The fitted bedroom experts at The Sliding Door Wardrobe have spoken to three interior design experts to determine the “worst” interior design trends for 2024.
1. Extreme stripes
According to the experts, creating a statement within the home is back for 2024 and while stripes may seem like the perfect way to do that, they require moderation and a carefully chosen colour palette.
A striped rug can be a nice touch, but bright stripes on walls can end up feeling like a “circus”.
Sophie Clemson, interior designer and marketing director at The Living House, recommended leaning into a different 2024 trend instead – arches.
She said: “Arches and curves can help soften a room and take away harsh lines. This could be in the form of an architectural feature, such as an arched doorway, or more subtle accessories, including arched floor mirrors.
“You can even create the illusion of an arch by painting curved blocs of colour onto your walls. Especially if you’re looking to decorate a smaller area, curves and arches over extreme stripes are the way to go.”
2. Texture overload
Maximalism is here to stay for 2024, but it can be hard to get right. While multiple textures can help a room feel cosy and lived in, too many types can make a room feel “old-fashioned and outdated”.
Holly Dolan, CEO and founder of HUME Interior Studio, said: “Introduce a few different textures and shapes, like reeded panelling or fluting, mixed with stones like marble and travertine for a beautiful interior palette that isn’t too electric.”
Accessories in striking, metallic colours are another great way to achieve a mix of textures without going overboard.
3. Stale symmetry
Symmetry may seem like a good idea, but it can end up feeling too regimented and impersonal, according to the bedroom experts.
Holly said she is leaving this trend in 2023. She commented: “Gone are the days when walls or furniture have to be perfectly symmetrical to work.
“2024 is the time to take inspiration from the laid-back nature of 1970s interior design. Replace overly neat lines with curved and organic silhouettes and introduce variety with different textures and shapes.”
4. Social media obsessions
When designing a space, it is easy to get caught up in short-lived social media trends which quickly go out of style.
Nicola Rodriguez, owner of Essex House Dolly, commented: “I always advise my clients against buying expensive furniture, wallpaper and textiles in on-trend fabric patterns and colours.
“It’s a better plan to utilise cheaper items, like cushions, throws and blinds, to showcase these patterns and stick to a block colour for other things.”
Holly added: “So often, people will come to me with an idea in their head that they’ve seen on social media. I always encourage my clients to pick something true to them rather than what’s necessarily on-trend.”
5. Brown colours
While the colour palette for 2024 is full of earthy neutrals and coppery oranges, brown can be a particularly difficult colour to style.
If you are incorporating brown into the home, mix with lighter accessories and furnishings to help break it up.
