Home & Design Trends
8 Home & Design Trends Primed to Take Over in 2023
From textured upholstery to painted floors.
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As a homebody who also happens to work from home, I spend a lot of time inside the same four walls. It can get pretty boring looking at the same decor day in and day out, so I try to keep my living space fresh with seasonal updates (think: swapping pillows and blankets every few months) and incorporating new trends where I can (for instance, if I’m upgrading a piece of furniture or considering painting a room).
Luckily, 2023 has already given us plenty of trends to be inspired by: We’re leaving neutrals and minimalism in the rear-view mirror and embracing organic forms and textures, bold colors, and personality-packed patterns. Here are eight home and design trends to keep an eye on this year, plus tips for incorporating them into your own abode.
I’m currently in the midst of a living room refresh, so I’ve been regularly browsing and bookmarking furniture ideas the past few months. Virtually everywhere I’ve looked (both online and in-store), there has been an explosion of textured upholstery fabric like boucle, faux fur, and shearling. “Durable but plush-feeling fabrics are making a comeback in the organic modern decor trend,” explains Ricky Gonzalez, Senior Creative Director at American Signature. “Boucle continues to be a very popular choice, with its fuzzy coziness that is also more long-lasting than any type of shaggy, fur-like fabric.”
I have a serious crush on The Perry Chair from Maiden Home, but I’ve also seen similar boucle fabric armchairs at Article and Target for much less. These fabrics offer more visual interest than your average woven option, and they’re a fabulous choice for a statement piece in your living space. If you don’t want to commit to all-new furniture, you can always spruce up your existing space with a few textured accent pieces—like a sheepskin rug or a few textured throw pillows, which will offer the same effect for much less.
Furniture isn’t the only place where people are exploring texture in 2023. Limewash paint is also gaining popularity; this paint style has a subtle chalky appearance that gives any room a romantic feel and old-world appearance. While it was traditionally made by crushing up limestone and mixing it with natural pigments, limewashing is much easier to accomplish today thanks to premixed limewash paints and specialty paint brushes.
“This year, my clients are requesting a textural moment on their walls,” says interior designer Elisa Baran. “Limewash paints like JH Wall Paints can be layered in the application and have a soft chalkiness to the finish which gives an ethereal softness. You can also add depth by building colors on top of one another.”
Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying that painted floors are a trend to watch. Instead of undertaking the time-consuming and expensive process of replacing or refinishing old flooring, many people are opting to simply paint over their hardwood, tile, or linoleum floor coverings. For the sake of simplicity, a plain color might suit you just fine (shades of white often give off a beachy cottage vibe), but you can dial up the design using a stencil or pattern.
When painting your floors, durability is key. If you use regular wall paint, you’ll probably need to cover it with a layer of polyurethane to prevent chipping over time. Alternatively, you may want to look for a more durable option, such as enamel paint, which is designed to stand up to more wear and tear.
You can say “bye-bye” to baths, because 2023 is all about the shower. According to Pinterest, people have been busy looking for ways to make their showers more luxurious, typing in search terms like “amazing walk-in showers” and “home spa.”
But you don’t need to splurge on a full bathroom remodel to elevate your shower situation—a few key purchases can help to instantly upgrade your bathing space. Tiktok is currently obsessed with the Zadro Towel Heater, a must-have for ensuring your towels, pajamas, and the like are toasty warm when you step out of the shower. I’ve also seen more than a few glowing reviews for the Jolie Filtered Shower Head, which removes contaminants from your water for healthier skin and hair.
Looking for other ways to make your shower more serene? Try using a shower steamer in a soothing scent or wrapping up in a cozy waffle bathrobe when you step out.
A few months ago, all our favorite paint brands released their 2023 color predictions, and if we had to sum them up in one word, it would be “moody.” Grays and whites are officially out, and in their place, we’re going to see lots of rich, saturated hues like Wall Street from Sherwin Williams and Valspar’s Everglade Deck. These darker shades can be a bit intimidating, so you may want to dip your toe in first with a colorful accent wall or even some peel-and-stick wallpaper.
If you’re tired of boring light fixtures that make your home feel “blah” (you know, the ones that people refer to as “boob” lights) this next trend is for you. Statement lighting is going to be all the rage this year, acting as an extension of the art in your space. I love this Sunburst Ceiling Light for a living space or bedroom, and of course, there are countless chandeliers and wall fixtures in every style, from rattan pendants to quirky modern sconces.
Live in a rental? You might be surprised at how easy it is to swap out boring light fixtures for fun, fresh ones. In fact, there are a lot of ways you can customize rentals without compromising your security deposit.
Many of this year’s trends involve thinking outside the box; in fact, many people are doing away with the box all together and embracing more organic forms. We’re talking indoor archways (another trendy DIY project that’s taking over my social media), curvy couches, and freeform decorations.
Try this trend out with a curved sectional or sofa to give your room a more relaxed, homey feel. You can also embrace organic shapes with an asymmetrical mirror or handmade vase.
If you identify as a maximalist, you’ll be happy to hear that designers think Art Deco-inspired decor will be popular in 2023. This design style was popular in the ‘20s and ‘30s, and it’s easily identified by its busy patterns, glamorous aesthetic, and playful vibes. In fact, several of the other trends on this list—including saturated paint colors, arches, and statement lighting—fit right into the Art Deco aesthetic.
You can lean into the Art Deco trend with busy patterned wallpaper (bonus points if there are metallic accents involved) or geometric touches like this accent mirror.
Written by: Camryn Rabideau
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