorporation of saturated colours, the revival of stiff chintz and taffeta fabrics, or the creative use of textures and patterns, the message is clear: don’t be afraid to make bold choices.
From the serene appeal of oatmeal and bone neutrals to the tactile luxury of chunky textured curtains, each element of your home’s design is an opportunity to reflect your individuality and your commitment to a more sustainable world.
In embracing these trends, we’re invited to create spaces that are not only visually captivating but also deeply personal. Whether it’s through the bold statement of colour drenching or the tranquil appeal of handcrafted textures and peaceful palettes, 2024 is about creating a home that tells your unique story.
Your home is your canvas; let it reflect your individuality, your travels, your memories, and your dreams. Embrace the bold, the beautiful, the tranquil, and the sustainable.