10 years later Fixer Upper In the first episode, Chip and Joanna Gaines decided to renovate a 60s-style house on Lake Waco, Texas. The house had great exterior views and outdated finishes, so the project was certainly a challenge. But after the sixth episode, Fixer Upper: Lake HouseThe final product has been revealed: a gorgeous, tranquil getaway with Spanish Revival influences and ’70s-inspired style.
Lakefront homes are timeless and built to last, but Joanna managed to master seven of the most sophisticated interior design trends for 2024 throughout the space. Every detail, from the home’s midcentury modern furniture to its delicate marble accents, is thoughtfully selected and you’ll never tire of its referential appeal. These are seven of our favorite design trends inspired by lakefront homes and how to incorporate each one in your own home.
7 design lessons from lakeside homes
Interior design trends come in cycles, and lakeside homes are bringing back old school styles with ease. Whether it’s midcentury modern, ’70s style, or Spanish revival, history lives in every room of this space. Below are our favorite lakeside home styles and why they’re so on-trend right now.
1. Midcentury Modern Furniture
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
The midcentury modern influence is evident in every room of this lakeside home. Featuring natural wood accents, rich colors, and organic forms, the space feels like it’s been stepped straight out of the ’60s or ’70s, but fits in with a contemporary aesthetic. In fact, the space’s styling is a nod to one of 2024’s biggest design trends: midcentury modern décor and furniture.
Furniture from this era is sleek and functional, often made from natural materials like wood, metal, and simple upholstery. In the lakeside home’s living room, shown above, a sleek green sofa is complemented by two armchairs and a sculptural marble coffee table. The home’s study features four leather armchairs in the style of the era, and the kitchen bar stools evoke the classic midcentury modern combination of rattan and leather.
Paired with a midcentury modern color palette, metallic accents, and modern architecture with unique details, these pieces of furniture bring a classy, upscale feel to any space. A grooved wooden console table or a sculptural, curved sofa can easily add a touch of historical charm to a modern living room.
Heatherfield Dining Chair
2. Small tiles
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
When you think of the most exciting design trends for 2024, tile probably doesn’t come to mind. But this year we’ve seen a ton of unique tile layouts in bathrooms, kitchens, and other spaces. From striped patterns to classic plaid, designers and homeowners are adding tile throughout their homes for big impact. And powder rooms in lakefront homes embody one of the year’s biggest bathroom trends: tiny tile.
This bathroom follows the lakeside home’s midcentury modern color palette, combining deep green walls with a natural wood door frame and a small yellow-and-white tile backsplash that runs to the floor. The room’s paint color and large mirror set the foundation, while the small tile pattern adds visual interest and depth. Artfully paired with hand towels in a similar pattern, the tile serves as the spotlight in this small space.
Small bathroom tiles are the perfect addition to a bland space. Bathrooms don’t have to be boring, and adding a few colorful tiles proves it. Whatever your restroom color scheme, small tiles will be the finishing detail you need.
3. Spanish Revival Architecture
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
Spanish Revival style is romantic and rooted in history, with plenty of transitional décor and architectural interest. This style revives the best parts of traditional Spanish style while blending it with contemporary design schemes. Accents of pattern and color, textured materials, and a tasteful mix of old and new are all hallmarks of the Spanish Revival trend, which is on the rise in 2024.
In this lakeside villa, architectural details accentuate the exterior: in the living room, an elegant arched fireplace combining stucco and exposed brick finishes highlights the space and blends perfectly with the slightly curved arch leading to the kitchen.
A rafter ceiling painted in the same warm neutral color as the fireplace draws the eye upward and divides this large open-plan area of the home. In the kitchen, a curved island and dramatic range hood further enhance the beautiful Spanish-inspired aesthetic.
4. Marble as a soft accent
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
Marble is a luxurious design detail for any home, but this lakeside home uses the material in a unique way as a soft, understated accent. In the home’s study, a small white marble side table sits in the center of the lounge seating area, while a sculptural, textured coffee table adds subtle impact in the living room.
Natural stone can sometimes look intimidating and harsh, but this use of the material is easy on the eye and feels very natural. Marble is increasingly being used in luxury homes, and it’s an application we want to emulate. Instead of letting marble define the space, add little touches with furniture, lighting fixtures and accessories. Nature-inspired designs will look more beautiful and luxurious than ever before.
Sculptural marble ornaments
5. Simple 70s style
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
1970s-inspired style is making a notable comeback in 2024, and Joanna’s lakeside home masters all of the style’s best parts. With a warm, inviting color palette, casual, comfort-first design choices, and sleek, streamlined furnishings, the lakeside home is a full-on expression of ’70s style, ditching the era’s bombastic, outdated design details, like clashing patterns and a borderline neon palette, for a smart statement of style that suits modern sensibilities.
This lakeside home’s home library is an elegant expression of ’70s style, with floor-to-ceiling display bookshelves, a color palette dominated by natural wood finishes, and sculptural gold light fixtures. The style permeates throughout the home, proving that trends from the decade are making a comeback. This version of ’70s style is timeless and enduring, lending any space a cozy, inviting feel.
6. Nature-inspired color palettes
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
Bringing the outdoors indoors is one of the standout design trends for 2024. And for good reason: taking inspiration from nature is a foolproof interior design strategy. Natural materials are being incorporated into more design schemes this year, with forest green becoming a hot topic.
Joanna didn’t miss the power of the outdoors when renovating this house. In fact, she H&G Ahead of the big reveal, she said nature was one of her sources of inspiration for the interior design: The lakeside home project also inspired the seven-color, nature-inspired color palette, featuring hues like “tranquil water,” “juniper tree” and “remote trail.”
With a neutral palette of warm white hues, rich wood and metal accents, and muted yet fresh green threads throughout, this earthy color palette is one we’d love to replicate. A bold patterned area rug rounds out the look, adding warmth and natural texture.
7. Bold countertops and backsplash
(Image courtesy of Magnolia Network)
Bold stripes will be in style in 2024, with designers Nate Berkus and Queer Eye Starring Jeremiah Brent. While using marble in a kitchen is a classic, timeless approach, the finish featured in this lakefront home represents a bold new approach to countertops and backsplashes. Rather than blending into the rest of the space or providing a neutral base, this marble stands out and defines the overall feel of the space.
A lakefront home kitchen blends beautifully with the stunning views outside to create an exciting and energizing atmosphere. Embracing the joys of the outdoors while still maintaining a sophisticated and luxurious feel, this style is sure to be on trend for 2024 and beyond.
Lakeside homes are a hotbed of interior design trends, and we’re hoping to see more gorgeous ’70s and Spanish-inspired designs. Elegant, upscale, and built to last, these designs are a perfect fit for Joanna’s Fixer Upper Even after 10 years, that feeling hasn’t faded.
