2023 Design Trends
Welcome to the New Year! I’m excited for 2023 and all the change I am expecting it to bring - but also feel a bit in limbo as I await for some decisions outside of my control to be made. For now, I am going to focus on my family, friends, and business. I love looking at what the predictions are for new design trends but I always wonder if all these predictions just create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Do they become new trends because everyone says they will be or would they have become a big trend regardless? I guess it’s a bit of the chicken and the egg argument. Either way, here are three of my favorite predicted design trends for the coming year:
1) Sculptural Furniture
To be fair, this is a trend that started a few years ago, but I feel like I’m just starting to see it make its way into mainstream spaces. This is taking a furniture piece and almost turning it into a work of art in its own right - think tables with unexpected bases, or chairs where you can see the framing. I would be careful not to overdo it - you don’t need every piece to be a statement (because if everything is a statement, is anything a statement?) but swapping one or two pieces for something a little fun and unexpected is a great way to spice up a space. And, since they almost double as art pieces - it will always be cool and a talking point, even years down the line.
These are some favorites I’ve been eyeing.
2) Bold, moody wall colors
I am so, so happy to see that color is coming back! After literally decades of gray, white and tan neutrals being the norm, color is coming back in a big way. Rooms are being painted in bold, moody hues and bright, saturated tones. We have been told for so long that dark colors make a space feel smaller - but that isn’t always the case. When you paint a room a dark color (particularly if you include the ceiling) the edges start to blend together and recede - which can actually make your space feel bigger. The key is to have enough lighting in the space that it’s not cave like. Another key is to make sure you don’t overcrowd the space with furniture and “stuff” - while that will make any space feel cramped, I find it is magnified with darker paints. Here are some great examples of moody wall colors that work.
Photo Credits: Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3
3) Modern Traditional
This is a style that has been emerging over the past few years - it is characterized by traditional pieces, think antiques, vintage, ornate accents (like that arch and flourish mirror everyone is obsessed with) combined with more contemporary pieces, such as the sculptural armchairs or a sleek sofa. It is a style that is gaining in popularity because when done correctly it is timeless but doesn’t feel like your grandmother’s house. This is where I identify my personal style as, so it makes sense that I am all for it. Here are some great examples for you to check out! Can you see the mix of traditional and modern?
What are your thoughts on these design trends? Will you be trying any out?
