1. Blending Backsplashes: Designers on Houzz often use tile to create stylish kitchen backsplashes. To visually break up those expanses of tile, some designers on Houzz are now installing a slab of stone or quartz behind the range or cooktop while keeping the surrounding backsplash areas tiled. The slab is often the same material as the countertops, giving the kitchen a vertical display of graphic veining or other interesting details to create a striking focal point that’s easy to wipe clean.
2. Fluted Cabinets and Details: Fluted details have been on display at design shows throughout the year accenting everything from kitchen islands to bathroom vanities to living room furniture. The aesthetic creates a thick, often rough statement-making detail beneath island countertops, bathroom vanities and dining room tables, adding visual texture and interest.
3. Warm Neutrals: By far the most talked-about trend happening now is the move away from cool grays and stark whites to warmer neutrals like beiges, creamy off-whites and rich browns. We first predicted this infusion in the kitchen, but the look is beginning to dominate throughout the home to offer a calmer, more welcoming environment. Designers on Houzz recommend incorporating different tones, textures and patterns to create a more layered look that gives a room seasonal versatility.
4. Blues In Focus: With so much going on in the world, blue provides a calming influence. Perhaps that’s why so many paint companies are choosing blue as the color of 2024. Whether it’s a sky-inspired hue or a deep watery color, look for an array of blues to be featured more prominently in decorative materials and housewares in the coming year.
5. Timeless Style: Many homeowners on Houzz are requesting more traditional details and materials that create a timeless style and that can be a sustainable choice during renovations, according to the 2023 U.S. Kitchen Trends Report. Even modern homes are incorporating “old” elements such as brick, handmade clay tiles, rustic wood elements and arches that offer “quiet luxury.”
6. Handmade Features: Accompanying the trend toward timeless style is an embrace of handmade features and details. Pros on Houzz say this includes handmade tiles, custom bathroom vanities and other bespoke elements, which create a feeling that the homeowner has something truly unique and special. Initially gaining prominence at European design shows, we’re seeing custom features and personalized elements showing up in the most popular U.S. photos on Houzz. In fact, the 2023 Houzz U.S. Bathroom Trends Report found that the majority of renovating homeowners (62%) opt for a custom or semi-custom vanity.
7. Appliance Garages: Appliance garages conceal countertop appliances such as blenders, coffee makers and toasters while keeping them easily accessible and organized. While they’ve been around for decades, they’re enjoying a resurgence in popularity as homeowners seek to declutter their homes and incorporate more gadgets into their kitchens — and as pros on Houzz design better-looking and harder-working options.
8. Herringbone Everything: Herringbone is another classic design element that is experiencing a renaissance, becoming the go-to pattern for kitchens, bathrooms and more. But the typically horizontal zigs are beginning to zag in new directions — diagonally or vertically — to create an updated look with visual interest, movement and texture.
9. Mud-Laundry Rooms: Combining a laundry room with a mudroom is a great idea for homes that see a lot of mess at an entry. This increasingly popular setup lets homeowners place grimy sports uniforms, sandy beach towels or muddy winter coats directly into the wash before they track dirt further into a home. A utility sink lets you soak dirty clothes or delicates, and a pulldown faucet is effective at rinsing muddy boots or cleats. Meanwhile, design pros on Houzz recommend mudroom storage components like cabinets, hooks and cubbies to help organize all the clean gear. And a bench assists with taking on and off shoes and boots.
10. Plantings Between Pavers: Whether driven by aesthetic requests or as a byproduct of maintaining on-site drainage, we’re seeing increased interest in greenery tucked between pavers. Garden paths and patios made of pavers separated by ground cover have gained popularity on Houzz due to their natural look, permeability and design versatility. This approach softens pathways, breaks up large expanses of hardscape and generally makes a walkway or patio feel more like a lush, living part of a garden.