The biggest design trends to emerge from Heimtextil '24

This year’s leading textile trade show ended on a high with a 25% growth in visitor numbers and exhibitors from 60 nations (despite the difficult travel conditions on the day). Taking place from the 9th - 12th of January, Heimtextil presented to the design world a host of new materials, AI transformations, talks and workshops, all under the overarching theme titled ‘New Sensitivity’.

Rather than revolving the exhibition around trend forecasting, as would be the norm, the founders instead wanted to ‘holistically’ explore how topics like mindfulness and our bond with nature are continually advancing the industry. As Olad Schmidt, the Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies commented, “the world is changing, and with it, the way we live and the textiles we choose for our homes.”

Visitors had the opportunity to experience how this fresh rhetoric translates into the real world in the ‘Trend Space’, situated in the elaborately designed Hall 3.0. Comprising more than 2,800 international exhibitors, the space paid homage to the industry’s game-changing, scalable sustainability solutions, featuring interactive AI and AR demonstrations that allowed attendees to breathe life into their textile design ideas.

Although there was so much to do and take in, certain themes made their mark on the exhibition:

Unsurprisingly, probably the most significant trend driver for Heimtextil 2024 was sustainability, with a keen focus placed on the product’s life cycle and most importantly, the effect this has on the planet.

From Colorifix’s revolutionary microorganism-powered dying processes to businesses like Noosa, Pond Global, and CiCLO unveiling the benefits of plant-based materials, the exhibition provided a snapshot of what the promising future of design could look like.

70s-themed nostalgia still appears to have a tight grip on the design world, as muted tones like woody browns and earthy greens took centre stage at the exhibition.

Despite this, maximalist interiors haven’t lost their crown. Palettes revolving around rich purples, blues, and teals were popular, beautifully balanced by calming neutrals and soft, peachy pinks and terracotta - proving that Pantone’s trend predictions were on the money.

2024’s colour palette is a delicate mix of cosy and contemporary, but still full of character. Get the look with the timeless Tuscany collection.

Textured surfaces were also a prominent trend this year, as designers continue to embrace a multisensory approach to interiors.

This was expressed through the use of plant-based materials and textiles in particular, exploring the inherent textural properties of these fibres and their natural origin. Derived from crops like cactus, jute and seaweed, these are fibres that can more readily be recycled or recirculated into existing systems.

This is a trend that has been prominent across events and exhibitions in the last few years, as we all look to be more considerate about the raw materials, processes and colours we use in our built environment.

Think depth-enhancing marbles alongside raw wood, stone effects or the rustic handmade aesthetic of our Melrose ceramic tiles - all surface textures that we would find in our natural landscape that are starting to take dominance in our interior worlds.