Interior design trends come and go, but if you’re currently in the process of designing your home, buying a new one, or just doing a quick space refresh, you’re probably doing a deep dive into what the next big interior design trends are. After all, while you want to avoid the interior design trends going away, you shouldn’t let trends solely dictate your interior design decisions. “A well-designed home tells your story; not the story of the giant retailer who’s ultimately more interested in your wallet than your walls,” says Shay Holland, interior designer, and star of HGTV’s Unfinished Business. “The most memorable spaces—while they may be informed by trends—boldly convey a person’s unique style and that’s hard for any one trend to capture.”
Still, if you’re planning to sell your home in the coming year or need some direction for your latest design project, trends are important to consider. Here are fourteen trends interior designers are forecasting will be here to stay for 2023.
Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans have become somewhat controversial in the past year. While many designers have declared open floor plans over, Holland doesn’t think this trend is truly going away any time soon. “Open spaces allow us to do life together. And while modern home/work living often demands privacy, most of us don’t want to be isolated in a room all day.”
Furthermore, developers want their properties to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible, so they are still building open floor plan homes. Ultimately, it’s just a more practical choice. This is particularly true of open kitchens for families with younger children. There are also easy ways to create privacy within open floor plans.
“Open floor plans that work smarter and can be easily divided into zones as needed, and for new construction, this will mean layouts that already incorporate flexible rooms that can be turned into offices or gyms. For some people, open concept works simply by installing sliding doors or including chairs that swivel so they can face the sofa for a hearty conversation or turn toward the television for movie night,” explains Holland.
Along the same lines, interior designer Jennifer Hunter of Jennifer Hunter Design also agrees that multi-purpose spaces are here to stay. “Multipurpose spaces will be a trend to keep in 2023. For example, I always include a game table in all of my living rooms because I want clients to be able to truly use that space for a multitude of reasons.”
Sustainability
From electric cars to organic food and OEKO-TEX fabrics, we’ve all become more concerned about the environmental impact of our purchases. Overall, people are turning away from fast furniture and opting for used and vintage pieces instead. Audrey Scheck of Hayley Scheck Design predicts that sustainability will only continue to be a priority among consumers and designers. It can also be more convenient. “Given how long lead times are in the current climate, incorporating vintage is an easy way to mitigate the headaches caused by supply chain and manufacturing holdups,” she says.
Minimalism
Love it or hate it, minimalism is here to say. “Like neutrals, forecasts about the death of minimalism are greatly exaggerated. Sparse minimalism, [such as in] Kim Kardashian’s home, has never been fully mainstream, but a desire to simplify and live with items that spark joy remains a collective aspiration,” says Holland.
However, Chelsea Marks, founder of online furniture boutique Paynes Gray sees this trend evolving toward more of a Japandi style, “It’s the updated minimalist style that is taking over. Think minimalist but warm, inviting, smooth natural texture—a little more personality than the usual minimalist or Scandinavian style.”
Neutrals
Neutrals have had a strong presence in recent years. It’s easy to understand why. Neutral colors are easy to incorporate into most design schemes, whether they’re modern, contemporary, traditional or somewhere in between. “Every year we hear neutrals are going away and every year they come back stronger than ever. Neutrals will reign supreme so long as there are white sand beaches and midnight black skies,” says Holland. “Like elements in nature, neutral spaces are designed to remind us of what matters most by stripping away the extraneous visual noise. Neutrals speak to our core with an invitation to rest and reset.”
However, she sees tastes gravitating toward different neutral shades. “In 2023, expect colors we don’t normally consider neutrals to join this stage—desaturated blues and greens, tones of desert sand, sun-washed terra cotta. With paint color names like Sherwin Williams Foothills, Behr’s Blank Canvas, and Benjamin Moore’s Tofino Sunset, 2023’s ‘spicier’ neutrals will continue to deliver spaces that remain easy on the eye but injected with (muted) colors.”
Marks also sees neutral tastes changing. “Gray had a great decade but it’s been gone and is staying gone. It’s all about a warm beige or light taupe tan. That goes for paint, carpet, upholstery, carpentry, warm natural wood flooring, etc. Then we’re adding in our pops of color like usual in decor.”
Unpredictable Accessories
Bid farewell to Live Laugh Love signs because Scheck declares unpredictable accessories will reign in 2023. “In the coming year, we expect to see a rise in more interesting and sentimental accessories. While things like coffee table books will remain staples, we predict that we’ll be seeing more meaningful pieces integrated into design plans. Examples of this include family heirlooms or vintage pieces that are one-of-a-kind. To achieve this look, try visiting your local antique or thrift shop to see what unique home decor and furniture pieces you can find.”
Not sure where to shop? She recommends scouring Etsy, Chairish, and Facebook Marketplace.
Organic Materials and Earth Tones
Nature has a calming effect, which is important in our chaotic world today. So, organic materials and earth tones are unlikely to look dated any time soon. Scheck says we should expect to see lots of wood and colors inspired by nature, including mossy greens and peaceful blues. “One of our favorite ways to incorporate natural elements is by sourcing live-edge tables made from beautiful, raw woods.”
Another way to achieve this look is with the addition of greenery. “This can be as simple as walking outside and snipping branches or stems from your surroundings. Layer them into vessels around your home among earth-toned vessels, textiles, and art inspired by nature.”
Boho Styles
Take the macramé off the wall and push those floor cushions into the closet. While Boho has been big for years now, Holland predicts a less stereotypical, parred-back version of this trend for the future. “In the past, this style has been heavily influenced by retailers like Urban Outfitters Home and YouTube influencers where there’s a younger audience, but now it’s growing up. We’ll see more curated Boho spaces that still celebrate hand craftsmanship and artistry but with a less hippie vibe.”
Patterns And Bold Colors
“We are loving deep, moody tones and their ability to make spaces feel so intentional. Try painting a room all in the same color (including the ceiling and trim) or adding wallpaper with the same color as other textiles in the room,” says Scheck.
She also recommends selecting black furniture or decor to mix among lighter-toned pieces in the room. “You could also choose patterned furniture (stripes, floral, plaid, etc.) or mix patterns through accessories such as pillows and throw blankets.”
Traditional Design
“I have seen a rise in more traditional design aspects especially coastal Grandma which I believe will continue into 2023,” says Gray Walker, of Gray Walker Interiors and an Ambassador of The New York Design Center’s What’s New, What’s Next.
There are several aspects of traditional design that experts predict will only become more mainstream, including intricate millwork. “From fluted to reeded to scallops, we’ll be seeing this on cabinetry, walls, and unexpected places throughout the home,” says Nicole Salceda of Eye For Pretty.
Sarah Stacey of Sarah Stacey Interiors sees a rise in detailing such as scalloping. “This can be on pillows, skirts on chairs and sofas, drapery, or made of wood. Scalloped trim adds a little bit of cuteness and levels up any design element.”
Stacey also predicts that the English cottage trend will continue into 2023. “Overall British design aesthetics have become very popular in the last few years.”
Thrifted Finds
“Coastal grandmother, modern farmhouse, and new traditional styles have brought back the nostalgia of thrift store shopping,” says Marks. There’s no better way to find authentic traditional items than at thrift stores. “It’s about mixing old and new—finding that little brass trinket or perfectly worn-in basket that blends perfectly with the new items in your home. It’s about finding more meaningful pieces to mix in with your usual home finds.”
Boucle But Make It Colorful
In 2020, Boucle started to become popular in higher concept designs. By 2022, boucle sofas and chairs were available at most national retailers. “Boucle is getting more interesting. Every single company is offering something in white currently but I’m starting to see it evolve into less-expected neutrals and muted colors. These palettes are a great starting point for unexpected color palettes,” says Amy Pigliacampo of Amy Pigliacampo Interiors.
Checkerboard Patterns
Checkerboard patterns have had a major comeback in recent years. “It started as super high contrast but is softening into a more tone-on-tone look that enables this motif to be more versatile and less trendy…more abstract takes on this idea including wild variation in scale are showing up in rugs, textiles, and accessories in fresh hues,” says Pigliacampo.
Dark Academia
The all-white look was popular for a long time and tastes are finally starting to change with a return to the dark academia aesthetic. “I’m loving how this idea can play into many different styles from modern to traditional. A warm, dark studious place in a home evokes a deep peace and calm in everyone,” says Pigliacampo. “Possibly it goes deep into our psyche of being safe in our cave, or possibly the influence the Harry Potter series has had on us as kids (or parents of kids experiencing it for the first time). Either way, a dark contrasting room is a great place for solitude, reflection, and study.”