Since the calendar turned to 2024, the internet has been abuzz with trend reports and home decor predictions that offer a glimpse into what's to come in the world of interior design.
For many people, these lists may seem overwhelming, especially if you don't plan on embarking on a full-scale renovation this year. But don't worry. There are easy ways to upgrade your home by getting creative with a DIY project or two.
Here are seven housing trends that experts predict will be big in 2024, along with DIY projects to help breathe new life into your living spaces.
DIY projects to upgrade your home
Prepare your toolbox. From textured walls to living walls, home renovation experts predict these DIY projects are exactly what you need to level up your home in 2024.
1. Use of recycled materials
(Image credit: Future/Paul Massey)
With more people looking to make environmentally friendly home improvements in 2024, it's no wonder that using recycled and recycled materials is gaining popularity among DIY enthusiasts.
Beyond their environmental benefits, reclaimed and salvaged materials offer a unique “loved” quality that enriches interior designs with texture and depth. For example, the weathered patina of reclaimed wood can seamlessly complement a home with a modern rustic style, while a salvaged fireplace or reclaimed brick can easily complement a modern farmhouse aesthetic. These materials have a timeless appeal and are an ideal choice for enhancing the overall look of your home.
If you're looking for a quick and manageable DIY project that can be completed in an afternoon, consider exploring your local antique market for sets of vintage drawers and turning them into unique plant displays . Alternatively, you can reinvent rustic scaffolding boards as feature kitchen shelving or reimagine tin ceiling tiles as a unique kitchen backsplash.
For those looking to take on a slightly larger project, flip a salvaged barn door and turn it into a statement headboard, or replace regular interior doors and windows with antique shutters for a truly bespoke finish. You can make it happen.
2. Add texture to the walls
(Image credit: ILIV Textiles)
Memories of popcorn ceilings and orange peel walls may hark back to outdated interior design trends of yesteryear, but wall textures are about to make a stylish comeback in 2024.
Infuse your walls with subtle drama by embracing the classic elegance of a knocked-down finish or the rustic charm of lime wash paint. To add warmth, consider decorative plasters such as stucco or tadelakt. The beauty of these unique finishes is that they can be applied to walls using a DIY approach using a trowel or roller, making them a cost-effective way to enhance the look of your home.
And remember, texture doesn't have to be just a tactile sensation. There are many ways to introduce visual texture to your walls. Industry-leading celebrities like Benjamin Moore are putting color-washed walls back in the spotlight this year, and even celebrities like Blake Lively are embracing the trend in their homes.
3. Biophilic home improvements
(Image credit: Future)
“Biophilic design and creating healthier living spaces will be prominent trends in 2024,” predicts Christine Marvin, vice president of strategic design at Marvin. To fully embrace this trend, consider decorating with plants, choosing a natural color palette and materials, and increasing natural light in your living area.
Chris Swint, design leader at Westlake Royal Building Products, emphasizes the importance of a close connection to nature and its elements, citing potential benefits such as increased well-being and productivity. “Increasing health and environmental concerns are driving demand for backyard improvements and incorporating nature into the design. This includes features such as green roofs, large windows, and living walls.”
To spice up your home with a natural color palette, Chris recommends using earth-toned paints like navy blue, forest green, earthy brown, and copper tones. These color choices are combined with nature-inspired materials to achieve organic texture and warmth.
Christine Marvin is Vice President of Strategy and Design at Marvin Windows and Doors. She has a particular interest in biophilic design and how it can be incorporated into the design and installation of windows and doors.
Kriss Swint is the Marketing Communications Director and Design Leader for Westlake Royal Building Products and the Editor-in-Chief of LiveAbode.com. She is the creative visionary and design lead at Westlake Royal, where she is responsible for naming and branding new colors.
4. Installation and refinishing of a wooden kitchen
Arteum Design's 'Cove White Oak' collection can be installed into your existing kitchen.
(Image courtesy: Arteum Design)
The National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2024 Trends Report reveals a growing demand for natural finishes in the kitchen, such as neutral woods paired with stone or marble worktops. Therefore, it's no surprise that wood kitchen cabinets are predicted to dominate this year's kitchen trends.
But before you embark on a full-scale kitchen remodel, consider how you can renovate this space without breaking the bank by refinishing or refinishing the fronts of your existing cabinets.
Instead of reaching for the hammer right away, consider stripping the paint off the wood cabinets you already have to expose the material underneath. Alternatively, you can replace your current kitchen cabinet fronts with custom-made ones that perfectly fit your space. Talk to a local woodworker about custom-made cabinets to fit your kitchen's dimensions, or consider options like your favorite wood cabinet fronts available at scrapyards and online marketplaces.
Archie Tkachoff, founder of Arteum.design says, “A great DIY hack to achieve the best quality without spending too much money is to use a combination of Ikea cabinets and custom fronts. ” states. “This approach is not only cost-effective but also versatile, allowing custom doors to be applied to new and existing cabinets.”
Archie Tkachoff is a professional woodworker and owner of Arteum.design based in San Francisco. He founded Arteum.design in 2023 to provide homeowners with a modern alternative to outdated traditional kitchen cabinets.
5. Walk-in pantry
(Image credit: Tom Howley)
A pantry is a coveted feature for many homeowners. Why not make 2024 the year you repurpose your kitchen closet into a walk-in pantry?
“In 2024, we expect pantries to be upgraded with intelligent organizational solutions to provide more space and functionality,” predicts Laurel Vernazza, home design expert at The Plan Collection. “A walk-in pantry with floor-to-ceiling storage can be used to hide large appliances such as fryers, coffee makers, and dishwashers, and provides plenty of space for pots and pans, spices, dry goods, and more. there is.”
Just clean out your kitchen closet and evaluate its layout. Install adjustable shelves for more storage, add hooks and racks for spices and dry goods, and overhead lights for added visibility.
Laurel Vernazza has extensive experience working with design clients as well as real estate, and has a keen eye for home design trends.
2 Tier Stainless Steel Lazy Susan
This lazy Susan is perfect for high-traffic storage areas, such as walk-in pantries. Made of rust-resistant stainless steel, it is ideal for humid areas such as kitchens.
Butterfly ginkgo K cup merry-go-round
Designed by Michael Allam, this elegant K-cup carousel holds 24 K-cups and is perfect for adding height to your coffee station or walk-in pantry.
Royal Check Large Enamel Canister
Designed by Mackenzie Childs, this striking kitchen canister is perfect for neatly storing pantry essentials.
6. Crown molding
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)
Crown molding is an easy way to add detail to doors, walls, and cabinets, as well as give an interior space a luxurious feel. Previously, wooden moldings were the main choice, requiring precise cutting and assembly. However, modern alternatives to wood are readily available, such as foam moldings. These versatile materials can be easily trimmed to size and applied to walls or furniture, simplifying the installation process.
Embrace this interior trend by introducing statement archtraves into your living spaces, enhancing bookshelves with intricate trim (more on that below), or adding a decorative touch to your wainscoting. .
7. DIY built-in bookshelf
(Image credit: Michael Clifford/Jake Arnold)
Classic built-in bookshelves remain a popular choice in 2024, and it's easy to see why. With a little DIY expertise, you can easily transform an ordinary bookshelf into a pseudo-built-in feature that instantly upgrades your home.
First, measure your space and find the right number of freestanding bookshelves for your needs. We recommend options like Ikea's Billy Bookshelf and Wayfair's Lagner Bookshelf as they are well-suited to this task. Secure these bookshelves to the wall and make sure they are level and perfectly aligned.
To achieve the built-in look you've always wanted, add plywood surrounds, crown molding, or decorative trim that complements the room's style. After carefully caulking and sanding any rough edges, paint or stain the bookshelf so it blends seamlessly into its surroundings.
Home improvement trends are typically less temporary than paint trends, such as the color of the year, and can significantly improve the aesthetics and functionality of your home.
