The Trends Outlook Report by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the first of a three-part outlook series on interior design. The report is a collection of research from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Pew Research Center, and ASID's own survey research.
The findings of the 2024 report show an ever-present importance for community, connection, and authenticity. Here is the breakdown of all 11 design trends:
Top 11 Interior Design Trends for 2024
1. Living with and learning from Gen Z
Gen Z, shaped by a unique set of challenges and experiences, seeks genuine connections and prioritizes spaces that foster community and social impact. Designers need to be mindful of their evolving values and concerns to create meaningful environments that resonate with this influential generation.
“Gen Z seeks genuine connections, and as this generation enters and occupies consumer culture, designers should be familiar with their evolving empathies and concerns.” — The Trends Outlook Report
2. Solo living and seeking connection
With the rise of single-person households, the need for connection within the home takes center stage. Designers are responding by emphasizing kitchen islands as social hubs and living spaces that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor environments, fostering easy gathering and a sense of belonging.
“With solo-living on the rise, Americans are seeking connectedness to loved ones and their communities.” — The Trends Outlook Report
3. Comfortable and connected living
Friendship remains a vital concept across generations, and spaces are evolving to reflect this desire for camaraderie and comfort. From expansive kitchen islands that double as dining areas to living rooms with doors that open onto patios, the focus is on fostering connections with loved ones and furry friends, with pet-friendly materials and durable designs becoming increasingly important.
“Designers can support the comfort and camaraderie occupants desire by creating opportunities for gathering in the home, incorporating pet-friendly products, and designing spaces for amusement and ‘eatertainment’.” — The Trends Outlook Report
4. Health & wellness
Wellness takes center stage in 2024, with consumers prioritizing natural, clean products and spaces that promote their health and well-being. Spa-inspired bathrooms and sleep-focused designs provide havens for relaxation, while the growing “sober-conscious” trend reflects a broader focus on mindful living.
“Consumers will spend more on the products that improve their health and wellbeing. Designers must consider this self-care push, including harnessing sleep data to support more rest for occupants.” — The Trends Outlook Report
5. Quiet luxury
Luxury takes a shift towards personalized experiences and meaningful connections. Consumers are investing in timeless pieces that hold personal value and prioritize immersive experiences that leave a lasting emotional impact. This shift away from trendy items reflects a growing desire for sustainability and mindful consumption.
“Consumers seek a more low-key and personalized approach to luxury, investing in items that have more longevity and relevance—a more sustainable way to shop, as well.” — The Trends Outlook Report
6. Blurred lines in travel
The lines between living, working, and playing are blurring. Alternative accommodations and hybrid work models necessitate multifunctional spaces, from “eatertainment” areas in residences to co-working spaces and rooftop bars in corporate offices. Design becomes multifaceted, catering to the shifting needs of a world where work and leisure seamlessly blend.
“Alternative accommodations are on the rise, with guests blurring the lines of living, working, staying and playing.” — The Trends Outlook Report
7. A custom approach to today's workplace
Hybrid work demands a personalized approach to office design. Designers need to cater to the diverse preferences of different generations. Millennials embrace the flexibility of hybrid schedules, while Gen Z and Boomers often seek the professional mentorship and social interaction found in the office environment.
“Designers have the opportunity to help organizations create a more personalized approach to their hybrid work strategies, with physical spaces that support employee productivity and balance collaboration with focus.” — The Trends Outlook Report
8. AI technology
Artificial intelligence revolutionizes the design industry, offering personalized experiences and optimizing spaces for functionality and sustainability. Generative AI creates floor plans, designs, and even manages energy efficiency, pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve.
“Generative AI applications are being used in a variety of applications, such as generating floor plans, design iterations, occupancy and energy models, among other solutions; others are using it to increase autonomy and create experience-driven design.” — The Trends Outlook Report
9. Digital marketing in design
Mobile advertising reigns supreme, while social media platforms become a haven for thought leadership and employee advocacy. Businesses embrace their own employees as brand ambassadors, leveraging their voices to reach new audiences and influence marketing strategies.
“Employers, including designers, can look to their own workforce for advertising, as many employees are communicating and advocating for their brands on social media. ” — The Trends Outlook Report
10. Extreme weather event and climate impact
Climate change becomes a tangible reality, influencing consumer choices and design trends. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, sustainability takes center stage. Consumers support renewable energy solutions but remain hesitant about drastic lifestyle changes, creating a challenge for designers to create environmentally conscious spaces that resonate with diverse needs.
“Two-thirds of Americans say that they've experienced at least one of the five types of extreme weather (heat wave, flood, drought, wildfire, rising sea level), in the past year. Americans support making changes to address global climate change and prioritizing renewable sources—and designers have the power to contribute to these solutions.” — The Trends Outlook Report
11. Sustainability rules
The future of work prioritizes high-quality, low-carbon spaces to attract talent and comply with changing regulations. Investment in sustainability tech surges, allowing for better metrics and reporting. Designers who can help clients meet their sustainability goals and create holistic environments that support individual health, community well-being, and environmental stewardship will hold a competitive advantage in the years to come.
“Designers who can help clients meet their sustainability targets of high-quality, low-carbon workspaces will have a competitive advantage. Recognizing the interconnectedness of individual health, community health, and environmental stewardship also pays a key role.” — The Trends Outlook Report
The Trends Outlook Report is available for download for ASID members and is available to purchase on their website for non-members.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jan 24, 2023
Top 10 cities for downtown living in 2023
Based on cost of living, apartment options, entertainment, safety, and other desirable urban features, StorageCafe finds the top 10 cities for downtown living in 2023.
Industry Research | Dec 28, 2022
Following a strong year, design and construction firms view 2023 cautiously
The economy and inflation are the biggest concerns for U.S. architecture, construction, and engineering firms in 2023, according to a recent survey of AEC professionals by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
Self-Storage Facilities | Dec 16, 2022
Self-storage development booms in high multifamily construction areas
A 2022 RentCafe analysis finds that self-storage units swelled in conjunction with metros’ growth in apartment complexes.
Industry Research | Dec 15, 2022
4 ways buyer expectations have changed the AEC industry
The Hinge Research Institute has released its 4th edition of Inside the Buyer’s Brain: AEC Industry—detailing the perspectives of almost 300 buyers and more than 1,400 sellers of AEC services.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 13, 2022
Top 106 multifamily housing kitchen and bath amenities – get the full report (FREE!)
Multifamily Design+Construction's inaugural “Kitchen+Bath Survey” of multifamily developers, architects, contractors, and others made it clear that supply chain problems are impacting multifamily housing projects.
Market Data | Dec 13, 2022
Contractors' backlog of work reaches three-year high
U.S. construction firms have, on average, 9.2 months of work in the pipeline, according to ABC's latest Construction Backlog Indicator.
Contractors | Dec 6, 2022
Slow payments cost the construction industry $208 billion in 2022
The cost of floating payments for wages and invoices represents $208 billion in excess cost to the construction industry, a 53% increase from 2021, according to a survey by Rabbet, a provider of construction finance software.
Mass Timber | Dec 1, 2022
Cross laminated timber market forecast to more than triple by end of decade
Cross laminated timber (CLT) is gaining acceptance as an eco-friendly building material, a trend that will propel its growth through the end of the 2020s. The CLT market is projected to more than triple from $1.11 billion in 2021 to $3.72 billion by 2030, according to a report from Polaris Market Research.
Contractors | Nov 30, 2022
Construction industry’s death rate hasn’t improved in 10 years
Fatal accidents in the construction industry have not improved over the past decade, “raising important questions about the effectiveness of OSHA and what it would take to save more lives,” according to an analysis by Construction Dive.
K-12 Schools | Nov 30, 2022
School districts are prioritizing federal funds for air filtration, HVAC upgrades
U.S. school districts are widely planning to use funds from last year’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to upgrade or improve air filtration and heating/cooling systems, according to a report from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. The report, “School Facilities Funding in the Pandemic,” says air filtration and HVAC upgrades are the top facility improvement choice for the 5,004 school districts included in the analysis.