Home design trends come and go each year, influenced by various factors from expanding technology, architectural trends, environmental considerations, pop culture, and more. As active REALTORS®, our agents see a multitude of homes each week - through monitoring home inventory online, in-person showings with clients, open houses, broker previews of active listings, and more. Connected with builders, designers, and stagers alike, agents have an inside look at how real people are styling, updating, and building homes in real-time.
Looking ahead to 2024, we consulted four agents across our firm to see what trends they are seeing in homes – what’s in, what’s out, and how home design may affect homes on the market in the coming year.
What unexpected design trend did you enjoy in 2023?
“I feel like almost every new construction home over $1 million had a scullery tucked behind a secret door,” shared Tracy Brown. Historically, sculleries have helped to keep the “front” kitchen in a home in guest-ready condition, keeping kitchen messes hidden behind closed doors.
For her part, Anne Dabrowski enjoyed seeing a modern take on checkered tiles. “I’ve been seeing some cool twists on the classic black and white with different colored natural stone tiles in place of the black marble!” This trend makes its way into homes in many places including flooring and backsplashes, with a mix of colored tiles and textures.
Katherine Hickman loved seeing rooms painted in a “full dip” paint finish - AKA rooms with walls, trim, and sometimes even the ceiling, painted the same color. “I love seeing a traditional room like a formal living room or dining room with this effect.”
2023 Favorites
Outside of the unexpected, agents came away from 2023 with plenty of personal favorite design styles and elements, many of which will carry forward into 2024.
“Mixed metals in light fixtures, hardware, and other accents and the increased use of wallpaper were two of my personal favorites from 2023 that I’m sure we’ll see stick around in 2024,” said Amy Merrigan.
Tracy added, “bold, saturated colors. I think the jewel tones (blues and greens) are timeless!”
If you’re willing to kick it up a notch, Anne suggests wallpaper and a reminder not to forget the ceiling: “Adding design touches to ceilings with wallpaper or colors to complement wallpaper. I think it’s here to stay!”
Finally, Katherine saw the increased use of sustainable design throughout the year, adding “I saw lots of vintage, thrifted, and re-used furniture pieces, which are timeless!”
What are buyers looking for and what trends are in/out for 2024?
Those looking to stay on-trend and make a splash in the coming year need only look as far as this ins and outs list from our experts.
IN:
- "I hope to see more mixed materials and natural elements (stone, marble, terracotta, etc.). As far as color, lot of soothing colors (mauve pink, light blue, warm greens, etc) and tone on tone. For example, a mix of beiges in one room." - Katherine
- “At least one home office space is a must in today’s homes and more than one is even better.” - Amy
- “People are leaning into moody colors! Their kitchens may be white, but they are adding layers of colors and tone as well as painting living rooms and bedrooms deep, muted tones.” - Anne
- “We have seen a resurgence of natural wood tones and bolder colors in cabinets, moving away from the all-white kitchen.” - Amy
- “I think people were looking for defined spaces in the home; there is less focus on a totally open floor plan.” - Anne
- “A return to rooms - before 2023, it seemed like everyone wanted an open floor plan/wide spaces, but now people want more rooms with specific functions (playroom, office/library, dining room) while limiting the openness to the kitchen/family room.” - Katherine
- “Low maintenance features and automation, such as LVP flooring, Trex or composite decking, programmable thermostats, etc.” - Amy
OUT:
- “Barn doors...or at least I hope they are!” - Tracy
- “Grey accents, all white everything, and sliding barn doors” - Katherine
- “Farmhouse…” - Anne
- “People are tired of gray!” - Amy
Do home design trends affect buyers’ view of listings?
Trendy designs are just that - trends. They come, they go. Some are more timeless and last for years while others may go out in a season or two. Homes on the market are trying to make their best “first impression” to buyers, whether online or in-person, and the aesthetic of a home can be a determining factor in buyer’s reactions.
Anne shared, “Home design can contribute to a buyer’s perspective of the home being updated or not. That being said, a home can’t be too committed to upcoming design trends - I don’t know if the mainstream buyer is ever ready!”
Our agents agree that adding popular design trends to your home can be fun – within reason. You shouldn’t ignore your personal home decor and design preferences just because you’re planning to list your home, but your agent may recommend some changes prior to listing.
“Just know that if you go too unique, it may not appeal to the masses,” says Tracy Brown.
In a competitive market, how important do you believe unique and visually appealing design is in attracting potential buyers?
Everyone’s home decor style has unique characteristics, and even among the agents polled, personal design preferences range from “classic modern” to “modern boho” and “maximalist.” Likewise, every potential buyer who enters a home will view it differently based on their own personal preferences. With that said, a balance can be struck between trendy and neutral to make a listing stand out while still appealing to a wide buyer pool.
“Buyers absolutely love homes that are updated with modern trends and unique finishes,“ noted Amy Merrigan. “Those are the homes that tend to get a lot of showings, sell more quickly, get multiple offers, and gain a lot of internet attention from buyers.”
Overall, a visually appealing home that is priced correctly and in move-in-ready condition is a solid bet.
“Neutral is always best for listing purposes, but I love to walk through a home with a great eye for design, even if it’s not my style,” says Katherine Hickman “I think where sellers make a mistake is DIY projects (i.e. poorly installed wallpaper) or houses that feel too chaotic and lack congruency throughout.”
No matter the style or condition of your home, remember that Helen Adams Realty’s Market Ready program can help get it in parade-ready shape so that you realize the highest net profit. For those buying homes this year or simply looking for advice on trends and vendors for their current home, our agents are always just a call away.