March 2, 2024

Wilsonart, a world-leading engineered surfaces company, has unveiled four new home surface trends that are sure to inspire and bring beauty and function to any new or existing space. With existing home inventory predicted to remain low in 2024, many home buyers are choosing to purchase new construction or instead electing to remodel their current home. Either option takes homeowners on a design journey with an array of endless selections and choices as they look to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle.

“Surface selections are perhaps one of the most important design choices you make in a home because they can be absolutely transformative,” said Danielle Mikesell, global vice president of marketing and design at Wilsonart. “As we continue to balance work, play and relaxation at home, it’s important that our surfaces seamlessly blend performance and style. From keeping it light and bright to turning up the intensity with moody hues or embracing woodgrains in unexpected ways, this year’s surface trends create spaces that embody both form and function.”

Wilsonart conducted research with both design and industry experts as well as homeowners to compile its 2024 forecast. The four surface trends expected to make an impact include:

Light & Bright

In the ever-evolving realm of design, the Light & Bright trend emerges as a captivating focal point, seizing the spotlight and celebrating the timeless allure of white tones. This trend promises to redefine the aesthetic landscape with fresh and bright designs that not only captivate the eye but also elevate the overall ambiance. Modern interiors that embrace the warmth of white tones transform into ideal blank canvases, offering limitless possibilities for creative expression. In the kitchen and bath, white continues to lead as the top choice for styling, and modern countertops in the Light & Bright space are often sleek and slim. In backsplashes, traditional tile is giving way to the more contemporary choice of slab which provides a seamless look and an avenue to introduce statement colors into living spaces.

Crafted Calm

Crafted Calm is a soft, warm, comforting interpretation of casual living and will be seen in homes that prioritize well-being and tranquility. Connecting with nature through design is an essential element of the Crafted Calm trend, and the wellness kitchen is at the center of that connection. Here, look to countertop designs that feature warming hues – trending towards cozy neutrals that inspire a sense of welcome, and pair these surfaces with rich woodgrain looks in cabinetry. As Crafted Calm moves throughout the home, functional hallways and open storage adorned with aesthetic surfaces make it easier for homeowners to reduce clutter and turn practicality into beauty. Crafted Calm brings a sense of relaxation and harmony to residential spaces, creating havens that prioritize both comfort and style.

Fresh Heritage

The new Fresh Heritage trend draws inspiration from the historic English countryside and features traditional woodgrain styling, neutral tones and polished rooms that feel lived-in and loved. It’s a journey into the past with a contemporary twist, adding modern design elements through textures, niche spaces, and contrasting stone and wood colors. Google searches for “English country kitchens” have jumped 144%. Large, statement-making islands are a hallmark of a Fresh Heritage luxury transitional kitchen, but traditional design elements must be combined with contemporary functionality. Cabinet and furniture finishes are another essential design element of a Fresh Heritage home, particularly when they offer expressive texture or invite touch.

Dark & Moody Luxe

The Dark & Moody Luxe trend invites us to turn down color and dial-up the intensity with dramatic color contrasts that convey a deep sense of luxury. Saturated hues like blacks, brown-blacks, and deep blues and greens reclaim their place in our homes, creating a heightened sense of sophistication. Embracing the desire to ‘escape at home,’ this trend introduces exotic wood accent walls, bold open storage, and industrial surfaces that redefine functionality with distinctive, home-defining details. In a Dark & Moody Luxe space, surfaces with a modern ultra-matte finish stand as a stunning addition that invites touch and absorbs light, creating a luxurious and sensory-rich atmosphere. The Dark & Moody Luxe trend also invites you to add luxury where it’s least expected. “The luxe entry and pantry are here. These spaces are no longer an afterthought – they serve as multi-functional extensions of a luxury home,” added Mikesell.

Photo credit: Wilsonart