Superyacht design trends to look out for in 2024

There’s a new wave of design trends shaping the fleet this year. From textured ceilings to sheltered foredecks, BOAT rounds up some stand-out features to look for in 2024...

1. Focus on the foredeck

This year has seen conceptions shift around foredeck space. Previously considered part of the great outdoors (the place to fit sunpads or a helicopter landing pad), designers are now experimenting with sheltered, more flexible configurations. Ferretti Yachts' latest model InFYnito 90, for example, revolves around an "all-season terrace" tucked in the bow. Found forward of the main deck, the area provides a concealed space to relax with a Jacuzzi, fixed sunpads and settee. 

A similar set-up can be seen on Damen Yachting's SeaXplorer series – the first 58-metre Pink Shadow was delivered this year with a sheltered foredeck that is, no doubt, a comforting touch when exploring arctic climates. Another, earlier Damen Yachting that utilises this same design is the 76.9-metre, bronzed La Datcha.

Feadship was also on-trend this year, with its secretive explorer Capri debuting her sheltered foredeck for the first time in October.

2. Textured ceilings

Interior designers are often in playful competition with a superyacht's everchanging scenery. When sunlit waters lie just beyond the window, a little experimenting is required to amp up the visual interest indoors. Textured ceilings are one of the more creative trends that have emerged as a result. In July, O'Rea debuted an undulating "wooden wave" number by Massari Design, while the 46.7-metre explorer KB6 also made a splash this summer with her Design Unlimited interiors. Meant to resemble "lush tropics and oceanside landscapes", the yacht's main saloon and master cabin feature a thatched-roof ceiling installation.

3. Encouraging screen time

When a superyacht's amenities range from an onboard beauty salon to an underwater viewing lounge, the humble television can sometimes feel like an afterthought. And while designers have impressed in the past (the Feadship award magnet Savannah springs to mind), this year saw a fresh surge of screens in unexpected places. Tankoa's 49.9-metre Grey was customised to feature a swimming pool complete with a high-luminosity cinema screen and surround-sound system, while Oceanco's H3 (ex. Indian Empress) underwent an incredible rebuild that, among other things, saw a 10-metre video corridor installed. Her welcome lounge also touts a "tech window" which offers guests a virtual view of the outdoors as well as regular streaming services.

The new Majesty 111 is another screen-savvy superyacht, with one television built into the skylounge bar, another in the bulkheads of its 15-square-metre owner's cabin and a final stashed overhead in the main saloon. Amels and Espen Øino's Entourage is also worthy of note – its extended sundeck has tailored sockets for television screens, which allows for easy removal while crossing.

4. A staircase by case basis

Superyacht staircases have always been a subtle way to flaunt a designer's skills. But this year, they were brought out into the spotlight with some inventive engineering. Alchemy's owners, for one, wanted the "classic yacht layout" ripped out, opting for no lobby and an open, central staircase that would bring the main and upper deck saloons into direct contact. "I expect it will be a design pivot for the rest of the industry,” explained the owner, "It totally changes the feeling aboard, the quality of the light." 

Alchemy debuted at this year's Monaco Yacht Show right alongside Bilgin's Leona, with a creative staircase layout that saw the main saloon directly connected to the beach club. Baglietto's latest entry in its T52 series also had an unexpected approach, connecting the foredeck to the sundeck. The staircase was carefully designed so as not to obstruct the view from the wheelhouse and, when not in use, it slides into the deck using the same mechanism as a passerelle.

5. Blurring the boundaries

Owners have always coveted the flexibility found in indoor-outdoor design, able to offer sun, shade, sea breeze, ocean views and climate control all in one. This year, that boundary was pushed to its limit with the reveal of Benetti's new, RWD-designed Veranda Deck. A reimagined main saloon that sees the barrier between interior and exterior "completely eliminated", it will be exhibited for the first time in 2024, when the first hull in the Motopanfilo 45M series is delivered.

To this end, there's also been a spike in oversized sliding glass doors – including on Poland's largest superyacht (the 44.3-metre Ace) and the open-plan main deck seen on the Arcadia 96 model, with two units slated for delivery in 2024. Moonen Yachts also recently unveiled Botti's interior to BOAT International, which included a peek at her Palm beach-style winter garden. Able to "be opened up nearly completely", the space is prettified by a flower petal light fixture that hovers lightly over the indoor-outdoor room.