The interior plays an important role in a person’s life: it affects the psychological and emotional state, mood, and organization of everyday life. Since ancient times, people have decorated and equipped their homes to create comfortable living conditions and surround themselves with comfort.
In different eras, interior design was different: colors, shapes, elements, and materials changed, and certain interior trends were popular. But there are timeless and fashionable trends that are still relevant — we will talk about them. Let’s talk about trends in the interior design of apartments and houses that are relevant in 2024 and look at the photos of the most successful projects.
Natural Materials
Mankind has used natural materials to build houses and decorate interiors at all stages of its development. In Ancient Greece, the main building component was stone, in Russia it was wood, and among the nomadic peoples of Central Asia, animal skins and felt.
This trend is considered one of the most sought-after and timeless since wood, stone, metal, glass, and textiles are durable and environmentally friendly materials. Almost no interior can do without them, but most often they are found in such styles as English, Scandinavian, Japandi, Military, Wabi-Sabi, Chalet, Country, Contemporary, Loft, Eco, and Boho. Depending on the direction, certain materials are used: in the English style, the emphasis is on wood and leather, in the Scandinavian style – on textiles, in the loft style – on brick and metal.
In the 1920s, the trend for natural material in the interior became especially popular thanks to organic architecture, a trend that was actively promoted by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright about 100 years ago. The main philosophy of this direction is that architecture and interior should be one with the environment. It is important that the appearance of buildings corresponds to their purpose and the place where they are located.
Wright’s “prairie houses”—residential buildings that do not contrast with nature, but are in harmony with it—became the prototype of American residential architecture of the last century. The architect has completed more than four hundred projects, including the House over the Waterfall, the Miniature, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Moldings and stucco moldings
The history of stucco molding dates back to Ancient Egypt: approximately in the 5th millennium BC. Relief elements were used to decorate column capitals, entrance portals, door frames, cornices, and walls. The technology originated thanks to the builders of Ancient Egypt: they extracted gypsum minerals, crushed them into a powder, mixed them with water, and filled molds with this mixture.
Stucco molding became widespread in ancient times – in Ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks and Romans improved the technology of creating plaster and stucco moldings: patterns and ornaments became more complex, interesting, and richer.
Stucco moldings and moldings — decorative details in the form of slats — can be safely considered one of the eternal trends in design. This stylistic technique is able to transform the interior and organize the architecture of the space, giving it completeness and sophistication. Wall moldings can visually increase the height and width of walls – this is a good solution for small rooms with low ceilings.
The trend is widely used in modern interiors: as a rule, it can be seen in styles such as French, neoclassical, eclecticism, and Art Deco.
Soft shapes
Soft forms in the interior came into fashion at the end of the 19th century, with the beginning of the Art Nouveau era. Smooth curved lines and floral motifs in the design of the living space have become the hallmark of the style.
Today, the trend for streamlined shapes is still relevant but implemented in a more simplified form. It is supported by furniture, arched, door and window openings, smoothed corners of the rooms, round lamps, décor and carpets.
Soft edges, rounded shapes, and curved lines make the interior stylish, cozy, and comfortable. This trend is universal — it is used in completely different directions: from modern classics to natural eco-style.
Precious Metals
Precious metals – copper, brass, bronze, silver, and gold – have been known to mankind for several millennia and have been considered a luxury item since ancient times. They were used to make mirrors, décor, furniture, and lighting fixtures, which, in turn, were widely used in the Baroque, Rococo, and Classicism styles.
In the 20th century, precious metals practically ceased to be used in the interior, with the exception of the Art Deco style. Brass, gold, copper, and silver play an important role in it, as they give the interior a rich look – a quality that distinguishes Art Deco from other styles.
In recent years, this trend has returned to its former relevance – today noble metals and their imitation are actively used not only in Art Deco but also in such popular styles as neoclassicism, eclecticism, minimalism, and loft.
Most often, metals are used for plumbing fixtures, decorative partitions, furniture elements, lamps, and decorations. The trend is multifunctional and manifests itself in different styles in different ways: it dilutes a minimalistic interior with texture and material and endows a more classic one with luxury and elegance.
Arches and arched openings
This architectural element appeared in the Ancient East but became widespread during the times of Ancient Rome and Greece. At the same time, arches began to be used not only in the architecture and exterior of buildings but also in the interior.
Depending on the style and era, arched elements were decorated in every possible way, but in a modern interior they look minimalistic: without décor and bright accents. Today, not only openings but also furniture facades, wall niches, mirrors, and decorative partitions take the arched form.
The arch trend will easily fit into any interior style. An arch – both an architectural and decorative element of the interior – will not go unnoticed, but on the contrary, will give the design an interesting look.
Paintings & Art
Art objects are an integral part of the interior. Even in the prehistoric period, people decorated their caves with cave paintings, a technique that was later adopted and improved by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
However, if in ancient times palace halls and passages of temples were decorated with marble statues and paintings, then in modern interiors you can see completely different objects of art: from art objects made of non-traditional materials to reproductions of paintings by famous artists. In addition to decorating the space with individual objects, modern projects use such artistic techniques as plaster panels, wall paintings, and bas-reliefs. These large elements can effectively fit into the interior and give it a personal touch.
In recent years, a combination of old antique motifs and modern art has come into fashion, so designers actively use plaster sculptures in combination with abstract paintings. The trend can be found in almost every project. In a boho interior, it can be a wall macramé, in neoclassicism it can be a painting or a sculpture.
Neutral color scheme
Coloristics is one of the most important components of interior design. There are many scientific studies that prove the influence of color on the psychological state and mood of a person. We select the color scheme of the interior based on personal preferences, the chosen style, mood, and the desired atmosphere.
Every year there are new color trends, but there is a timeless base that has been fixed for many years. Black, white, shades of gray, and beige are the colors that can be found in every modern interior. They become an excellent background for any design: they do not distract and do not draw attention to themselves, but on the contrary, they emphasize the textures and textures of finishing materials.
Neutral color schemes are very popular in styles such as Scandinavian, minimalism, boho, Japandi, eco, contemporary, and neoclassical.
