New year, a new batch of home décor forecasts. But given the current economic climate, it’s logical to wonder how much consumers will be spending to achieve the latest interior design trends. The desire to keep up with the latest trends hasn’t changed; affordability will be the key in the near future.
With that in mind, there’s much to be said about how important it is right now to know where your shoppers are economically, what their motivations are and how they’re aspiring to live. Once you have that information, you’ll probably need to adjust your buying, marketing and merchandising to meet those customers where they’re at.
Even those who say they’re not planning to buy home décor in the near future may be inspired by a unique, well-priced item. Affordability is always relative, but now may be the time to diversify the price range of your housewares and collections. And of course, you’ve got to stay on top of the latest style trends.
2024 Interior Design Trends
Mixed metals, deep rich browns and texture seem to be getting a lot of play in interior design forecasts for the coming year. Vintage and handmade items (or at least those that appear to be handmade) look to be popular as well.
“We’re not sick of seeing the artist’s hand and the human touch [in design], especially post-pandemic,” Los Angeles designer Oliver Furth recently told Elle Decor. “Our clients are craving the handmade—whether it’s ceramic tile or hand-carved wood furniture or handblown glass. Human irregularity is soothing.”
Quiet luxury, a trend that peaked last year in fashion, also seems to be getting good attention when it comes to home furnishings and affordable home décor. (Not familiar? Think simple design, high quality materials and an air of effortless sophistication, as in a classically-styled cream cashmere sweater.)
But 2024’s quiet luxury trend doesn’t have to lack color or become too basic. “Maybe it is the ‘quiet luxury’ effect, but I anticipate a trend toward relaxed and casual luxury, specifically when it comes to furniture,” Jen Samson of Jen Samson Design recently told House Beautiful. “Clients will lean more towards comfortable, lived-in furniture rather than smooth, clean and sterile looks.”
Style on a Budget
The quiet luxury trend doesn’t have to have a luxury price tag. Everyone loves a decent quality affordable alternative, at least everyone on TikTok does, when you consider the popularity of dupe hashtags.
Helping consumers stay on trend can also be as simple as offering utilitarian products they need to buy anyway in trending colors. It can also mean diversifying the suppliers or artisans you source from so that you can offer a range of affordable and unique décor items.
When looking for inspiration, consider functional items that are stylish as well, such as the 2-Tier Floating Wall Shelf from Honey-Can-Do and these fluted planters from Japi SA Industria E Comercio.
When it comes to texture and the handmade trend, consider items like the Ojai Baskets from Vietnam Housewares, which are handwoven by skilled artisans and made from sustainably sourced bulrush fibers. There’s also DRAKESTONE Farmhouse Mirrors by TRINITY, which are made in the USA with solid knotty alder wood, complete with natural knots and grains that make each product unique.
