The Home Trends Report
The Home Trends Report
Having a home is about more than just having a place to live – it’s a reflection of your personal style and a space to make truly your own.
Looking back over 2024, we can see that social media sparked a variety of home design trends, from cosy cottagecore kitchens to bold maximalist bedrooms.
On Instagram, the hashtag #DIYHomeDecor amassed over four million posts, while TikTok’s #homedesign tag boasts more than 944,000 videos showcasing users’ interior transformations.
To uncover the most popular home trends of the year, our team analysed Instagram and TikTok posts, along with Google search data, to determine which interior trends were the fastest growing in 2024. We also spoke to an interior specialist to learn which trends are expected to shape homes in 2025.
If all this inspires you to take on your own project, we’ve included helpful tips on what to consider before you start – ensuring both your home and home insurance policy are protected in case something goes wrong.
The top 20 home trends of 2024
We analysed social media data from TikTok and Instagram, along with Google search data, to identify the most popular home trends of 2024. Each trend was then ranked based on the number of Instagram and TikTok posts, the average monthly Google searches, and the percentage increase in searches compared to the previous year.
| Rank | Trend | Number of Instagram posts | Number of TikTok posts | Average monthly Google searches in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottagecore | 5,900,000 | 1,900,000 | 22,200 |
| 2 | Home café | 2,400,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,300 |
| 3 | Mid-century modern | 7,557,396 | 121,100 | 8,100 |
| 4 | Wall panelling | 212,465 | 34,200 | 165,000 |
| 5 | Fridgescaping | 718 | 463 | 4,400 |
| 6 | Smart home | 3,428,671 | 398,500 | 8,100 |
| 7 | Media wall | 158,317 | 25,200 | 90,500 |
| 8 | Kitchen island | 1,431,653 | 23,600 | 40,500 |
| 9 | Garden room | 311,000 | 9,282 | 60,500 |
| 10 | Bi-folding doors | 210,088 | 9,154 | 49,500 |
| 11 | Acoustic wall panel | 130,008 | 9,113 | 33,100 |
| 12 | Eclectic decor | 1,400,000 | 31,600 | 260 |
| 13 | Neutral home | 1,248,250 | 51,800 | 140 |
| 14 | Herringbone floors | 638,000 | 21,200 | 12,100 |
| 15 | Bohemian | 963,000 | 6,889 | 590 |
| 16 | Green kitchen | 148,410 | 5,298 | 9,900 |
| 17 | Limewash paint | 15,749 | 3,022 | 9,900 |
| 18 | Ambient lighting | 128,595 | 17,600 | 5,400 |
| 19 | Pink kitchens | 94,788 | 17,800 | 5,400 |
| 20 | Vintage lighting | 325,123 | 2,307 | 1,600 |
Disclaimer: In total, we looked at over 50 trends, this table shows the top 20.
Social media’s top five viral home trends for 2024
1. Cottagecore
Cottagecore, the trend of rustic comfort in the home combined with natural materials, takes the top spot as the most popular home trend of 2024. With almost 6 million Instagram posts using the hashtag and a 50% increase in popularity since 2023, it seems that more and more people are looking to embrace this cosy, nature-inspired aesthetic as a way to create peaceful, inviting spaces in their homes.
Some of the ways people are bringing the cottagecore trend into their homes include adding vintage accessories like brass candlesticks, lace tablecloths, and woven baskets. Soft, warm lighting from candles or fairy lights can also create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
2. Home café
Home café ranks as the second most popular home trend, with the hashtag appearing in over 1.5 million TikToks and 2.4 million Instagram posts under #homecafe.
Interest in the at-home aesthetic has surged, as evidenced by a 122% increase in Google searches for the ‘home café’ trend over the past year. Brits embracing this trend can recreate the classic coffee-shop atmosphere at home and enjoy the thought of saving on the three or four pounds they’d be paying if they went out for an iced latte.
Also known as ‘cafecoré’, this trend focuses on crafting a warm, welcoming kitchen ambience. Key features include hardwood surfaces, calming colours, open shelving, and the all-important coffee machine.
3. Mid-century modern
The mid-century modern aesthetic ranks as the third most popular home trend of 2024, with just over 120,000 TikTok videos and more than 7.5 million Instagram posts using the hashtag – the highest number of Instagram posts for any trend on our top 30 list.
This timeless style features open-plan layouts, organic shapes, and a mix of 1950s and ’60s tones. Moving away from the soft, cosy interiors of cottagecore or café-inspired designs, mid-century modern embraces clean lines, and a sleek yet inviting look.
4. Wall panelling
With an average of 165,000 Google searches per month, wall panelling ranks as the fourth most popular home trend. The trend's popularity is evident on social media too, with over 212,000 posts on Instagram and over 34,000 on TikTok showcasing creative and inspiring wall panelling designs.
From shiplap to shaker style, panelled walls are a popular way to add character to any room. While some people choose ultra-modern, wooden strip panels for a feature wall, others might choose the more classic wainscoting style that runs along the lower half of walls.
We spoke to Chloe, 24, from Nottinghamshire, who DIYed her own wall panelling in her living room:
“When moving into my new home, I knew I wanted a feature wall in my living room. The wall panelling project cost us less than £250, and we were inspired to try it ourselves after seeing some great ideas on TikTok. We had been quoted over £600 by a professional, which included boxing off a wall and plastering it, so DIY was a much more affordable option.
“The panelling was from a popular hardware store, and the process was surprisingly straightforward – as long as you ensure the panels are securely attached to prevent them from falling off. Adding trimmings at the top and bottom is a great tip to help keep everything aligned and looking professional.”
5. Fridgescaping
Rounding out our top five is the trend of 'Fridgescaping', which has seen a staggering 43,900% increase in Google searches over the last year. As this is a relatively new trend, the number of social posts is still catching up, with 463 posts on TikTok and 718 on Instagram.
While most of us use our fridges simply to chill food, others are transforming theirs into curated, Instagram-worthy spaces. Fridgescaping involves using stylish food containers, ceramic butter dishes, and even adding flower arrangements or picture frames for a touch of personality.
If you’re inspired to try this trend, do of course remember to choose decorative containers that are food-safe as well as stylish.
Also big in 2024: colour drenching and dopamine decorating
The colour-drenching trend, which involves painting walls and ceilings in a single colour for a cohesive and immersive look, has surged in popularity, with a 519% increase in search demand since last year. This striking interior design choice creates a dramatic and unified aesthetic, making rooms feel both modern and deeply personal.
Dopamine decorating – a trend focused on sparkling joy through vibrant colours, playful patterns, and bold decor – has seen a 173% increase in search demand. Rooted in the idea of enhancing mood through design, this trend embraces maximalism and creativity with bright, eclectic spaces that reflect personality and optimism. Whether it’s a room filled with lively hues or quirky statement pieces, dopamine decorating is all about creating interiors that feel energising and uplifting.
Interior expert predicts the popular home trends for 2025
To uncover the home trends set to shape our interiors in 2025, we turned to Seymen Usta, an Interior Design Specialist. He told us how key design trends in 2025 will likely be influenced by sustainability, bold aesthetics, and urban living:
“As people become more environmentally conscious, sustainability has become a key factor in design. Natural materials like reclaimed wood, organic fabrics and energy-efficient lighting are gaining in popularity.
“Bold colours and patterns are also on the rise, with accent walls and statement lighting fixtures allowing for personalised, vibrant spaces. Urban living is driving demand for multi-functional spaces, so flexible layouts with modular furniture and adaptable lighting are key features in these spaces.
“I predict a resurgence of jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and amethyst, as well as earthy ochres and clays paired with bold geometric or organic patterns inspired by nature.”
How to DIY your home the smart way
DIY projects can be a great way to add personal touches to your home, but it’s important to know how these changes can affect your home in the long run. Anna McEntee from the Home Insurance team at Compare the Market shares her top tips on how to DIY your home the smart way:
1. Let your insurer know
If you’re planning to have work done, such as a new bathroom or new floors laid, it’s important to let your insurance provider know beforehand. It’s likely that you will have tradespeople coming through your home, making your property less secure. Your insurance provider may have conditions within your policy regarding building work that accounts for this risk.
Accidents can also happen during DIY projects, so you may want to consider accidental damage insurance to protect any damages in your home during the project.
2. Will the DIY project affect your home’s value?
While some DIY projects can help boost the value of your home such as a new paint job or replacing carpets, it’s important you don’t accidentally increase the rebuild cost.
Consulting with your insurance provider will help you find out if your DIY project will impact your home’s value, as well as your insurance premium. They can also let you know if your policy needs to be updated to include the improvements made.
3. Consider sustainable renovations
DIY jobs not only make your house feel more like a home, but you can also make sustainable choices as you customise your living space. Interior choices such as floor insulation can help reduce energy usage, and swapping traditional bulbs for LED lighting can help you use up to 90% less energy.
When it comes to filling up your home with furniture, purchasing reclaimed goods can be a sustainable way to decorate your home, and can also mean saving a little bit of money too.
Methodology
Using desk research to find the most popular home trends of 2024, we created a seed list of the top 52 most popular trends.
The ranking was created using the following metrics:
- The number of Instagram posts under the trend’s hashtag – Instagram
- The number of TikToks under the trend's hashtag – TikTok
- The UK average monthly Google search volume for each trend between January and October 2024 – Google Keyword Planner
- The UK Google search increases year-on-year for each trend – Google Keyword Planner
Each metric was then indexed, and the average of these scores created a final score. Final scores were then ranked from highest to lowest.
Data was collected in October and November 2024 and was correct at the time of research.
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Anna McEntee – Home, travel and pet insurance expert
Anna’s all about delivering fantastic insurance products at a great price. Value is the most important thing for Anna, as she cuts through the jargon and finds what’s most important and worth your hard-earned money.