As folks enjoy more time at home, they’re giving their living spaces a little more love and attention. Whether it’s bringing the outside in, tweaking single-use areas to serve multiple purposes, or slapping on a new coat of paint, this summer is all about making the most of staying at home.
Coming up, we’ll uncover the following home design trends for summer 2024:
- Wellness Spaces
- Western 2.0
- Feel-Good Paint Colours
- Indoor-Outdoor Living
- Reading Rooms
Let’s dive into 5 hot home design trends that can transform your home into a summertime sanctuary. Stay tuned for expert advice from our designers and how to make these trends part of your home for years to come.
Wellness Spaces
Wellness means different things to different people. This means how you approach wellness may be different from how your neighbour approaches it. Some like yoga to unwind and re-balance while others prefer an outdoor sanctuary where they can enjoy nature.
What It’s All About
Wellness spaces are dedicated zones inside or outside your home designed to boost your mental and physical health. Think of areas that encourage relaxation, meditation, or even a vigorous workout. Wellness spaces create environments that help you unwind, recharge, or stay fit.
How To Make It Work For Your Space
Spaces are as unique as personal preferences, so again, integrating wellness areas into a home can look different for everyone. Some tips to make this idea work for your unique space include:
- List your priorities: What do you prioritize most in your new wellness space? Do you need it to be quiet? Full of plants? Outdoors? Indoors? Make a list of everything you’d like to do in your area.
- Choose a theme: While wellness is the overarching theme, you may want to choose a more specific niche such as “Yoga & Meditation Retreat” or “Plant Haven”. This can help narrow your focus.
- Choose the right spot: Find a quiet corner or an underutilized room that can be converted into your wellness area. If you’re short on space, get creative—garages, patios, and even living room corners work.
Make It Work Year-Round
Depending on where your wellness space is located, you may not have to do much in the way of modifications for the winter. However, it’s good to plan ahead so you can enjoy your areas year-round.
Adapt the space for cooler months by adding cozy elements like soft lighting, warm blankets, and maybe an indoor fireplace or outdoor fire pit for a snug retreat vibe.
Western 2.0
Ellergodt Design is located in Calgary, so we know a thing or two about Western culture. While some types of Western design can go overboard, this season, we’re digging its rejuvenated, very grown-up makeover.
What It’s All About
Western 2.0 brings a contemporary twist to traditional Western decor. It mixes rustic elements like leather and wood with modern lines and textures, creating a fresh, yet homey atmosphere.
How To Make It Work For Your Space
When done right, Western 2.0 is a sophisticated design choice that can be integrated into any room. From faux cow skin rugs and leather chairs to tarnished silver candlesticks and natural wood and glass tables, this trend is simple but quality is key to its success.
- Blend old and new: Mix traditional Western pieces like a classic rocking chair with modern metals and glass.
- Sophisticated colour palette: Choose earth tones combined with pops of colour through artwork or textiles.
- Natural materials: Incorporate leather, wool, and unfinished wood for authenticity.
Make It Work Year-Round
This trend is one of the easiest to make work throughout the year. Plus, the colours associated with this trend often exude the look of warmth, lending a cozy aesthetic in the cooler months. If your summer colour palette is lighter, consider updating it to a richer, deeper colour scheme in the fall.
Feel-Good Colours
Also called “Dopamine Decor”, integrating feel-good colours into your spaces can help liven them up. This summer trend pumps up the volume of your favourite rooms, swapping neutrals like grey and beige for something more vibrant. As with all of these trends, this one is about personalization—so consider what hues make you happy!
What It’s All About
Colours dramatically influence mood. This trend is centred around colours—whether living room paint colours, furniture, or accents—that make you feel good, energized, and peaceful. Think soothing blues, vibrant greens, or even energizing yellows—whatever you like best.
How To Make It Work For Your Space
- Test your choices: Paint large swatches on the wall to see how the colour behaves in different lights throughout the day.
- Consider room function: Choose colours based on what the room is used for. Vibrant colours in a home office can boost energy, while softer shades in a bedroom can soothe.
Make It Work Year-Round
Opt for colours that look great under both natural sunlight and artificial lighting so they can maintain their charm regardless of the season. For example, a pale yellow can look a little washed out in the winter, while a canary yellow glows throughout the seasons.
Indoor-Outdoor Living
One of the most popular trends for 2024—and what we think will be for the foreseeable future—is indoor-outdoor living. Whether you bring the indoors outside or vice versa, this design choice amplifies natural elements in your living spaces.
What It’s All About
This trend blurs the lines between your indoor spaces and the outdoors. It expands your living area to include the outdoors, for example, by way of large windows, glass doors, or an outdoor kitchen.
How To Make It Work For Your Space
- Open up with glass: Install large glass doors or windows that can open up to connect the indoor space with the outside.
- Consistent flooring: Use the same flooring materials inside and out to enhance the flow between spaces.
- Outdoor comfort: Equip outdoor spaces with all the comforts of indoors—comfortable furniture, protective coverings, and heating options.
- Indoor plants: Don’t want to do a whole renovation? Consider bringing outside elements inside. From plant walls and trees to decorative fountains and wooden accents, it’s easy to create a revitalizing indoor oasis.
Make It Work Year-Round
Incorporate features like retractable awnings, outdoor heaters, and waterproof furniture to make the outdoor space usable in all weather conditions. Or, bring the outdoors inside with a plant wall and fountain that can be enjoyed all year.
Reading Rooms
Not everyone enjoys spending time outdoors in the summer. If you prefer air conditioning and a cozy nook, reading rooms are the summer 2024 home design trend for you.
What It’s All About
A reading room is a special spot dedicated to unwinding with a good book. It’s a quiet, cozy corner or room where distractions are minimized and comfort is maximized.
How To Make It Work For Your Space
A reading room doesn’t have to be an entire room—though if you have the space, go for it! It can also be a corner, bay window, or small den. To implement this design idea successfully, we recommend:
- Focusing on comfort: Invest in comfortable seating like a plush armchair or a hammock. High-quality bean bag chairs and chaise lounges are also fun ideas.
- Choosing great lighting: Ensure there’s plenty of light, natural if possible, with additional lamps or wall lights for evening reading.
- Finding the right shelving: The right type of shelving will be right for your unique space. Small areas may benefit from floating shelves while larger rooms may call for floor-to-ceiling bookcases.
- Adding personal touches: Fill shelves with your favourite books and include personal items that make the space feel uniquely yours.
Make It Work Year-Round
Adapt the room for different seasons by adding seasonal decor items, adjustable lighting, and temperature control elements like fans or a small fireplace or heater.
It’s also wise to think about the future when creating rooms like this. Flexibility is key, as while you may be excited about this trend now, in the future, a home office may be more important. Designing with future needs in mind is one of the many advantages that come with custom home design.
Get Expert Home Design Advice
Ready to give your home a summer makeover? Contact Ellergodt Design to connect with our expert designers who can help tailor these trends to perfectly fit your space and style.
FAQ
What drives trends in interior design?
A variety of factors influence interior design trends including cultural influences, technological advancements, fashion and art, economic factors, historic revival, and consumer preferences.
What is the trim trend in 2024?
Bold and contrasting trim colours are in for 2024. From door and window frames to baseboards and crown molding, bold colours contrast with neutral walls and emphasize architectural details adding character. Ornate, textured trim types are also becoming more popular for even greater personalization.