Top Austin TX, Home Design Trends Defining Stylish Living in 2024

, Feb 26, 2024

Welcome to Austin, Texas, a city renowned for its unique blend of Texan tradition and cutting-edge innovation. As we embark on 2024, Austin’s home design scene is poised to dazzle us with fresh trends that seamlessly combine aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. In this article, we will explore the latest Austin, TX, home design trends that are shaping the future of living spaces in this vibrant city.

Key Takeaways

Austin homeowners are embracing wellness-focused designs, featuring elements like aura-illuminated shades that mimic natural sunlight, promoting physical and mental well-being within the home.
Sustainable living and eco-friendly materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood are prominent in Austin home design, along with energy-efficient strategies such as better insulation and LED light fixtures.
The minimaluxe design trend combines minimalism with luxury, focusing on sociability through soft textures and unique light fixtures, while adapting homes to accommodate smaller spaces and work-from-home needs.

Embracing Wellness in Austin Homes

A living space with natural light in Austin, TX home design trends

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, our homes have become our sanctuaries. Now more than ever, Austin and San Antonio homeowners are prioritizing wellness-focused design, creating spaces that support physical, mental, and social well-being. This holistic approach to interior design, led by architects and designers, emphasizes comfort and relaxation, with modern furniture often taking center stage.

Supporting this wellness-centric lifestyle are innovations like the Aura Illuminated Shades. These innovative shades offer light that replicates natural sunlight, minus the harmful UV rays. These shades, reducing the need for multiple lamps, contribute to overall wellness and serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in home interiors.

Sustainable Living Takes Center Stage

Sustainable living elements in an Austin, TX home

As conscious living takes center stage, Austin homeowners are making a concerted effort to incorporate sustainable elements into their home designs. Commonly used eco-friendly materials include:

Bamboo
Cork
Reclaimed wood
Recycled steel
Timber
Redesigned chipboard

All of these natural materials, inspired by natural elements, add a unique touch while reducing the environmental impact.

Enhancing the energy efficiency of homes is another crucial aspect of sustainable living. Austin dwellers have started to embrace methods such as:

Better insulation
Air leak sealing
Effective daylight utilization
Living walls installation
Use of LED light fixtures

These strategies, combined with a range of styles from rustic to contemporary, define the current trend in sustainable living and home designs in Austin.

The Rise of Minimaluxe Interiors

Minimaluxe, a design movement that originated in Austin, is shaping the city’s interior design landscape. It combines minimalist aesthetics with a luxurious feel, promoting sociability, and has been gaining popularity over the past few years. The interiors are characterized by:

Soft textures
Shapes
Colors that establish an atmosphere of airiness and light
Unique light fixtures

In the Minimaluxe design, social seating configurations hold significant importance. They create a hospitable atmosphere for guests and promote interaction, often using sustainable materials. The result is a blend of minimalism and sociability that feels both modern and timeless.

Adapting to Smaller Spaces and WFH Needs

With the growing trend towards smaller living spaces and the increasing need for remote work facilities, Austin homeowners are adapting their homes to meet these changing needs. One emerging design trend is the focus on multifunctional rooms that can serve as both a living space and workstations.

Dedicated workspaces in the living room, bedroom, or dining area, complemented by dividers or screens for privacy, represent some of the strategies homeowners employ to adapt their compact homes for remote work. Furniture pieces such as a small desk, a coffee table, or open shelving can serve multiple purposes, allowing for efficient use of space.

Zellige Tile: A Texan Favorite

Zellige tile in a modern Texas home design

For a unique and artisanal touch to interiors, Austin homeowners are falling in love with Zellige tile. With its handcrafted quality and earthy color palette, Zellige tile brings a hint of old-world charm to modern Texas homes. These tiles also contribute to the sustainability of a home by being eco-friendly, handmade, and fired at lower temperatures than factory-produced tiles.

If you wish to incorporate this trend in your home, specialty stores in Austin like Clay Imports and Moorish Architectural Design provide Zellige tiles.

Thrifty Design Choices for Maximum Impact

Thrifty design choices are on the rise in Austin. Homeowners are improving their living spaces using cost-effective strategies and repurposed items, creating a stylish aesthetic without overspending. Strategies like scouring thrift stores for decor, finding art, and furnishing homes with affordable thrifted pieces are part of this trend.

Apart from being cost-effective, these thrifty design choices also support sustainability by promoting the use of second-hand items. This helps reduce waste, energy consumption, and air pollution and provides affordable decorating options for homeowners.

Calming Color Schemes for Austin Interiors

Calming bedroom with nature-inspired color scheme in Austin, TX

In 2024, expect to see calming color schemes featuring earthy tones and soft hues in Austin homes. Well-known for fostering a serene, comforting, and warm ambiance, these color schemes have gained popularity among homeowners.

These soft hues have the ability to evoke a sense of nature and bring a relaxing and soothing vibe to the space. Commonly preferred soft hues for home interiors in Austin include:

Browns
Greens
Grays
Muted reds
Soft pink

The Allure of Arches in Austin Homes

Due to their architectural appeal, contrasting shapes, and the softness and spaciousness they lend to rooms, arches are becoming a popular element in Austin homes. They also offer structural integrity, greater strength than flat door frames, and the ability to span greater distances.

Arches have been utilized in design since the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamia and were further developed by the ancient Romans.

Today, homeowners in Austin are integrating arches into their interior designs by drawing from a diverse range of design influences and utilizing resources to enhance the overall visual appeal of their homes.

Smart Home Innovations in Austin

As technology continues to advance, so does Austin’s home design scene, especially in the Texas home market. Cutting-edge smart home technologies like voice-activated lighting, smart glass, and AI-driven home management systems are being adopted in Austin homes.

The growing significance of these technologies stems from their ability to:

Economize time and money for homeowners
Revolutionize lifestyles by creating living spaces that learn from residents’ routines and anticipate their needs
Provide enhanced convenience and efficiency

Maximizing Natural Light in Austin Homes

Maximizing natural light with large windows in Austin, TX homes

In 2024, a significant design trend for Austin homes will involve the use of large windows to maximize the influx of natural light into the living spaces. Incorporating larger windows can increase the amount of natural light, enhancing the feeling of being close to nature and having a beneficial impact on mental health.

Strategies to maximize natural light in your home include:

Adding skylights
Using multiple light sources
Strategic window placement
Using mirrors to reflect and disperse natural light throughout the room.

Outdated Trends to Avoid in 2024

As Austin’s home design scene continues to evolve, certain trends are becoming outdated. In 2024, Austin residents should avoid trends like:

All-white and gray color schemes
Shiplap
Accent walls
Furniture sets
Open concept layouts
Dark metal features
Barn door-style entryways
Basin sinks
Copper kitchen elements

The consensus on these design trends comes from various sources such as:

design websites
publications
architects
interior designers
real estate professionals
builders
everyday homeowners

By avoiding these outdated trends, Austin homeowners can focus on incorporating fresh, modern design elements that reflect the current home design landscape.

Summary

As we’ve explored, the home design landscape in Austin is set to be defined by wellness-focused design, sustainable living, the rise of Minimaluxe interiors, adaptations for smaller spaces and remote work, the popularity of Zellige tile, thrifty design choices, calming color schemes, the allure of arches, smart home innovations, and the maximization of natural light. By embracing these trends and avoiding outdated ones, Austin homeowners can create living spaces that are not only stylish and functional but also mindful of their impact on the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the next trend in home design?

The next trend in home design is expected to include a transition from grays to browns in fabrics, textiles, cabinetry, and case goods, as well as the rise of forest green, curved accents, and stacked tiles, while industrial design, minimalism, and the color gray are phasing out for 2024.

How much rain has Austin had in 2023?

In 2023, Austin had 14.32 inches of rain, which is more than 4” below the expected rainfall for that period.

How many days of sunshine does Austin Texas get a year?

Austin, Texas gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a great place for outdoor activities year-round.

Does Austin have a design district?

Yes, Austin has a design district located in Old West Austin, along the West 6th Street corridor. It’s a hub for talented designers and business owners, offering a variety of design options.

What is the Minimaluxe design trend?

The minimal-use design trend combines minimalist aesthetics with a luxurious feel while promoting sociability, originating in Austin.

Categories City Guides Relocation Guides

About the Author

Last updated: 02/26/2024

2300+ Client reviews!

Elli Overton

Tara McGuire recently sold our house in Circle C and did an amazing job. She is so easy to work with, knowledgable, and responsive. I believe she got us top $$. Highly recommend working with Tara and her team at Bramlett! Their service was all inclusive with staging, marketing, etc. No nickel and diming. Just great service.

Anwesha Dhillon

It was pleasure working with Tammy Costello from Bramlett Residential Real Estate in finding our home. We could not have imagined the process to be as seamless and easy as it was! As first-time home buyers, Tammy walked us through the process and guided us through each step. She is meticulous, has great communication and negotiation skills. With her help and years of experience, we were able to find our dream home. Thanks for making it so easy, Tammy!

Ryan Goodbary

I had the pleasure of working with Vicki Duran and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, Vicki demonstrated deep knowledge of the market and a genuine commitment to understanding my needs. Her communication was exceptional – always prompt, clear, and informative. Throughout the process, Vicki went above and beyond, negotiating on my behalf, explaining the process/each step along the way, and ensuring every detail was taken care of. Her professionalism, dedication, and personalized approach was exceptional. She truly cared and I felt like I was working with a close family friend (having never met her before the process began). I can’t emphasis enough how seamless she made the process for me. People have the perception that buying a house is an extremely stressful process. My experience could not have been farther from the truth. I joked with her at times how smooth/easy buying a house was, all because of Vicki!

I could not have asked for a better agent. I’ve already referred a few friends to Vicki and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks again, Vicki!

Brad Henry

Blessed to have connected with Kristen! I can’t say enough great things about Kristen. Her professionalism, market knowledge, and communication were beyond compare. She was incredibly patient throughout our home search. We looked at a countless amount of homes (we are very picky), and never once felt she was trying to push us in to something that wasn’t the right fit for the sake of a sale. We always felt she had our best interest in mind. Couldn’t recommend her more!!!

Taylor Constantine

Sally was referred to me via a business network when I first moved to Austin in 2022. She helped me understand the area, evaluate my options, and find the perfect spot in a tough market. Sally has been a joy to work with because she creates partnerships + friendships with her clients!

Scott

I was impressed by Sally’s expertise in selling both my investment property and my primary residence, and in helping us buy our dream home. At our initial meeting, we found Sally knew the real estate market, but found even more impressive her emotional quotient in understanding and navigating the differences between my partner’s and my very different personalities. For my investment property, she timed the showings and sale perfectly and created a helpful Excel spreadsheet comparing the many offers. She was also savvy enough to suggest we pay the tenants a fair amount of money to make the property available for viewing from 9am – 5pm on the first weekend to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to get through, and we let her deal directly with the tenants because we could tell her people skills would serve us well

We got multiple offers by the deadline on Monday afternoon with one outlier that was $150K higher than what we had unsuccessfully listed the property for (with a different realtor) a year earlier!

When it came to selling my primary home, Sally’s expertise in the luxury market, and in historic homes in particular, truly shone. She understood that selling a high-end property, with various restrictions, required a different approach. Sally crafted a listing for the home that perfectly captured its unique character and premier location. Her marketing strategy was well timed and appropriate for the more limited market, attracting the right buyer pool and creating a sense of exclusivity around the property. She suggested listing it on the private market for a week or two before sending a message that it would be listed on the MLS. She organized private showings that allowed buyers to experience the warmth and charm of the home and the neighborhood, which I believe was instrumental in securing a sale.

The pricing and marketing strategy Sally recommended was spot-on, and we sold the home at a price that far exceeded our expectations. Sally helped thread the needle perfectly.

Sally is also accessible. We found more well-known realtors would respond to our email days later, whereas she was always available right away to answer my questions, and provided us with regular updates, making sure every detail was handled with care. Selling a high-end property can be a stressful experience with fewer potential buyers and some downtime inherent in waiting for the right buyer, but Sally made it a smooth and surprisingly easy process encouraging us to be patient while giving us enough information on what was happening to satisfy both me and my partner. In the end, we were thrilled with the results

Sally’s rep of us as sellers could not have been more professional, but her work repping us as buyers is the most memorable. We were trying to be our dream home in an overheated market, and Sally gave us advice that at each turn proved invaluable. She recommended offering just the right amount above the offer price for us to make it to the next round of offers. She handled a very difficult appraisal process by advising us on financing sources, even offering to help us put down a higher amount by loaning us money herself! We were able to finance the home without taking her up on that offer, but how many realtors make that kind of offer to their clients? In the end, we closed on the house ontime and ended up with the home of our dreams, thanks to Sally’s world-class advice and service.

We cannot say enough good things about Sally’s technical knowledge, people skills, and responsiveness. You won’t find a better realtor in Austin.

lucille wood

I have lived here in Austin for more twenty-five years, and have bought and sold several homes and rented others during those years. I have worked with five realtors during that time. SALLY IS BY FAR THE BEST OF ANY IN TOWN. Her work ethic is simply unmatched. She hides her competitive streak underneath a layer of Austin hip and friendly, but she will absolutely get you the best home, the best deal, and stop at NOTHING to get your home sold as well!

Sally loves real estate. She has a genuine passion for Austin, too, and for her client’s well-being. She took time to understand my needs and was always available to answer any questions and provide me with honest and insightful advice.

We toured many homes in Barton Hills and settled on a great home that was hotly contested by builders and homeowners. Sally understood how we could be the preferred buyer without getting into a bidding war. She knew the motivations of the Seller and we maneuvered and negotiated the contract and secured my dream home.

Furthermore, at the 11th hour, the day before we were set to close, our lender said we needed to put a fence around the pool before they would release the funds. The seller was not inclined to extend the closing again. We were out of town. Sally saved the day by racing to Home Depot and getting the largest tarpaulin available and then securing it over the pool at the house. Sent pics to the lender and we were set to close.

In short, Sally will work harder and smarter than anyone. She’s simply the best.

Daniel Carroll

Sally is incredible! She spent nearly 2 years with us – understanding our very specific preferences and needs – to help us find our dream home. She was the first agent to reach out when the home was listed and negotiated the contract astutely so that we secured the home. The home was only in the framed stage, still had a few months until completion. Once it was completed, however, our plans had changed and we needed to get out of the contract. We were expecting to have to relinquish our very considerable deposit. But Sally spent the entire weekend working on a way to get us out of the contract AND get our deposit back. Everyone we have spoken to about this extraordinary outcome has been surprised that Sally managed to get our deposit back for us. Thank you Sally, we can’t recommend her highly enough.

Amit Melwani

Sally is reliable, diligent in her research, prompt on exchanges, creative in deal making, and has a tremendous work ethic. She is the sole reason we were able to close on our primary residence, which has been our dream home and a fantastic investment. From there, we’ve gone on to close on multiple rental property purchases in Austin together. Thanks to her astute analysis, we’ve passed on many deals as well, which has proven just as valuable. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Dom Chapman

I highly recommend Kiel if you’re looking to rent a place in Austin. We originally met him to look around a particular unit, and when it was not to our satisfaction, he was able to quickly take us around many more units that day. He also set up a whole day of viewings for the very next day! Within 48 hours we had done enough viewings to be confident in choosing a new home. The landlord accepted our offer and Kiel handled all of the paperwork, even stopping by our hotel to pick up the needed checks. We couldn’t be happier.

Kiel is highly organized and unlike some realtors in the Austin area, he is responsive and ready to move quickly. We were always able to contact him and never left waiting.

Caroline Hunt Rizzo

Kiel has your BACK!! We are so grateful to have had his guidance and knowledge while navigating the intense, frustrating and way competitive Austin rental market. He quickly picked up on our taste and designed a game plan to help us push through the clutter and get to the properties that best suited us. He was ALWAYS available to us and answered our emails, calls and texts with great speed. We’re so grateful to have had him on our search team. Because my goodness, it really is a crazy market out there!

rkcroissant

Kiel was amazing to work with! He walked us through everything, explained anything we didn’t understand, and he is is just a great guy to work with. As a first time home buyer, his knowledge was invaluable. 10/10 would recommend!

Click Here to Read All Reviews