Design Trends in 2023

Interior design in 2023 is less about trends, and more about creating spaces that feel and look good, not just today… but for years and years to come. With that in mind, here are a few “trends” that are timeless enough to invest in, that we think you’ll start to see more of this year. 

IN: Wood/Warm Tones OUT: Monochromatic/minimalist 

For the past several years, we have seen white everywhere. And for good reason… white is classic, clean, timeless, and inoffensive to pretty much everyone. However, too much white can often feel devoid of any personality or warmth, which is why the “all white” look is losing momentum going into 2023. 

A seamless alternative that adds warmth leans into colors and textures found in nature. An organic material palette is arguably more everlasting than “all white” if done well. Think brown, beige, green, black, wood, stone, brick, etc. This year is all about resisting the urge to paint all natural materials white, and taking advantage of textures that add depth to your home. Think of it like this… there is nothing more beautiful than going on a hike and being surrounded by trees, rocks, grass, dirt, flowers, etc… now imagine looking around and seeing everything covered in a thick layer of white paint…

IN: Curated Interiors OUT: Themed Interiors  

When selecting finishes and furnishings, elevate your home by mixing styles, eras, and textures. Focus on filling your home with details that you truly love vs following a specific trend. Going all in on the farmhouse, ultra-Modern, boho, or vintage aesthetic will not only date everything in your home as soon as that trend cycle is over but can make your home feel mass-produced and cold. 

An effective way to create a timeless space is to focus on opposites and contrast. Mix light and dark, old and new, feminine and masculine, patterned and neutral, and most importantly… displaying things that mean something to you. This curated approach will look fresh for much longer. 

IN: Molding OUT: Accent Walls 

Accent walls have been everywhere for the past few years, creating an easy, cost-effective way to add personality to your home in just a short weekend. However, the splash of color can sometimes make a room feel unfinished and arbitrary. 

Wall molding is a tried and true way to bring your walls to life, adding texture, depth, and a subtle piece of historical charm. There are countless styles of wall molding but think of it as anything that adds visual interest to your wall... This can be done with heavy trim work, wainscoting, wall paneling, box beam ceilings, chair rail, etc. 

IN: Space to spread out OUT: Open Floorplans

The open floor plan concept was introduced in the 70’s, an idea that allowed homes with smaller footprints to have an open space to host and entertain guests without owning the largest house in the neighborhood. 

Since the 70’s this open concept has become standard for building today. You would be hard pressed to find a home built within the past 15+  years that doesn’t contribute to some kind of open floorplan, however covid changed the way we live in our homes and highlighted some discrepancies in this ever so popular layout. 

Humans have always needed the sense of comfort and privacy that defined rooms provide, but with the increase in remote work and school, it has become even more necessary. The combination of living quarters makes working, studying, reading, talking on the phone, or entertaining much more difficult with the backdrop of pots and pans banging…. The need for privacy may explain the rise of man caves and she-sheds that have been built in the past few years.

Additionally, large continuous spaces are much harder to keep clean. Messes and smells are no longer isolated, but can be easily tracked throughout the entire living quarters… keeping a tidy home is more difficult, or I guess harder to hide! 

Lastly, open living spaces hinder the ability to cultivate different feelings throughout your home. Say you want a white open kitchen, but would prefer a dark and moody living space, and found the perfect wallpaper for your dining room… The idea of giving off a different feel in each space can be challenging.