6 Home Trends to Get Rid of in 2024, According to Designers

Trends come and go, but saying goodbye to some of the most recent design fads allows you to make way for the new. Plus, it’s an opportunity for your space to feel more efficient, inspired, and like, well, you. With 2024 now here, the new year seems like as good of a time as any to make a decorating change, which is why I asked a handful of designers to share some of the interior trends they’re saying goodbye to in 2024 — plus what may replace them now and in the future.

Just remember good design lies in the eye of the beholder, so if you love the current look of your home, there’s no reason to switch things up. And at Apartment Therapy, we firmly believe that your home is a reflection of you, so you know best! 

With its cool, nubby texture, bouclé has arguably been the “it” material for the past few years. But, if you’re eager to try something new, designer Candace Shure of Shure Design Studio has the perfect solution: Corduroy. “I’ve seen corduroy popping up here and there and every time my team and I spot it, we collectively get excited because we are craving something other than the omnipresent ivory bouclé upholstery,” she says. “It also has dimensionality and a luxurious cozy hand feel that will make it appealing for furniture and accessories in the year ahead.”  

Typically made by weaving twisted fibers like cotton into a dense fabric with raised parallel ridges, or “wales,” corduroy has a unique texture that isn’t as precious as velvet or suede. If you really want to perfect this trend, Shure recommends opting for corduroy in nature-inspired colors such as mossy green, burnt ochre, or mushroom.

Designer Kristina Phillips is also looking to bid bouclé adieu, but she wants to see textured decor paired with lacquered, painted, and patinated brass for “a layered and timeless look.” 

Curved sofas or bulbous armchairs are undeniably cool — and a welcomed break from the boxy frames that put mid-century modernism on the map — but these pieces do have their limits. “An entire room filled with shapeless, curvy pieces may start to look like an amusement park,” Phillips says. Though wall-to-wall rounded furniture may be on the outs, these shape-shifting silhouettes aren’t leaving the overall picture in design anytime soon. Rather, Phillips recommends balancing round pieces with straighter-edged occasional chairs. 

Speaking of curves, some designers say those squiggly accessories, like the Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass, are starting to lose traction. “[There are] way too many knockoffs and cheap copies to keep track of at this point,” notes Molly Torres Portnof, principal designer and founder of DATE Interiors. “It’s such a cool piece, but it’s been done to death over the last few years.”

You’d have to be living under a rock — one without a trace of blush, bubblegum, or baby pink — to be blissfully unaware that Barbie was the main character of 2023. But while life in plastic is fantastic, you might be ready to pop that pink bubble. Enter dopamine decor. “Both trends use color and pattern to create a sense of boldness; however, dopamine design focuses more on the uniqueness of your personality and how you incorporate that into your home,” explains designer Nadia Watts. “Your home should provide comfort and hominess — with dopamine design, you get to brand your space with all that is you.”

Bold, cheery maximalism is the name of the game here, and there’s no one way to incorporate a hit of dopamine into your space. From daring patterns to a rainbow of vibrant hues, this trend is all about what makes you happy. (And if that includes a pop of pink, it can be a stealthy way to keep the Barbiecore fad alive!) 

Watts is ready to veer away from the gray-hued trend. Silvers, steels, and charcoals might be known for their enduring versatility, but there are many go-with-anything colors that can get the job done in a fresher way. 

“Think tinted dark colors inspired by the sky, shimmery and rich tones, and all the shades of blue, from denim to sky blue and beyond,” Watts explains, citing “celestial colors” like retro blue and citrine. “These rich colors create a sense of groundedness and reassurance; they are mysterious yet cozy, bringing a sense of calm to your home.”

Though I love terrazzo as much as the next design enthusiast — its careful, puzzle-like craftsmanship proves that the smallest details can make a big statement — it might be time to take a break from the enduring trend. “Terrazzo has been a great material and can be fun,” says Linda Hayslett, principal designer and owner of LH.Designs. “It’s been used for thousands of years, but in the past few years, it’s become more colorful and kitschier.” 

So, what’s next? Hayslett recommends doing a complete 180-degree transformation and opting for sleek slab backsplashes. “People are becoming more daring and loving some of the new interesting, cool materials that have unique movement, are natural materials, or look like a natural stone,” she explains. “People love having a slab as opposed to tile because it means fewer grout lines and more of a one-of-a-kind art piece.” Admittedly, incorporating a slab backsplash into your home can be pricey, but if you’re looking for an accessible way to start, we have you covered.