Unveiling the Hottest Interior Paint Palettes: 2024’s Design Darling Colors That Have Designers Hooked!

Embark on a style adventure with Southern decorators predicting next year’s trends. From captivating paint colors to ingenious applications, discover the anticipated palette and creative twists that will redefine Southern interiors in 2024. Get ready for a journey into color and innovation!

In our perpetual quest to breathe new life into our living spaces, we’re gearing up for the upcoming year with insights from Southern designers on budget-friendly home refreshes. Betsey Mosby, a seasoned decorator from Jackson, Mississippi, advocates for the transformative power of paint. “It’s one of the most economical ways to infuse personality into a space, and the best part? It’s not permanent,” she shares. Mosby encourages clients to embrace the fun side, especially in intimate spaces like bars or powder rooms. Join us as we unveil the 2024 interior paint trends anticipated by Southern designers, encompassing a spectrum of colors and innovative applications that promise to invigorate your home without breaking the bank.

These Interior Paint Colors Will Be Popular in 2024

Bring On the Brown

Embrace the decadence of design with insights from Louisiana’s Megan Evans and Austin’s Laura Williams as they highlight the rising star in the color palette—chocolate brown. According to Megan Evans, a seasoned designer from Louisiana, chocolate brown is not just a color; it’s a moment. Its rich warmth extends a universal invitation, seamlessly adapting to any design style, be it traditional or contemporary. For a cozy ambiance, she recommends favorites such as Benjamin Moore Chocolate Velvet and Farrow & Ball London Clay.

Laura Williams of ATX Interior Design in Austin echoes this sentiment, predicting the continued dominance of “color drenching.” This immersive practice involves bathing entire spaces, from walls and ceilings to window treatments and accessories, in a single color. However, the twist lies in the shift towards earthier tones, particularly within the chocolate and taupe family. So, prepare to immerse yourself in the luxurious allure of chocolate brown, as it takes center stage in the evolving tapestry of interior design.

We’re always looking for ways to give our homes a little refresh, and with the new year just a couple of months away, we’re turning to talented Southern designers for advice on how to liven things up without breaking the bank. “Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to give personality to a space, and it’s not permanent,” says Betsey Mosby, a Jackson, Mississippi-based decorator. “We encourage our clients to have fun with it—especially in jewel box spaces like bars or powder rooms!” Here are the interior paint trends, from paint colors to unique ways to use paint, that Southern designers are anticipating for 2024. 

These Interior Paint Colors Will Be Popular in 2024

Bring On the Brown

“Chocolate brown is having a moment,” says Louisiana designer Megan Evans. “The rich warmth of this color is super inviting, and it can translate for any design style. Whether you lean more traditional or contemporary, it provides the perfect backdrop for a cozy space. Some of my favorites are Benjamin Moore Chocolate Velvet and Farrow & Ball London Clay.” 

Laura Williams of Austin-based ATX Interior Design agrees: “We are still going to be seeing color drenching [the practice of washing an entire space—from walls and ceilings to window treatments and accessories—in one color] but in earthier tones, like the chocolate and taupe family.”

Say Yes to Red

Before you dive into a color-induced panic, rest assured, we’re not advocating for fire-engine reds. Charleston designer Chelsea Handegan has a different hue in mind: the comforting embrace of earthy reds. According to Handegan, these nuanced reds evoke a sense of comfort and warmth. She recently adorned a client’s historic Charleston home with Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth in the guest bedroom, and her entry floors now boast a faux-marble design in a rich brown-red.

Bethany Adams, a decorator hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, shares Handegan’s optimism for the resurgence of red, singling out burgundy as a particularly promising shade. So, before you hit the panic button, consider the soothing allure of earthy reds, poised to make a stylish comeback in the realm of interior design.

Lean Into Grounded Shades

In the evolving canvas of interior design, Richmond designer Lizzie Cox from Virginia envisions a resurgence of rich, earthy tones taking center stage. With Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster and French Gray earning a special place in her favorites, Cox foresees these hues weaving warmth and sophistication into living spaces. Beyond the subdued neutrals, she also expresses admiration for sunny yellows and turmeric-like shades, infusing spaces with a vibrant energy.

Jessica Davis of Atlanta’s Atelier Davis concurs, anticipating a sustained embrace of nature-inspired colors. Mossy greens, reminiscent of lush landscapes, join forces with the deep, comforting tones of raisins and the radiant warmth of ambers. Together, these hues promise to create a harmonious blend that reflects the beauty of the outdoors within the confines of your home. Get ready to witness a resurgence of earthy elegance, with a palette curated to elevate your living spaces.

Try One of These Popular 2024 Paint Trends

Go Bold with Cabinetry

In the realm of interior design, the pendulum swings towards earthy tones, but don’t let that fool you – spirited hues are stealing the spotlight, especially in unexpected places like cabinets. Dallas designer Lauren Reynolds advocates for a playful palette, especially in smaller spaces where self-expression takes center stage. Meanwhile, Charlotte Lucas from North Carolina is set to turn her kitchen into a visual feast with cabinets painted in a luscious aubergine. Buckle up for a design journey that celebrates color, individuality, and the joy of making a statement in every nook and cranny of your home!

Experiment with Contrast

Greenville’s Caroline Brackett foresees a vibrant shift in interior design, with saturated wall colors taking the spotlight in a deliberately non-matching fashion. Prepare for a departure from the ordinary as walls embrace bold hues, refusing to blend into the background. Brackett also predicts a rise in the contrasting allure of trim and millwork, introducing a dynamic interplay with wall colors.

For those hesitant to commit to bold wall statements, designer Betsey Mosby suggests a subtle yet playful alternative: paint the trim and doors in the same striking shade. This approach offers a tasteful burst of color, injecting a hint of playfulness without overwhelming the space. Whether you’re diving into vibrant walls or embracing a more understated trim, the future of interior design is all about creative color expression.

Dial In on the Details

According to Raleigh designer Maggie Dillon, the future of interior design lies in investing in smaller standout moments. Dillon finds herself drawn to hand-painted whimsical and loose designs that breathe new life into everyday furniture and accessories. Imagine taking an antique chest and adorning it with imperfectly perfect hand-painted stripes or revamping an existing linen lampshade with a burst of multicolor florals. These creative and personalized touches, as Dillon emphasizes, add a fully custom layer to your living space. In this realm of design, the options are limitless, and the rules are delightfully nonexistent, making the entire process that much more enjoyable and liberating. So, get ready to embrace the fun and endless possibilities of adding bespoke, hand-painted flair to your home.

Think Beyond the Walls

Dallas decorator Noel Pittman encourages a departure from traditional paint norms, observing a growing openness among clients to explore colors beyond the walls. Ceilings, once overlooked, are now becoming vibrant canvases for transformative hues. In one project, Pittman is painting the ceilings in boys’ bedrooms with gray-blue and gray-green tones, creating a visual connection to the fabrics in the rooms. This unconventional use of color on ceilings has the power to elevate and redefine a space.

Meanwhile, designer Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design, based in Tennessee, highlights the rising trend of painted floors. Sullivan expresses a fondness for solid colors or even intricate harlequin patterns that contrast with the floor’s natural wood stain. The allure of a well-worn painted wood floor, with its charm and patina, is deemed irreplaceable. As the world of paint expands beyond walls, the ceiling and floors emerge as unexpected yet captivating canvases for self-expression in home design. Prepare to look up and down for inspiration as your living space transforms into a unique and personalized masterpiece.