Decorating your home is more than just putting a few paintings on the walls, its an expression of your personality in creating a space that reflects you. I've been working in interior design for the better part of a decade now and I have seen a lot of fads come and go. Today, I wanted to share some of the more exciting trends of 2023 that I hope are here to stay!
Sustainable Materials
As the millennials who grew up fearing the hole in the ozone and global warming are starting to become the largest consumer spenders, we are seeing a push towards sustainable home goods. I will always advocate to do your part where you can! When possible, switching to bamboo, reclaimed wood and recycled plastic helps to preserve our forests and keep plastic out of our landfills. Not only is switching to sustainable materials better for the environment, but it can add a unique and rustic feel to your space to make it feel incredibly welcoming and warm.
Bold Colors
80's chic was all about crisp whites and symmetry. 90's had a vibe all its own, with scribbled patterns adorning food court cups and sweaters. The 00's ushered in the tech age and things blurred, bringing back a streamlined simplicity that just doesn't cut it. Today, we are seeing a push towards vibrant and rich color schemes that are designed to stop people in their paths and demand their attention. Over the coming years, expect to see more colors pop up that you would never expect to see in a room, on a house, or even for a carpet. Big bold colors are coming and I don't think I could be much happier about it.
Mixed Materials
Homogeny is a thing of the past. We may not see many carpeted walls, but there will be a mixing of various textures and finishes you just wouldn't expect. More leathers on shag, textured walls as accent walls, velvet matching with silk. This is the beginning of the interior design renaissance and everything goes!
Smart Home Technology
Growing up in the 90's, I remember telling my mother how great it would be if we could have phones that would do calls but show our faces. Her exact words were "No woman would want that because they would have to do their makeup before hand." Luckily for her, I am not the type who likes to say I told you so. As technology has developed, it has ingrained itself into our lives in ways we would think was purely science fiction in our childhood. We have cars that drive themselves, buttons to order our home essentials, virtual assistants to help with daily tasks, video doorbells... The list goes on! Expect to see more smart home technologies coming in the next decade which are going to turn your home into a truly "smart" home that doesn't just anticipate your needs, but acts in order to help make your life easier.
Minimalist and Scandinavian Design
The joke goes that millennials live a minimalist life because we can't afford anything. I hide tears every time I say this because it's half true. However, true minimalism actually costs MORE than to just fill your house with small tchotchkes that hold very little value but more sentimental meaning. One of the big design trends, at least in the higher incomes of society, are the minimalist and Scandinavian designs. The clean lines, neutral color schemes, and simple shapes are a timeless and classic design that will never go out of style. These styles are perfect for creating a calm and uncluttered living space.
Indoor-Outdoor Living
Even though we are connecting to technology even more on a daily basis, we still long for our hunter-gatherer days. More plants are moving indoors and more doors are becoming glass. As we smoothly transition into a life over burdened with technology, we will continue to see a subliminal pushback by trying to incorporate more of the outdoors into our daily lives. We will continue to attempt to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor as we push to have a more connected society.
2023 is set to be an exciting year for home design. From bold colors to sustainable materials, mixing textures and patterns to smart home technology, there is something for everyone in the coming year. Whether you’re looking to update your home with the latest trends or simply looking for inspiration, there's plenty to choose from. Don't see what you wanted on the list? Great! Forge the path ahead and be a trendsetter, the greatest thing about design is it doesn't have to conform to what society is doing at the time. Be visionary! Be You!