2024 Interior Design Insights: What's In and What's Out

As we start working on some of our 2024 design projects, it’s exciting to explore all of the newest trends that are currently taking over the interior design industry.

From statement stonewear to supporting local artisans, there are lots of new trends that are making interiors a lot more fun and eye-catching this year.

In this article, we want to share some of the biggest interior design ins and outs that we think you might be interested in if you’re a property investor.

Redefining Living Experiences: Mar Design UK Interior Solution — Bedroom @ Maralbert

In: Creative Layered Lighting

Lighting can completely change the way a room feels; fill a living room with small mood lighting and you can create a cosy space to unwind in, or use bright overhead lighting in an office and you can instantly boost productivity and motivation.

If you want to take lighting to the next level in your project, try out this new trend of layering different lighting features to create a unique look. Rather than just having one focal feature on the ceiling to light up a room, create a layered affect by incorporating table lights, floor lamps, and interesting lampshades for a super interesting space.

Out: Monochrome Interiors

Monochrome interiors are the safe way to play things when you’re working on an investment property; you’re creating a blank canvas that the future renter or buyer can unleash their creativity on – but there’s nothing exciting about these design choices.

In 2024, we’re embracing colour in our projects and designing homes that will really get people excited to move into. Whether you play around with different paint colours to add some fun to a bedroom, or bring in some statement sofas into a living room, being more bold with your interior design choices can make a big difference in how people view your properties – and could massively increase your return on investment.

In: Statement Stoneware

Natural materials have always been in style; think wooden kitchens, marble worktops, and metal fittings in the bathroom. But, in 2024, stoneware is going to be the biggest hit for interior designers and property developers.

We love using a striking piece of marble around a fireplace, or as the centrepiece in the kitchen, for a really bold look that catches peoples’ attentions straight away. What makes this material special is that every singlepiece is completely unique which makes it perfect for when you want to go above and beyond in a project. You just can’t match the beautiful natural veining you get on materials like marble, it’s a striking design choice that will really pay off when it comes to impressing potential buyers and renters.

Out: Copy and Paste Interiors

When you’re working on a new project and you’re tight on budget, we know that it can be easy to go along with the usual ‘copy and paste’ interiors that we’ve all seen so much – white walls, cream carpets, neutral furniture etc.

This year, we want to challenge our partners to embrace a more eclectic approach to interior design in their properties. We are seeing homeowners embrace a mix of furnishings and accessories that reflect their personal tastes and it’s time that property investors also start to adopt this approach in 2024

In: Mixing Up Your Metals

We don’t know why it was ever seen as a faux-pas to mix metals, we think–when done correctly–it can create a beautiful look in any room.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate mixed metals into your next project is in the kitchen or bathroom. Play around with your traditional silver taps and then add some gold in your cabinet handles and decor.

Normally people would associate mixed metals with a more industrial design style, but there are ways to give a subtle nod to this trend without going all-out industrial. Play around with different metals like brass, bronze, or nickel if you want to do something a little different than the usual gold and silver, it’s a great chance to get creative.

Out: Single-Use Spaces

The era of single-use spaces is well and truly behind us as homeowners seek to optimise their homes for multifunctional living, so it’s up to as as property investors and interior designers to create spaces that allow for a bit more flexibility for the end tenants.

Rather than having dedicated dining rooms and formal living areas, try to come up with ways that you can repurpose these spaces to accommodate for more fllexibile activities. It’s a great idea from an investment perspective as you’re giving maximum space and the flexibility for end tenants to tailor their homes to their personal preferences.

In: Investing In Artisanal Craftsmanship

It’s easy to think you can cut costs by getting the mass-produced furniture that is used in most housing projects, but we’re starting to see a lot more people enjoying the appeal of artisanal craftsmanship – especially if it’s been made by local artisans.

People love the authenticity of artisan goods, and are usually willing to pay a much higher price for something that’s been handmade and can be tracked to a specific artisan in their area.

From handcrafted ceramics to bespoke textiles, incorporating artisanal pieces into your interiors can add a sense of individuality and character that can allow you to command higher rental prices and impress potential buyers.

Elevate Your Properties in 2024

We hope that this article has given you lots of ideas and inspiration for your upcoming projects in 2024.

Although you may want to play it safe, we’ve found that taking that bit of extra time to create bold and beautiful interiors can make all the difference when it comes to your return on investment.

If you’d like some help on how you can turn these ideas into reality, we’d love to speak to you. At Mardesign, we work with plenty of property investors just like you who don’t have the time or knowledge to elevate their interior designs.

If you’d like to talk us through your plans in 2024, get in touch with our friendly team today.

Check out what investors say.

“We worked with Raquel on a project to turned a 2 bed property into a 5-bed HMO. Raquel, helped us maximise the space and layout of the property and had some creative solutions to challenges in the project. I’d recommend Raquel to anyone looking to get the lost out of their property both designs and physical layouts. It’s been a great pleasure working with her.”

—Justin Lai