Welcome to 2024! It wouldn’t be a new year if we weren’t checking in on the hottest trends with interior designers. In 2023, we saw trends like quiet luxury and cottagecore come and stay, and we've welcomed Japandi style—a mashup of Japanese interiors and Scandinavian interiors. Now it's time to look ahead, and we couldn't predict the best interior design trends without reaching out to experts about what’s in store for this year.  

1 Warm Neutrals

As the popularity shifts from cool grays and stark whites to warmer neutrals like beiges and off-whites, consumers are going for a calmer, more welcoming vibe in their homes.

“Flooring and surface colors are gravitating towards neutral and earthy tones,” said William Horton, co-founder of Homebody Forever, a lifestyle website specializing in interior design. “These colors not only create a sense of calm and tranquility but also offer versatility in design, making them suitable for various interior themes.”

Typical flooring choices for a warm neutral color palette may include hardwood flooring, which is a versatile option.

“Hardwood floors are always in style and timeless. Warm colors like natural browns and lighter colors seem to be on trend,” said Chelsea Potthast, founder of Potthast Design in St. Petersburg, Florida. “This year don’t be surprised to see parquet wood flooring as a nod to yesteryear!”

2 Blues

Many major paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and Dunn-Edwards have announced a shade of blue as the color of the year for 2024. With inspiration from the sea or sky, the calming tone is described as “a perfect bridge between warm and cool,” by Dunn-Edwards color expert Deming Carpenter. Ceramics of Italy manufacturers announced blue as one of the season’s hottest hues, such as Vibrant by Settecento.

“A notable shift towards darker exterior flooring colors like charcoal and midnight blue is emerging,” said Chris Laverty, a movie and fashion expert at Elemental Spot. “This trend is not just visually striking but also practical for masking dirt."

A popular way to incorporate blue in residential flooring designs is through area rugs or colorful tiles.

3 Sustainability

For our individual health to the planet’s health, there are multiple reasons people are using sustainable flooring in 2024. The shift to sustainable flooring options not only reduces one’s carbon footprint and can improve indoor air quality, but can also be a durable choice, resulting in less frequent replacement.

“Sustainability is a trend that uses eco-friendly materials and aims to reduce waste. This means utilizing materials such as bamboo, cork, and recycled glass for flooring and surfaces. Such materials are known to be environmentally friendly, durable and stylish,” said Smirna Kulenovic, Design Expert, Next Luxury.

Flooring made from natural materials, which include wood, bamboo, linoleum, natural stone, wool carpets and porcelain tile, can be sustainable flooring choices. Carpets made from recycled plastic are durable and beautiful options, too. Today, many consumers also want PVC-free choices. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is commonly in household items such as shower curtains, records, and vinyl flooring. PVC-free options made today do not contain phthalates, a significant benefit for those concerned about the health impacts of PVC.

4 Patterns

Patterned designs are making a statement this coming year. There are dozens of different ways to incorporate patterns when it comes to flooring, such as using different sized tiles or laying hardwood in unique ways.

Checkerboard tiles are one of the many trending patterns in 2024. Black and white checkerboard tiles can add contrast to a room, while bold colors add personality to a space.

“The classic pattern is handy when it comes to evoking a sense of retro or vintage charm. It works well in both traditional and contemporary settings,” said Mariya Snisar, head of interior design at Renowell, an interior design an renovation firm in Ontario, Canada.

Other patterns like herringbone or chevron are also resurfacing in the new year. Herringbone is an arrangement of rectangles that resemble the skeleton of a herring. The pattern is becoming a go-to in kitchens and bathrooms.

“In both stone and wood, you will see checkerboard, herringbone and basketweave patterns on floors gaining popularity, especially in the entryway,” Potthast said. “Concrete tiles with interesting patterns are still happening and in baths and other wet areas you will see small mosaic floors. Terrazzo tiles and poured slabs are also prevalent.”

5 Technology

Technology continues to evolve over the years, especially residential flooring. In 2024, people are integrating technology into their flooring options. Blending functionality with design, heated flooring and smart floors are some ways people use technology in flooring.