Freshen up!

The main interiors trends for 2024 are all about feeling good in your space, not too surprising when you consider how much of our entertainment is in-house and that so many of us work from home. It’s all about creating a comfortable, relaxing yet inspiring individual space and it needn’t costs a fortune. So here’s what to consider if you’re looking to freshen up your interiors… 

Let’s start with a lick of paint. It’s the cheapest way to breathe new life into a tired interior. Neutral tones and chalky finishes remain popular, but offset with earthier tones and throws to create a warm scheme. Think terracotta shades, ochres and chocolate brown sheepskin rugs. Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2024 is Peach Fuzz, which would work well as the foundation
of a warm interior scheme. 

Feature walls remain in vogue, though anything grey and glittery is now on the way out. Look for calming rich greens and blues to add depth and serenity. Don’t be afraid to go a few shades darker to create a bit of drama. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, you could try an ombré wall by painting three different shades of the same colour from the lightest at the top to the darkest at the base of the wall, then blending to a gradient effect. It might take some practice and you’ll need to work fast, so hiring a painter may be a good plan. Alternatively, wallpaper is back, particularly with richly coloured designs rather than geometrics. 

If you’re in the market for a new sofa and chairs, current designs are curvier than before, though classic and mid-century designs will still look good a decade ahead. Some of Ligne Roset’s sofas, like the Togo, still look remarkably contemporary despite first being created in the 1970s. Have a look at Sainsbury & Sons on Holburn Street or Bo Concept for well-made design classics and fluid modern pieces and storage ideas. If you’re using earth tones, then giant lidded wicker hampers add interest while hiding seven tons of toys and household junk from view and you may want to go with a media wall to keep your audio visual equipment from overwhelming your space. 

Another design feature from the Seventies that is riding high in the interiors chart is the use of houseplants to add interest. It might be a huge statement palm, dramatic foliage plant or a carefully created collection of succulents. Anything goes as long as it’s green! Rooted on Rosemount Place offer an advice service where they will visit your home to tell you were best to place your plants, while Highland Moss are great for succulents and garden centres like Ben Reid and Mains of Drum have a wide range of top quality houseplants and are happy to advise on how to help them survive. 

In general, interiors have moved away from stark minimalism to more individual interiors that reflect the interests and tastes of the people who live there. For some people this involves embracing maximalism, but it can be difficult to avoid this tumbling into hoarding territory, so careful selection and arrangement is necessary. Try creating a gallery wall mixing original art, prints and mementoes, or arrangements of vases, fossils and sculptures on a table. We’d say if it doesn’t spark joy, it should be tucked away, but even Marie Kondo admits that now she’s had three kids, having a space where you feel relaxed, comfortable and can just be yourself is more important than an immaculately organised sock drawer!