In 2023’s rapidly changing and evolving world, people are embracing the reality that home is what you make it—and waiting for “forever home” ownership to make changes or customize living spaces is not the goal.
With this year coming to a close, we analyzed over 2.5 million bookings on our platform across the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany from the last 12 months, which shed light on the resurgence of apartment living and how people worldwide are embracing the beauty of small space design with help from local Taskers. Let’s dive into the key trends and explore how to make the most of your small space.
Apartment Moves vs House Moves
Within our Help Moving category, we saw significantly more people moving to apartments this past year in both the United States and Europe.
Likely reasons for this shift? Cost of living increases, moving patterns to new cities, and the need for more practical living arrangements are just a few. And there’s evidence that small space living doesn’t mean keep the white walls or the space as-is. Ready for some of the most noteworthy trends?
2023: Small Space Trends
Trend 1: The Housing Shuffle – Moving Out and Moving In
Small is the new big. As people around the world downsize, Taskrabbit has become the go-to support system for those making the transition. We saw a massive 400% year-over-year increase in Brits who downsized and a 13% increase in downsizing in the United States.
Because of that, it makes sense that studio apartments are trending in popularity. There was a 100% increase in requests from Germans living in studio apartments and a 10% lift in similar requests in the United States. Co-living arrangements are also becoming more popular. Globally, we saw a 5% lift in help among roommates.
Part of downsizing means out with the old — we saw a 71% annual increase in the United States, with the Germans also looking to clear out their spaces; in Germany, we saw a 200% increase in help with decluttering.
Are you downsizing this year? Click here for Help Moving.
Trend 2: Leveled Up Living With Renter-Friendly Upgrades
Renters are looking for ways to make their temporary spaces feel like home, suggesting that renting may be more of a long-term plan for many. In the United States, there was a staggering 40% increase in requests for peel-and-stick wallpaper and an 8% lift for the same in the United Kingdom.
There was also a fourfold increase in requests for showerhead installations to create a spa-like bathroom experience without significant renovations in the United States. At the same time, renters in the United Kingdom have set their sights on the kitchen by opting for temporary backsplash. In the United Kingdom, we saw a 84% spike in help with backsplashes this past year.
We also saw a 10% increase in bookings for both Americans and Brits this year who looked to refresh their curtains and light fixtures.
Trend 3: Entertaining At Home Is The New Going Out
With the tightening of purse strings, entertaining at home is the preferred way to host. Gatherings like themed dinner parties and cocktail and charcuterie board nights are often replacing restaurant reservations, and people are decorating accordingly.
Taskrabbit observed more people hosting their friends this year, with a 16% spike in hosting-related bookings, showing that people are eager to entertain their friends for more intimate and intentional gatherings.
Hosting-related tasks are up 55% among Brits, and Americans are not far behind, with a 16% increase in these tasks since last year. In the United States, bar cart assembly is up 200%, cocktail party help is up 20% and small space assistance is up 15%.
Globally, we saw nearly a 30% increase in help with mini-fridges across the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany—suggesting that people are making more space for entertaining.
Trend 4: #GRWM
TikTok has significantly popularized the “Get Ready With Me” trend on social media. For those seeking to capture viral moments, vanity assembly and organization are key, with Taskrabbit seeing a 79% increase in vanity assembly requests in the United States and a 70% increase in the United Kingdom.
Germans are investing in mirrors to make their spaces look bigger and more expansive—we saw a whopping 150% increase in help with mirror mounting in Germany this year. Meanwhile, Americans want their rooms to look spotless and organized on camera. Vanity organization spiked by 114%, closet organization by 24%, and bathroom cleaning increased by 19%.
Trend 5: What’s Old (Money) Is New Again
Even as people flock to apartments, they seek designs that reflect established styles. The “Old Money” aesthetic is taking homes by storm, especially in Europe. We saw a 100% increase in requests for help with chandeliers in France, a 9% increase in Germany, and a 15% increase in the United Kingdom.
There was also a spike for porcelain-related tasks, especially in Germany where these requests spiked to 200% over last year. But it seems to be a global trend, with a 27% increase in the United Kingdom and an 18% increase in the United States.
In France, antique aesthetics are trending with a 13% increase in requests related to antique decor since last year.
Trend 6: Color Pop
Just because apartments are trending, it doesn’t mean people are settling for white walls. Wall painting is up globally, with a spike of 36% in Germany, 22% in the United States, and 13% in France and the United Kingdom.
Art deco requests spiked by 92% this year in the United States, and the colors trending there are yellow (+15%) and purple (+19%), and beige as a neutral. The Brits may not be feeling quite as bright—there was a 15% increase in requests featuring the color black United Kingdom this past year.
Taskrabbit’s Trend Predictions for 2024
Flexible, multi-purpose spaces
With smaller rooms and more shared spaces, we see a trend towards creative solutions for maximizing every inch of every room. Requests for flex walls—which are temporary walls that can be installed in many different areas of the home easily—are on the rise (+20% in the United States this year) and requests related to “saving space” also spiked.
With creative furniture layouts and additions like flex walls, even small spaces like studio apartments can gain the feeling of privacy. We anticipate that highly functional furniture layouts that maximize small spaces will trend into 2024.
Color drenching
The practice of color drenching, which involves covering nearly every surface in a room with the same color, gained popularity this past year and we expect to see it continue into 2024. Instead of painting only the walls, color drenching involves painting baseboards, crown molding, appliances, and even ceilings in the same tone.
One of its biggest benefits for small spaces is that color drenching can visually make any room look larger. For the boldest among us, vibrant colors like yellow and purple are having a moment, but you can also color drench with more neutral tones. Beige is trending the most—up 26% in the United States and 31% in the United Kingdom.
Character over cookie-cutter
2024 looks practical—people are maximizing space and organization. But the minimalist design trend of years past is out and trends that show off unique personality are in. In the United States, tasks related to “clusters” were up 112%.
What are clusters, you ask? Think clutter—but intentionally aesthetic. The trend, which blew up on TikTok, is the chance to show off one’s most-loved items in visually-pleasing groupings. Unique, eclectic, personality-fueled design choices are in. There’s never been a better time to be yourself when it comes to interior design!
Little luxuries
Instead of over-the-top indulgences, we anticipate 2024 being about small upgrades that bring more efficiency and ease to life. Rental-friendly technology upgrades like voice-controlled lighting, automatic climate adjustments, and smart security systems will continue to make life easier. Indoor gardens that allow people to grow their own food are also likely to take more prevalence as an interior design trend—helping people live more sustainably and add green space to their homes.
Tweaks like new faucets and lighting fixtures, peel-and-stick wallpaper, curtains, and fun design elements continue to grow in popularity. We expect all things “dopamine decor”—think disco balls (up 28% this year), checkerboard print, and accessories made of luxurious materials—to surge into 2024.
How are Small Spaces Impacting Taskers?
As clients become more strategic about how they structure their lives at home, they are embracing getting help and turning to Taskers for their design needs.
This points to an increased level of trust between client and Tasker. On average, US Taskers earn $48 per hour, and with more Taskers signing up to the platform this year with earnings surpassing hundreds of millions, we anticipate Tasker earnings to continue to grow into the new year.
Hire a Tasker to help stay on trend in 2024—or help supplement your income by applying to become a Tasker here.
