Top Interior Design Trends for 2024 – Authenticity, Trust, Connection
According to a report from ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), the most important interior design trends for 2024 will be based less on things than they will be on people and relationships. Of course, this is not exactly Earth-shattering news; nor is it industry-shattering as ours has been a people-focused trade since approximately – forever!
However, having it outlined so graphically, and with such detail, is quite refreshing. As the report states in its opening, the shift to a more humanistic (in a completely non-political sense) approach to interior design has caused a “transformative” shift in the way we do business.
“Notions of comfort, connection, and blurred lines have impacted the design practice in transformative ways. Amidst the popular discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), celebrity culture, identity, social media, and misinformation, consumers in 2024 will be seeking the real deal – trusted brands that offer a genuine experience. … [further] ‘authenticity’ is a common thread running through the new trends impacting design in 2024.”
Due to space and time considerations (our blog space, YOUR precious time), we will split their list of eleven trends into a pair of blog posts we hope you’ll find compelling.
ASID Trends Outlook Report 2024
And so, taken directly from the Report but in no particular order beyond our preference, we offer the following:
Comfort and Connection – Given their unique values [more on that later], Gen Z is focused on connecting with friends in genuine and meaningful ways. But the concept of friendship is critical to the other generations as well. People of all ages are seeking camaraderie and comfort in spaces that foster a sense of community and connection.
Designers are emphasizing kitchen islands as focal points to be used as both a dining and social gathering space. In living rooms, designers are using large, glass bi-fold doors to open and extend living spaces onto patios, blending spaces and increasing the ease and flow of gathering.
According to a new Pew Research Center study, 62% of Americans own a pet, and nearly all (97%) say that their pet is as much a part of the family as a human member. The prominence of pets has created increased consumer emphasis on durability and pet-friendly products.
Consumers are seeking amusement and entertainment experiences that combine high-quality comfort food with fun activities that foster connections with family and friends. Total recreation spending is expected to grow 10.2% in 2024, according to a recent market report by Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL), a global brokerage firm.
Health, Wellness, and Mindfulness – It should come as no surprise that, “According to McKinsey & Company, wellness is now a $1.5 trillion market globally and expected to grow 10% annually. Consumers seek more natural and “clean” products and have indicated that they will spend more on the products that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.”
With rising healthcare costs, aspects of health and wellness have increasingly shifted to self-care and prevention. With stress recognized as the root cause of many illnesses and ailments, design in residential spaces has responded with relaxation. For example, in single-family residential markets, spa-inspired bathrooms are on the rise, designed as places to de-stress and unwind.
In a world overtaken [by] environmental stress, good sleep is a luxury. Essential to overall health and wellbeing, a good night’s deep rest can bring your body and mind back into balance. Stress and anxiety have impacted Americans’ sleep patterns over the past couple of years, and consumer preferences have evolved. Designers who are familiar with sleep data and how environments affect sleep will be at an advantage to address this issue in 2024.
With an increased focus on health and wellness, more Gen Z and Millennials are “sober-conscious,” embracing alcohol-free drinks. According to Yelp, searches for “mocktails” increased by 137% in 2023, underscoring again the importance of health and wellness in popular attitudes in 2024.
Now, let’s address that whole “Gen Z is unique” in their experiences and values thing, shall we?
Live and Learn with and from Gen Z – “As the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, those in Gen Z have distinctly different priorities than prior generations. Gen Z’s unique set of experiences – from negotiating a pandemic, racial, political, social, and cultural upheaval, gun control and school shootings, police brutality, natural disasters, and war – have heightened their awareness and impacted their priorities. Gen Z seeks genuine connections, and as this generation enters and occupies consumer culture, designers should be familiar with their evolving empathies and concerns.”
Wow, we’re almost overwhelmed by the number of claims to be unpacked in that paragraph. Without going into infinite detail, here are just a few.
Natural disasters and war have been a fact of life since the beginning of both time and humanity. To claim they are unique to a particular generation is both disingenuous, misleading, and likely harmful – especially to that generation.
Recalling the nearly infinite number of times we were all warned by the “experts” and government officials about how the most recent pandemic was as serious, or more serious, than those of the past, “negotiating a pandemic” can hardly be considered unique to Gen Z.
Once again, “racial, political, social, and cultural upheaval” are the stuff of life itself when human beings are involved. It literally boggles the mind how any adult can even make such a claim with a straight face. In fact, doing so can only lead one to believe Gen Z to be the most pampered (or should that be Pampered) generation in existence.
Having said that, what is most important to remember about these claims is that Gen Z believes them to be true. So yes, their belief system is quite unlike previous generations and must be factored into your thinking about your markets and approach to marketing your interior design services and the products you recommend.
Is your mind spinning as wildly as ours were when we first began “negotiating” this collection of factoids from the ASID Report? Perhaps Ted can help you with business consulting services to the trade. If your mind is blown and you need help reassembling it like we did, simply… Contact TD Fall today.