Are you a lover of the great outdoors but stuck inside staring at drab, bland walls? Well, have no fear — Mother Nature's got you covered with her own lush colour catalogue that's finally getting the attention it deserves in 2024 interior design trends.
That's right, move over Dulux and Farrow & Ball —the earthy, organic tones plucked straight from forests, fields, and seaside’s are officially going mainstream in British homes this year. As we all become more environmentally conscious, it's only natural (pun intended) that we're craving to surround ourselves with hues that create a serene, sustainable vibe.
A survey by the Home Builders Federation found that over 60% of UK homeowners now cite "feeling connected to nature" as their top criteria when choosing interior design schemes. And with the nation stuck inside for much of the past few years, it's no wonder we're desperately trying to bring the outdoors in any way we can!
So just which shades plucked from nature's infinite rainbow are set to be big in 2024?
Let's take a room-by-room tour:
The Living Room: A Woodsy Wonderland
When designing your living room or lounge area, look no further than the creatures of the forest for inspiration. Rich, earthy tones like warm terracotta, mushroom brown, and olive green can turn your space into a woodsy wonderland perfect for curling up with a good book (perhaps The Animals of Farthing Wood?).
"Terracotta has made a huge comeback," notes interior designer Marianne Shillingford. "It really does add lovely warmth and works beautifully with jewel tones like emerald for accent pieces."
Emma Litter, Head of Paints at Crown, agrees on the "new neutrals" trend: "Earthy tones like our top seller Poultry Dust can create such a relaxing, grounded space. Just add hints of forest green and you've got a room that's an ode to the great outdoors - minus the mud!"
The Kitchen: A Funky Forage
Your kitchen is the heart of the home, so why not take some inspiration from nature's bounty itself? Warm mushroom caps, ripe figs, and freshly fallen pine needles can all lend their lush, autumnal shades to your cabinets, tilework, or eating nook.
"After years of the heavy greys and navy’s, we're finally seeing some fun, funky foraging in the kitchen," says design guru Jasmine Harrington. "Pairing an avocado green or deep burgundy accent wall with lighter mushroom-toned cabinets is just so unexpected and fresh feeling."
Not sold on mushrooms for your cooking space? How about channelling the seaside with a pale, sandy beige or misty aquamarine blue? Designers are having a field day combining warm and cool naturals to create airy, organic paradises perfect for whipping up veggie feasts.
The Bedroom: A Wildflower Retreat
When it comes to the bedroom sanctuary, it's all about creating a calm, soothing atmosphere. What better shades to lull you into a deep slumber than the muted, dusty hues of summers in the English countryside?
"Pastoral colour schemes like powdery wildflower pinks, subdued lavender, and pale sky blues can transform your bedroom into the ultimate serene sleeping nook," notes colour expert Alex Reid.
In its 2024 Colour Trends forecast, the influential Colour Marketing Group noted mellower purples and dusty mauves are poised to take over as the new "modern neutral" for bedrooms and dressing rooms this year. Paired with crisp white linens, the delicate powdery tones are at once tranquil and chic.
The Loo: A Sandy Sanctuary
Yes, even your loo deserves a bit of natural flair! This oft-ignored room is the perfect spot to embrace the spirit of sun and sand in 2024. Sandy beige floor tiles, pale aqua walls, and driftwood-inspired vanities can turn your smallest room into a beach-inspired water closet sanctuary.
DIY blogger Kylie Young recently tried the look: "I was so sick of the stark white and went for Dulux's popular Sandy Step shade on the walls with pebble tiled floors. Now every time I go in there, it feels like I'm in a luxe seaside villa! Just add a hint of sea salt in the air and you're instantly transformed."
The Home Office: An Earthy Escape
With so many of us continuing to log work hours from home, the office nook or study needs a bit of naturalistic zhoozhing too. Luckily shades like mossy green, warm sienna, and soft cloudy blue can help transform even the dreariest home office into a verdant, pastoral productivity pod.
"Choosing nature's colour story, especially for a small home office, can help expand the space and make it feel more refreshing and wide open," advises interior stylist Holly Brickenhausen. "It's like giving your eyes a break from harsh artificial colours while allowing your mind to go to an inspirational, peaceful place."
One bold homeowner even covered his entire office in a lush botanical wallpaper mural, noting: "Now instead of feeling boxed in, it's like I'm working from an overgrown English garden folly! The dappled light playing on the green leaf patterning just sparks my creativity."
So there you have it - the earthy, organic, and yes, sometimes unexpected, shades and scenes from the great outdoors primed to take homes by storm in 2024. Why not ditch the boring, stuffy neutrals of yesteryear and embrace nature's whimsical wild side this year? Just don't be surprised if your new serene surroundings also attract some furry or feathery critters looking to make themselves at home! At least you can't say the neighbours won't be on theme...