Living trends 2024: How do I furnish a chic city apartment?

Living trends 2024: How do I furnish a chic city apartment?

There is no doubt that the way we live has changed in recent years: Working from home, spending more time within our own four walls and the issue of sustainability have all contributed to the fact that we have adjusted our focus a little when it comes to living. As the owner of the exclusive furniture store “Roche Bobois” in 1010 Vienna, Doris Delmas is very familiar with the home trends of 2024 and the wishes of her customers. And reveals in an interview what it takes to furnish a chic city apartment these days.

Light – plan in advance

Before you start furnishing, you should take a good look at the subject of light and lighting. It is worth consulting an expert here – either an architect, a lighting designer or someone from a furniture store. Delmas: “Unfortunately, the topic of lighting is often neglected and only comes up when the home is almost finished. But the right light makes such a big difference in a home!” That’s why she advises “checking in advance that the light in each room is dimmable, what you use as the main light and where indirect light is advisable to create a good atmosphere.”

Walls – natural tones and wallpaper

Based on the question of how you would like to live, the solution in terms of wall design usually results. White walls may be a simple solution, but they are no longer in keeping with the times; instead, the trend is towards warm beige or gray tones. Wallpaper is also becoming increasingly popular, says Delmas. “There is now a very large selection and if you plan the wallpaper with the furnishings, it’s a very nice solution.” Plants are also very much in vogue again today. Delmas: “We’ve had less of that recently, but now it’s a very strong topic. You now also see a lot of living green walls in stores and banks.”

Floors – parquet and stone

Parquet is still the first choice when it comes to flooring in homes. However, it appears less whitewashed today than it did years ago. Delmas: “Very natural oak floors are currently in demand, although how they are laid is also important.” In this case, you should also take the issue of light into account when determining the running direction. Also popular: the combination of parquet and stone floors.

Dining room – large tables, comfortable chairs

Whereas in the past, dining tables were designed for four to six people, today they should seat eight to ten guests. Elongated shapes, usually oval, are currently in demand. As far as surfaces are concerned, stone, ceramic and non-transparent glass are all the rage at the moment. And the chairs should also serve one purpose above all: to be comfortable. Delmas: “They are softer and invite you to stay.” Professional tip: Anyone furnishing dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms should plan in advance exactly how much space is actually available. That’s why “Roche Bobois” also offers its customers free 3D planning. “All the customer has to do is provide the dimensions and information on where the doors or windows are – and we then display the products.” So there can be no surprises afterwards.

Carpets – a comeback

Carpet collections are becoming increasingly important because the 2024 living trend is back. Ensembles – whether carpet and bed or carpet, dining table and couch – are coordinated and enhance the overall appearance of a room. Round rugs are popular, especially with floral or landscape motifs, and wool is the material of choice. Delmas: “Snug and cozy is very popular right now, less so clean chic.”

Sofa & armchair – cozy and sustainable

After a long success story, the leather sofa is as good as obsolete. Today, we are looking for high-quality fabric sofas that also have a long service life and are also available in vegan form (without springs). Whether for single sofas or L-shaped or U-shaped sofas, bouclé is currently the hippest fabric, “because it is very easy to care for and durable”, says Delmas. In terms of color, ochre is currently very trendy, “especially in combination with the color blue.” The wing chair is also experiencing a revival, according to Delmas: “Reading chairs in principle, very popular in the form of swivel chairs.”

Bedroom – the right bed

Box-spring beds remain the non plus ultra in the bedroom, paired with upholstered bedheads that provide a beautiful look and coziness. Japanese beds, i.e. very low beds, have had their day, and pure wooden beds are also on the decline in terms of demand. Delmas: “People today want to be able to sit up in bed and read, so they need good, thick mattresses and a soft headboard.” Storage space in the form of a bed base is also a recurring theme. Those who prefer to put their bed on legs nowadays choose brass or copper-bronze.

In principle, according to Delmas, a perfect mix is what makes a chic apartment. Or, as Nicolas Roche, owner of the company, puts it: “We are returning to simpler things in the 2024 living trends – with a desire for serenity, calm and modesty.”

All photos: Roche Bobois

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