There are four major societal and demographic trends anticipated to impact interior design in 2024, according to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): the consumer desire for connection; the appeal of quiet luxury; the blending of living, working, and playing spaces; and the intersection of sustainability and wellness in life and business.
1. Desire for Human Connection
As the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, those in Gen Z have distinctly different priorities than prior generations. Following recent health-related, political, social, and cultural issues, Gen Z’s experiences over the years have shaped and shifted their desire for genuine connections. Moving forward in 2024, designers should consider this change in consumer culture and use the generation’s evolving empathies and concerns to inform future design decisions.
2. Sustainability & Wellness
As companies and designers think holistically about creating environments that support better human health, many are increasingly recognizing the interconnectedness of individual health, community health and environmental stewardships. With many firms implementing tactics in both buildings and employee programs to synthesize sustainability and wellness, we’re seeing an increase in design decisions contributing to personal wellness and building health including better indoor air quality, increased natural light, and other amenities. Connecting both visually and physically with nature has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rates and improve engagement, attentiveness and cognitive performance.
Sustainability is especially prevalent in 2024 as we tackle extreme weather events with most Americans believing that climate change is harming people in the U.S. and likely to get worse, ASID noted.
In 2024, designers are actively seeking hospitality flooring that seamlessly balances durability, sustainability, and aesthetics, according to the team at Durkan who exhibited at HD Expo. Their focus lies on materials capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic, maintaining environmental consciousness, and enhancing the overall ambiance. What resonated consistently among designers at the HD Expo was their meticulous approach driven by functionality, innovation, and wellness principles. Their aim is to curate adaptable solutions that prioritize guest comfort and ease of maintenance.
3. Artificial Intelligence in Design
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications are being used in a variety of applications: organizations are using AI to generate floor plans, design iterations, occupancy, and energy models, coordinated sets of construction documents, specifications and reports; while others are using it to increase autonomy, create experience-driven design and deliver environmental settings that occupants can customize. The personalization of the consumer experience is just the newest means of the impact of AI.
4. Blending Live, Work & Play Spaces
Recent changes in the post-pandemic workplaces have influenced a preference for unique and authentic travel experiences, and blurred the lines of living, working, staying, and playing. As the lines between work and play fade, designers need to be well-versed in cross-specialty design, blending the sectors of design through the incorporation of “eatertainment” spaces in residences, informal living rooms in corporate offices, team workspace and conference rooms in hotels, and more.
