Can You Feel It? Exploring the Sensory in 2024
In the dynamic realm of interior design, the tactile experience takes centre stage as we venture into 2024. The coming year promises a celebration of materials that engage our senses, transforming living spaces into sensory havens. From the natural nuances of wood to the plush touch of bouclé, designers are weaving a tapestry of textures and materials that invite us to not only see but also feel the essence of our surroundings.
Designers are increasingly exploring the harmonious interplay of textures to create multidimensional and inviting spaces. Jenni Kayne Home advocates for the fusion of plaster walls with wood floors or ceilings, effortlessly bringing dimension to a room. Textile designer, Kathryn M Ireland emphasises the art of mixing corduroys, mohairs, and velvet staples, infusing life into spaces through a vibrant interplay of colour, pattern, and texture. Alfredo Paredes Studio points out, “Tactile finishes that age gracefully will be preferred over slick and new, like handwoven textiles, complex stones, and expressive woods. The subtle sophistication of mixed materials in a room conveys a collected interior, which tends to be more compelling than what appears to have been designed.”
Danish studio Spacon & X, in partnership with Malene Hvidt, underscores the symbiotic relationship between materials and colour choices in interiors. Hvidt notes, “We also try to use colours that emphasise the natural appearance of the material itself.” This philosophy of enhancing the innate beauty of materials is echoed by Tim Greer of Australian studio TZG, who expresses a desire for more natural materials with fewer complex and unsustainable finishes. The drive towards sustainability fuels a resurgence of the arts and crafts style as highlighted by Iram Sultan, “Emotional design, personalised spaces, a fresh approach towards materials, finishes and textures, and interiors that are easy, warm, comfortable and sustainable.”
2024 heralds a tactile renaissance in interior design, emphasising sensory-rich materials. The integration of textures—from the warm allure of wood to the cozy embrace of bouclé—creates inviting, multidimensional spaces. Designers are blending tradition with innovation, favouring materials that age gracefully and highlight their natural beauty.
