The 11 Home Updates Designers Want to See You Make in 2024

What does 2024 have in store? In Design Psychic, our community of editors, experts, and tastemakers predicts the trends coming soon to a home near you.

For the past three years, many renovations have been focused on a life better suited in lockdown. We have lost track of the number of office makeovers, ADU additions, and Peloton rooms we’ve seen. But going into 2024, designers are expecting to see less updates around surviving at home and more changes geared toward thriving. Ahead, we asked 12 pros what types of renovations will lead the way in the new year. Read on for the upgrades on their radar. 

Nods to the Past

I think we’re going to see people starting to make more decisions with historic context and architecture in mind. It feels like there’s a universal interest in history and memories right now. Also: Hello, chrome; goodbye, brass. —Sally Breer

Bespoke Trim and Tile

I foresee a growing emphasis on unique custom details and quality materials that infuse charm, character, and soul into spaces. This could be custom trim work or a mosaic tile moment (our clients have been using a ton of our Zio and Sons x Clé zellige tile). —Anthony D’Argenzio, Zio and Sons

Playrooms…for Adults

A friend of mine recently noted that all houses should have playrooms—kids or no kids. A space with no rules, for no one else but you. And I thought, why doesn’t every room in our house feel like that? And, of course, if you’re an adult and happen to have the square footage to dedicate to a room that is simply and purely a room to make stuff in, play on, baby! —Sally Breer

Ultra-Bright Colors

I can envision some very uncommon ultra-bright colors making an appearance. I also see spaces becoming more personalized, with a sense of self-expression, be it cultural, artistic…a movement toward claiming one’s space as one’s own in a strong, visual way.  —Faith Blakeney

Attention to Higher Ceilings

We’re seeing a lot more requests for vaulting ceilings or exposing ceiling/beams. We think this will carry on as everyone obviously strives for higher ceilings and more space. When renovating a home, it’s an easy way to create the sense that you’ve added square footage, you’ve just gone up! —Jesse Rudolph and Joelle Kutner, Ome Dezin

Bolder Bathrooms

We expect people will continue to embrace their bathroom as a space definitely worthwhile investing in creatively and financially; a bathroom that feels like a living room, or making the most of a smaller space with color and/or pattern. Tiling and marble are both a great way to do this. —Angus Buchanan, Buchanan Studio

Upholstery in Unexpected Places

I think we’ll continue to see the love affair with wood and stone expand into new territory. I also think people will be playing with upholstery in new and exciting places. —Victoria Sass, Prospect Refuge Studio

Savvy Sustainable Moments

We will see a thoughtful application of existing materials through the reuse of marble, stone, and other resources. Additionally, we’ll witness the harnessing of new technologies in materials to help save and create sustainable environments and projects. —Sara Story

Dark Wood

I expect to see more dark woods (think: walnut versus white oak) and softer finishes throughout the home—fabric light shades, skirting on furniture, and subtle fabric wall coverings. —Zoe Feldman

Choppy Layouts

I think we will see less open concept and more of the original bones of the house with intimate footprints (separate dining rooms, kitchens, etc.). —Molly Kidd, Light and Dwell

A 24-7 Spa

Something I’ve been hearing more of lately is the inclusion of home spas with built-in saunas, steam rooms, and massage areas. —Susana Simonpietri, Chango & Co.

Color Drenching

I think we’ll see more monochromatically colored rooms, a development of the neutral trend that has dominated the past few years. —Clive Lonstein