Trends & Influences: Curate

CURATE 

Verb, cu-rate 

Definition: To select and organize items of significant importance for display or use

Most personal home design is about curation—choosing the perfect art, appliances, furnishings and décor to best represent your style. But this year’s Curate trend takes it to the extreme, with carefully selected accents, organizational pieces and statement items that support a clear aesthetic. From a gallery wall of family photos to a perfect stack of vintage glass dishware, your personal touch will be immediately evident.

The idea of curation immediately brings to mind museums, a concept that translates perfectly within the home. Think of your space as your own personal museum, full of the treasures that you hold most dear. Art, furniture and mementos all come together within a room to create a space that’s distinctly you.

The first step in creating your museum-worthy collection is simply to collect. Gather similar themes, colors, and objects in a way that’s meaningful to you. Maybe that’s a wall display of vacation photos alongside postcards from places you visited, or a plant stand overflowing with greenery that improves your mood. It can be as defined or flexible as you like, because this space is all about you. Think of what makes you happy, what you love to show off, and what you want to be reminded of. Surround yourself in these collections to make every room a unique homage to the aesthetics and emotions you value most.

After you’ve gathered your collection, consider how to display it. Refine with a critical eye, remembering that less is usually more. Give your items room to breathe and space to be appreciated on their own. Renowned fashion design Coco Chanel advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” The same goes for what’s in your house! Being selective in your choices allows you—and your guests—to see the value in each and every piece.

You can embrace the Curate trend in other, more subtle ways that you might not expect. Coordinating the elements within a room creates a visually pleasing space that instinctively feels welcoming. It can be as simple as matching bath fixtures with your vanity or mimicking the same material or texture across floors, sinks and walls. When we enter a room that is well coordinated, we get a sense that everything belongs exactly where it is. This makes us feel like we belong in the space as well!

Remember that coordination and refinement still offer room for statement pieces, though. It can be tempting to match everything perfectly, but many spaces benefit from a singular focal point that catches the eye. Your collection could encompass large-scale art, with a different sculpture in each room of the house. This still counts as a curated collection, even when items feel like stand-alone pieces. Again, take inspiration from museums, which balance well-rounded collections with singular showstoppers that command attention.

Organization is a key component of the Curate trend. The old saying, “a place for everything, and everything in its place” holds true today. When everything has a designated place, it’s easy to see that things were intentionally chosen and displayed. A gorgeous bathroom sink may be overshadowed by the clutter of everyday toiletries, but a simple drawer organizer solves the issue. Beyond that, though, your organized items now become a collection of their own. Makeup strewn about the counter conveys a mess, but neatly stored makeup conveys a passion for cosmetics and artistry.

Take a similar approach in the kitchen and living areas for a harmonious home. It doesn’t make sense to put out every piece of antique cookware that you own, but a few carefully placed pots and pans can represent the entire set. There’s a joy that comes from seeing something beautiful, and there’s a complementary joy that comes from discovering the full extent of that beauty. Give everyone a chance to delight in your full collection, properly stowed away in the cupboard, after they’ve been drawn in by a few shining examples set out on display.

Home organization also has the benefit of creating multi-use areas that suit your lifestyle. A glass front beverage refrigerator can call attention to your wine collection and signify that the dining room doubles as a home bar. Similarly, a side counter adorned with stationary or an antique typewriter can convey an office or homework zone within the kitchen. Consider opportunities to curate different rooms and collections to represent everyone who lives in the home. Children can feature their favorite toys on low shelves set at their level, while adults can fill higher shelves with books, plants and sentimental décor. 

Curation is your opportunity to completely customize your home to your unique preferences. Create transitional spaces that meet your needs, like an office that doubles as a guest room, or an outdoor kitchen with a lounge area. This is the perfect chance to work with an interior designer to curate your space. They can help you connect your favorites together into a holistic vision that brings your style to life.

Want more inspiration? Check out all of the 2024 Trends!