Interior designers share 6 living-room trends that are in this year and 5 we're leaving behind

insider@insider.com (Casey Clark )
·5 min read
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  • Business Insider asked interior designers which living-room trends are in and out this year.

  • The experts said earthy tones and brass accents will be popular throughout 2024. 

  • Barbiecore accents, all-white interiors, and large armchairs will be phased out this year.

There's not much we can do about rising home prices and high rent costs — but we can control how we decorate the space we live in.

And now, we're starting with the living room. Business Insider asked interior designers which living-room trends are in and out this year.

Here's what they said.

Custom upholstery is here to stay in 2024.

Green midcentury modern couch below artwork in white living room
If you don't want to buy a new couch, you can try getting the one you have reupholstered.Boris SV/Getty Images

Alex Bass, interior designer and founder and CEO of Art Advisory & Interior Design Studio Salon 21, told Business Insider using custom upholstery to personalize a living room without buying new furniture is so in.

She said more and more people will try "refreshing an old ottoman or making new pillows with some fun prints to bring color and texture" to a home.

Earthy tones are on the rise.

Brown couch in front of window
Brown couches might be more popular than gray ones this year.brizmaker/Getty Images

Claire Paquin, interior designer and founder of Clean Design, told BI that in 2024 we'll see more earthy tones in living-room spaces.

"My clients are attracted to rich hues like forest green, berry, and rust, which make spaces feel inviting and warm," she said.

Grays and cool neutrals will continue to find their way into designs but with less regularity.

LED lighting is trending.

LED lights behind a television
LED lights can be used to change the mood of a room quickly and easily.onurdongel/Getty Images

Paquin said LED lighting will continue to be used in room designs this year because it can be used "for both form and function."

It can give homeowners and renters a chance to explore different ambiance and mood lighting in their space.

She said she's also seen LED lighting used to back-light floating mirrors and placed within walls and ceilings for a custom look.

Brass accents will continue to rise in popularity.

Wooden cupboard with brass handles
You may see storage cabinets with brass knobs and pulls this year.shinpanu thamvisead/Getty Images

Kellie Sirna, interior designer and founder of Studio 11 Design, said brass accents will remain popular this year.

"Brass always adds a bit of glam to a space and warms up the room," she said, adding that we'll likely see the finish on knobs, light fixtures, and even cutlery.

Statement rugs are so in.

Hide rug under patterned chairs
Rugs don't have to be square or rectangle.Duane Osborn/Getty Images

Denise Davies, interior designer and founder of D2 Interieurs, said uniquely shaped rugs are on trend for 2024.

"I'm seeing a lot now with different-shaped rugs — rounded, egg-shaped, etc. — as opposed to just a rectangle," she said. "This immediately gives a space more interest and allows the eye to wander the room rather than fixate on one piece."

We'll continue to see furniture with storage in living rooms.

Storage ottoman under window
Storage ottomans can keep blankets hidden until they're needed.John Keeble/Getty Images

Elana Cline, designer and founder of Carta Creatives, told BI that visual clutter is out, so furniture with clever storage solutions is in.

She said hiding visual clutter "can help keep the mind focused and the room more tranquil."

On the other hand, all-white rooms are still out of style.

White couch in white living room
Rooms can benefit from a pop of color.asbe/Getty Images

Amy Youngblood, founder and lead designer at Amy Youngblood Interiors, said all-white rooms are still out for 2024.

"All-white everything gives the home a sterile look, which lacks coziness and comfort," she said. "Without some pops of color, texture, or contrast, your space will not feel inviting for everyday living and entertaining."

Barbiecore was a fleeting trend.

Pink couch in living room with pink table
Some trends fade fast because they're based on movies or pop culture.asbe/Getty Images

Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home, told BI that buzzy trends like Barbiecore are on their way out.

"It's not realistic or sustainable to overhaul your entire home's aesthetic each time a new buzzword hits the social-media sphere or a popular new movie comes out," she said.

Monochromatic color schemes are fading out.

Beige living room with beige couch and rug
Too much of one color isn't always a good thing.John Keeble/Getty Images

Youngblood said we'll see fewer monochromatic color schemes in living spaces this year. They're just not exciting enough.

"It's so important to mix textures and blend in contrasting and bolder elements to create an interesting space," she said.

Black interiors won't be back in 2024.

Black living room with leather couch
Black isn't much of a carefree wall color. tulcarion/Getty Images

Young said we won't see the color black in living rooms much this year.

"People are increasingly drawn to calming, brighter, more carefree colors in their homes as a way to relax and recharge in their space, so I think we'll see less use of black as the primary color in a room," she told BI.

Chunky armchairs are a thing of the past.

Gray armchair
Chairs with thick arms can look dated. Suchada Tansirimas/Getty Images

Interior designer Kate Dawson told BI that furniture with big arms will not be trendy by the end of the year.

"Furniture with huge arms won't be sticking around in 2024," she said. " … it feels clunky and dated, and people want more refined and elegant pieces these days."

Read the original article on Business Insider