7 Fabric Trends Taking Over Interior Design in 2024
Fabric trends are more than just fleeting fads—they reflect the evolving tastes, tech advancements, and cultural shifts within the world of interior design. Each year, new fabric trends emerge, giving us fresh ways to jazz up our spaces with style and functionality. Whether it’s the latest materials, eye-catching patterns, or eco-friendly options, these trends do more than just look good; they also tackle real-world needs and environmental concerns.
In 2024, fabric trends are about mixing timeless styles with fresh, modern twists. We are focusing on fabrics that not only look pretty but are also durable, sustainable, and super versatile. With a bigger focus on green materials and the latest textile tech, today’s fabric trends are about finding the sweet spot between great design, comfort, practicality, and doing right by the planet. So, stay tuned as we explore the latest fabrics that are shaping interiors.
1. Classic Stripes
Striped prints are really making waves in home decor this year. Thanks to their versatility and enduring charm, this classic pattern has been a staple in furnishings for centuries. Stripes bring a neat, tailored look to your home and can even play tricks on the eye and accentuate architectural features by making rooms appear taller with vertical stripes, wider with horizontal ones, and adding a dynamic touch with diagonals. The fabric choice can change the aesthetic of a space, too. “Stripes look casual on cotton and linen or dressy if introduced on a silk fabric,” explains Debbie Mathews, founder and interior designer at Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs. “They’re such a versatile pattern and can create much interest when used in different directions on the same project,” she says. So, whether you want to create a laidback or elegant look, stripes offer a versatile solution.
2. Perennial Floral Favorites
Floral fabrics have blossomed into one of the top fabric trends of the year. “Florals are back in a big way—large and small, bright and bold, or soft and muted,” confirms Maggie Griffin, founder and interior designer at Maggie Griffin Design. These vibrant patterns celebrate the beauty of nature, infusing spaces with elegance and a touch of whimsy. The enduring charm of floral patterns ensures they’ll never go out of style, providing a sense of reassurance to those who have always loved them. They continually evolve with each season, offering fresh styles and color palettes.
Oversized, dramatic blooms on sofas, chairs, and ottomans make bold statement pieces that instantly brighten a space. On the other hand, small, delicate prints on curtains and drapes bring the outside in, creating a serene, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re aiming for a quaint country feel or a bold, modern look, there’s a floral pattern to bring your vision to life.
3. Nostalgic and Historic Prints
Design trends often pull from historical influences, so it’s not surprising that one of the latest fabric trends is heritage prints. “I am seeing lots of historic prints—like florals, damasks, and medallions—being brought back from the archives and recolored,” Mathews says.
Tricia Guild, OBE, founder and creative director of Designers Guild, has also noticed a resurgence of nostalgic prints. “Tweeds and velvets continue to feature each season in our collections due to their timeless quality and durability,” she says. This resurgence of historical prints in modern interior design is a testament to their enduring appeal and adaptability.
Historic prints are being revived with modern color schemes and simplified or abstracted to fit modern minimalist aesthetics. Other designers bring the past into the present by upholstering contemporary furniture with heritage prints. By blending these timeless patterns with modern techniques and sensibilities, designers create spaces that honor the past while looking forward to the future.
4. Design That Tells a Story
This year, designers are adding depth and context to their designs through fabrics that tell a story. “The importance of buying well is now more crucial than ever,” Guild says. “I think consumers are more interested in fabrics that they know to tell a story—whether that’s with a design that has been created and hand painted, or that the fabric has been sourced from authentic textile mills, with the highest quality yarn,” she says.
David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin, agrees. “Fabric trends for 2024 are showcasing a vibrant blend of cultural influences and artistic expressions, with a notable emphasis on folk-inspired embroidery and South American textiles,” he says. “Embroidery techniques such as chain stitch and crewelwork add texture and dimension to fabrics, creating a handcrafted look that stands out in any space.” Harris suggests looking out for rich, bold color palettes typical of folk art, such as reds, blues, and yellows, and natural, earthy tones like browns, greens, and ochres. Furniture upholstered with hand-woven fabrics paired with embroidered cushions and throws make a statement and lend a sense of history, place, and craftsmanship that add a bespoke, hand-made feel to any space.
5. Blues and Greens Reign
Blue and green color palettes have stolen the spotlight in this year’s fabric trends. “Blues and greens with more browns (no more grays!) continue to be the top color choices for 2024,” Griffin says. Deeply rooted in nature, these hues reflect our ongoing desire to connect with the environment and harness its natural, comforting, and relaxing qualities. “Without a doubt, green is reigning supreme in multiple shades. From a soft sage green to rich, deep forest and emerald green,” Mathews says. “The beauty of green is that it pairs well with so many other colors.” While most of her clients seek a blue and green color palette, Mathews also recommends pairing green with pink, butter yellow, lilac purple, and red.
6. Sourcing Sustainable Materials
Sustainability is at the forefront of design decisions this year as we collectively focus on consuming and producing products that are less harmful to the environment. “People are asking for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and hemp as well as textured fabrics like mohair, boucle, and cut velvet,” Mathews says. But, as technology evolves, we’re seeing a surge in innovative fabric designs made from recycled materials and bio-based fabrics, like plant-based vegan leather.
“Sustainability is hugely important for [Designers Guild], and it continues to gather momentum each season,” Guild says. “Each season, we increase our recycled fabric and accessory collections and strive to explore and push boundaries.”
7. A Focus on Durability
Interior design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about functionality and practicality, too. “My clients want beautiful fabrics that are aesthetically pleasing, but they are also asking for performance fabrics that are durable and stain resistant,” Mathews says. Performance fabrics are designed for durability and longevity and engineered to withstand heavy use, resist wear and tear, and maintain their appearance over time.
“Depending on usage, durability remains at the top of our priority list,” Griffin says. “Comfort and durability are top priorities for upholstery, whereas color, pattern, and fabric content are more important for drapery and secondary soft goods.” People are prioritizing convenience, choosing upholstery and window treatments that are easy to clean and maintain—especially in homes with kids and pets. This choice helps them avoid the hassle of constant upkeep and enjoy a more effortless lifestyle.
link