5 Trends Designers Want You to Leave Behind for a Cleaner Home in 2024

As the “new year, new me” (or, rather, new home) motto comes around once again, you may be looking to rearrange your space, buy new things, let go of others, or do a complete overhaul. Whether or not you keep up with interior design trends, there is one thing you do to make sure your home feels like a sanctuary: cleaning. Certain trends, however, are notorious for making homes look messier, or require a special level of care that might become too much once the newness wears off. 

I’m always on the hunt for cleaning hacks and tips that ensure I clean smarter, not harder. I figured interior designers might have some unique insight on what trends to leave behind this year, so I can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying my home. I reached out to Cristina Martinez, founder and lead designer of Cristina Isabel Design, and Mina Lisanin, interior designer and founder of ML Interiors, and their suggestions might help you reevaluate your home and decor purchases for the year.

Both Martinez and Lisanin recommend ditching the all-white trend, from cabinets and couches to grout (Martinez says it gets dingy fast). This cold and sanitized look not only feels uninviting, but it also requires constant upkeep to avoid even the tiniest stains and marks. 

“Even with the best performance fabrics and tough rugs, it will take constant maintenance to keep it looking bright and fresh,” says Martinez. “If you have kids, pets, or a high-traffic household, spills and stains are bound to happen and it can certainly be more work to maintain white fabrics over time.”

Lisanin recommends incorporating a mix of neutrals with pops of color through furnishings and accessories, while Martinez recommends pairing a light-colored sofa with a bold rug or cushions to break up the eye.

While open kitchen shelving has had its time in the sun, it may be time to let it go if you’re looking to clean less frequently. Lisanin says that open shelves are an open invitation for dust, forcing you to individually clean the items on display frequently. 

“You might want to consider closed cabinets or cabinets with glass doors,” she says. “These alternatives can still provide storage while reducing dust accumulation.”

Viscose rugs have a soft yet distressed look, while jute rugs are more bohemian and organic. While both have their place in certain home aesthetics, Martinez says these are both hard to clean and can become worn quickly.

“Viscose is hard to clean because essentially the material should not get wet, making stains difficult to remove. Jute, on the other hand, clings onto dirt because of its tightly woven material,” she says. “High traffic can also cause it to fray too much.”

If you’ve had your mind set on a jute rug, Martinez recommends layering it under an area rug to make a large space more interesting and cohesive, while protecting it from excessive wear and tear.

While quartz and marble are elegant and chic, Lisanin says their maintenance is delicate and can be costly. Both are vulnerable to heat damage and easily absorb stains, so you may want to consider how you use your kitchen before installing these delicate and expensive materials. If you still want to integrate quartz or marble into your home, Lisanin suggests smaller pieces of decor or accessories throughout your home like a vase or a paperweight that aren’t as prone to scratches and stains.

Bouclé is one of the trendiest materials, showing up on couches, armchairs, cushions, ottomans, and more. Although Martinez recognizes its appeal for its coziness and soft texture, she says it not only snags easily, but also shows dirt and stains almost instantly — especially around children and petsm due to its white hue. Lisanin recommends microfiber or performance fabrics for high-use pieces like sofas and cushions, while Martinez suggests velvet for bigger furniture pieces because it’s easier to clean, comes in a variety of colors, and still provides that soft and cozy touch for your home.