These Were the Best (and Worst) Design Trends of 2024

Design experts share what’s in and what’s out.

Christine Michelle Photography

Written by Blake Bakkila December 19, 2024

With 2025 just days away, we’re reflecting on the interior design trends and influences that shaped this past year. From the quiet luxury of Pantone’s Mocha Mousse to bold and self-expressive maximalism, there’s a lot to love about the latest fads. But will they endure through the New Year? We tapped interior design experts and asked them about which trends they loved this year… and which ones they’d rather not see in 2025.

Best Trends of 2024

Textured Walls and Decor

“Limewash is hands down one of my favorite trends this year. It’s such a simple, cost-effective way to add incredible texture and depth to your walls. The soft, matte finish and natural movement bring so much character to a space—it feels both timeless and modern. Whether you’re going for an old-world vibe or a cozy, organic look, limewash delivers in the most beautiful, understated way.” —Susie Novak, founder and principal designer of Susie Novak Interiors

“One of my favorites is the resurgence of textured wall treatments like limewash and Venetian plaster—they add such a timeless depth and character to a space. I’ve also loved seeing more sustainable materials and biophilic design being embraced. It’s exciting to see aesthetics aligning with wellness and environmental consciousness.” —Vyanca Soto, owner and principal designer at Market Studio Interiors

“I love tapestries right now. Not only do they bring so much history and texture to a space, they can also add an incredible visual impact. They are like the new art galleries—transforming any wall into a statement piece. I think tapestries will continue to grow in popularity in 2025, as it’s an easy way to bring warmth and personality into a room.” —Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox

Antique Dining Room by Drew Michael Scott

Vintage Vibes

“Ironically, what doesn’t feel dated is vintage vibes—rooms of beautiful, printed linens layered with interesting, one-of-a-kind furnishings and objects that give patina, texture, and a feeling of authenticity.” —Christine Markatos Lowe, interior designer and founder of Christine Markatos Design

“We are obsessed with adding vintage to any space and we are loving seeing more vintage lighting, and vintage furniture being reupholstered to give new life to a space.” —Ashley Clark of Skout Interior Design

“I’d much rather invest in higher-quality pieces that stand the test of time or opt for unique vintage finds that tell a story. To me, it’s all about choosing things that feel personal, rather than jumping on the latest fast-fashion home trend.” —Scott

Natural Stones

“It underscores the story that clients are choosing what really speaks to them and feels right in their homes. This trend has replaced the white quartz replicated marble so often requested for kitchens and bathrooms. Gone is the white kitchen—the elegance of natural stone is perfectly suited to the woods being used for cabinets. Think slabs of burgundy marble for counters and backsplashes in kitchens, book-matched black and white quartzite on shower walls, and illuminated onyx in bars that all showcase the earth’s natural gifts. I see this continuing to gain momentum in 2025.” —Van Zee

“Marble. We love using this organic and just timeless material and we are loving seeing it in all things! Trays, coasters, bowls, lamps—you name it.” —Clark

Bold Hardware Finishes

“2024 embraced bold and highly customizable hardware finishes. I loved seeing homeowners mix polished brass with matte black or even experiment with unique patinas and even raw finishes. It’s exciting because it empowers individuality in home design, hardware becomes a statement piece rather than an afterthought.” —Will Zhang, Director of Design and Product Innovation of Emtek

“I’ve always been a fan of brass, but recently, silver—specifically pewter—has completely won me over. I love the cool, sleek vibe it brings to my home and how it pairs so beautifully with different textures and colors. It feels modern yet timeless!” —Scott

Maximalism

“Nothing can represent your true self-expression in a physical space as much as selecting colors, patterns, art, furniture pieces, and objects that make your heart sing—whether they have any business being in the same space or not. There is a true art to creating a well-balanced maximalist masterpiece from the chaos of endless options. Plus, there’s always a great story attached to the items around a room, making them great spaces for cocktails and conversations.” —Melissa Van Zee, designer and founder of Van Zee Design Interiors

Rich Brown Tones

“After painting my kitchen cabinets brown, I’ve fallen for rich brown tones in home decor. Whether it’s through furniture, accents, or even textiles, brown adds a level of sophistication and warmth. It works in so many different design styles. I see brown as a color that will never go out of style.” —Scott

“Darker and warmer wood tones—loving the richer and different tones of wood. Every wood tone does not have to be the same!” —Clark

Quiet Luxury

“There’s something exciting about seeing luxury details applied to small spaces, like powder rooms or laundry areas. High-end hardware, textured wallpapers, and thoughtful lighting transform these areas into jewels within the home.” —Zhang

“It’s timeless, classic, textured, and layered.” —Clark

2024 Design Trends That Need to Go

Tile Countertops

“Tile countertops are a terrible 1990s trend that’s been creeping back into recently, but honestly, they should’ve stayed in the ’90s where they belong. Sure, they might bring a touch of nostalgia, but let’s not forget how impractical they are. Those grout lines? Total magnets for dirt and stains. With all the seamless, low-maintenance countertop options we have today, why go back to something so fussy? Tiles are great for backsplashes or floors, but on countertops? Hard pass.” —Novak

Neutral Oversaturation

“Neutrals certainly have their place in design, but when a home has little to no color, it feels too bland and lacks energy and personality. I believe in creating a home that’s warm, welcoming, and full of life, so I tend to avoid overly muted or beige-heavy interiors. A little color or texture can go a long way in making a space feel vibrant and dynamic.” —Scott

“While matte black has its appeal, it’s definitely feels a bit oversaturated in its use in everything from fixtures to furniture. It can feel heavy and overly trendy when not balanced with other textures or finishes.” —Zhang

“From oak floors to monochromatic furnishings and wood tones, gray has become an overly saturated palette that has left us feeling flat.” —Lowe

Minimalism

“While I do appreciate minimalism in certain contexts, I prefer a more lived-in, vibrant home. Extreme minimalism can sometimes feel cold or even sterile, like a museum or showroom, which isn’t the vibe I’m going for. I love it when a space feels cozy, comfortable, and full of character. That often comes from layering different textures, colors, and personal items.” —Scott

Bouclé

“Bouclé has gotten just a little bit out of control—we like texture but bouclé on everything…it’s just too much!” —Clark

Ruffles

“Please, no more ruffles. No ruffled bed skirts, table drapes, pillows, lampshades, Roman shades, or the like. Ruffles can’t be taken seriously and over-sweeten a space. And ruffles aren’t versatile; you couldn’t throw a ruffled pillow into a modern space to break the mood like you could a traditional painted silk pillow.” —Van Zee

Fast Fashion and Dupes

“Fast furniture is a trend that boomed during the pandemic and the early years following, but is now slowing down. Disposable furniture has negative impacts, especially on the environment, leading to frequent replacements and increased waste. We’re seeing people opting to invest in pieces for the home that they aim to cherish for the long term.” —Barbora Samieian, co-founder of Sundays

“One trend I didn’t love was the overuse of fast-fashion-inspired decor. While it might be trendy in the moment, it often lacks the craftsmanship and personal touch that make a space truly special. Overall, this year reminded me how important it is to choose designs that are both meaningful and enduring.” —Soto

“I’m just not a fan of cheap dupes. They tend to be so trend-driven and often fade out quickly, leaving you with items that don’t have lasting value.” —Scott

“AI tools are enabling more people to experiment with design, making customization more accessible than ever! But, the downside is that AI-generated designs can lack the human touch, resulting in spaces that feel generic rather than deeply personal.” —Zhang

“Rooms copied from Instagram or Pinterest are OUT! Let’s create our own spaces that reflect you and your life—curated, layered, and one-of-a-kind.” —Clark

These Were the Best (and Worst) Design Trends of 2024