The new year brings plenty of new opportunities for innovative interiors, and homeowners and designers alike are eager to discover what 2024's defining design trend will be. Interior designer and once Queer Eye star Bobby Berk didn't waste any time, taking to Instagram this week to ask his followers what they think the year's hottest interior design trends might be.
Though the replies covered a wide range of possibilities, Bobby threw his own prediction into the mix, and it was a bit out of the box – according to Bobby, 'surprising murals' might just be all the rage for the new year.
We spoke with designers to see whether they agreed with the artistic prediction, plus whether they thought Bobby's followers were on the right track. Here's what they had to say.
Though certainly a statement, a wall mural can bring an otherwise simple space to life. Covering an entire surface or just a small portion of a blank wall, murals are completely customizable, and make your house truly feel like home.
Often bespoke, murals can be subtle in color, or can employ vivid colors for an eye-catching addition to a living room, bedroom or kitchen. Draw upon the shades already present in your space for a cohesive, high-end look.
'Adding a mural to your space is a bold choice, bringing artistry and creative flair to any room. Though the final results can be stunning, take care not to overpower the rest of the room with jarring colors. Let the mural complement the rest of your design scheme with subtle hues and personalized patterns,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.
New York City-based designer Rushda Hakim, founder of Rushda Hakim Design, tends to stay away from trendy interior design styles, sticking instead with the long-lasting classics. However, she agrees that introducing murals can be a great way to elevate your home's design scheme in the long run – and this black-and-white bedroom proves her point.
Rushda placed this prominent yet understated mural just above the bed, drawing the eye to the room's main focal point. A clever way to introduce art into the space without the need for framing, this artistic touch plays into the room's monochromatic color scheme. A throw pillow's pop of color adds a bit of fun to the space, and the result is a classy, elevated and just the right amount of playful.
'Surprising murals are a welcome addition to add some character to the now ubiquitous Instagram homes we see everywhere... We have been using murals for a while and think it's a clever way to shift from the ordinary whilst giving your walls the feel of a larger-than-life artwork,' says Rushda.
When it came to trend predictions left in the comments – and there were quite a few – many fell into the same category. It seems that Bobby's followers' color predictions are all about bright and eclectic designs in the new year.
Ready to leave neutral tones behind this January, people are revving to introduce personality and fun into their decor. And Bobby himself seems to agree with his fans, leaving a like on many of the comments that emphasized maximalist, color-centric styles.
There's already been an uptick in all-out designs driven by personal style through the end of 2023, and it's no surprise to hear that people want the look to stick around. Rushda says she's hesitant to agree that decorating with neutrals will be on the way out entirely, but she has hope that bold, personalized touches will grace the interior design world more frequently in 2024.
'I don't think neutrals will go anywhere but am hopeful people will be more experimental with curated objects and accents,' she says.
Though his answer took some by surprise, Bobby may be on to something when it comes to bold and adventurous murals – whether for staying power or trendy charm, these artistic touches transform any space.
If you're artistically talented, a mural is a wonderful opportunity to leave your mark on your home. But regardless of your skill with a paintbrush, anyone can bring one of these bespoke, captivating creations to their space.
