2024 Moving into 2025 Design Trends Likely to Affect Value of Personal Property
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Friday, November 8, 2024 in Ask an Instructor, Education, Business Tips
State and national elections, conflicts in the Middle East, and global unrest have constantly been on our minds and in our daily conversations. We are bombarded with things over which we have little to no control. Our homes provide us a sanctuary by surrounding ourselves with possessions that feed our souls, keep our memories alive, tell stories, or showcase our interests. People desperately seek more positivity - as reflected in their buying trends in 2024 and moving into 2025. These trends are observed clearly in magazine displays, social media posts, and Pinterest, followed by changes in the direction of retail and auction house sales. The key trend in 2024 is what we will call “eclecticity” – favoring and including in the home all those belongings that bring joy.
In the past, furniture companies and named designers' ideas were the only ideas showcased on the printed or digital page. However, "influencers" now have significantly impacted design trends loading consumer tastes with not one singular style of the season but a plethora of styles. Today, design pieces popular in the late 19th century, the bling of the 80s, the free spirit of the 70s, continued repurposing pieces for sustainability, the appreciation of the quality of craftsmanship of handmade pieces from the past, and the movement of outdoor styles and nature itself inside the home all impact the market rather than any singular trend.
Scandinavian furniture continues to be popular with its fresh-washed colors, clean lines, and good quality, especially in this era focused on sustainability. Scandinavian style would be considered a minimalist look and the antithesis of maximalism. Maximalism has resurged, too; it's characterized by various objects placed all over the walls and tabletops where the viewer constantly looks at the many layers. This maximalist style reminds us of the Victorian period, which favored the display of collectibles. Items such as folk art, unique and creative paintings, hand-blown Venetian glass, delft style ceramic tiles, handmade vases, and quilts are splashed throughout interiors. Reframing an antique painting with a modern frame or framing a contemporary piece using an antique frame illustrates a typical daring to do the unexpected in sprucing up the style. Collectors look for rarity, an object's provenance, and the desire to add intrigue to a room. Even the Victorian settees and chaise lounge are making a comeback. As an example, Biedermeier furniture with the light natural-grained woods and simple design can be incorporated into the farmhouse look or a room with a more regal style.
Sculptural, curvy furniture inspired by natural shapes and patterns is making a comeback. This design style, known as biomorphism, originally became popular in the 1980s. Biomorphism design can be observed in fabrics, with their flowing lines, scrolling leaves, and floral motifs highlighting the trend to look to nature for inspiration.
Stripes, a classic geometric pattern, were popular in the 1970s and have rebounded again, especially in rugs; multicolored area rugs also continue to be used to create the illusion of space. Interest in heavily painted furniture has waned and been replaced by a more modern farmhouse style. Some refer to it as "rustic decor," which uses vintage furniture, salvaged materials, and outdoor elements indoors.
Today, rooms' light fixtures, whether oversized pendants, floating orbs, geometric chandeliers, or hanging pieces of abstract shapes, are more eye-catching and draw the eye to them. Gold finishes and neon colors reminiscent of the 1970s are now popular in light fixtures and accessories.
While the change is gradual, we are watching a growing array of design styles that create an eclectic look of blended cultures and mixing period pieces with new and old objects that add the element of surprise and bring home joyful memories. More buyers and designers are embracing the digital world to find that one unique piece. Longevity and sustainability are higher priorities for buyers who want to invest in furniture that will last.
By, Lisa Duke, ISA CAPP