2023 Decor Trends To Look Out For In The New Year (2023)

“2023 will solidify the end of gray and the rebirth of warm color palettes…start thinking of warm whites, soothing taupes, and rich, earthy tones,” says interior designer Rachel Cannon. “These are the colors we’ve been working with lately as a palate cleanser to the sterile, white and driftwood rooms that have filled our social media feeds to the point of exhaustion. Layers of richly textured fabrics, finishes with luster and cozy vibes will prevail.”

“Nothing says beauty and sophistication like a deep, vibrant color next to simple, clean crown molding and trim to make a statement,” says interior designer Bridgett Pridgen regarding the coming years’ color trend towards elegant jewel tones like eggplant, deep greens and blues and warm, deep orange tones. Pridgen also recommends pairing your jewel tones with “mixed metals, warm wood tones, moody lighting and lots of beautiful millwork to complete the look.”

Pridgen also noted the trend towards “light and moody” spaces that contrast the bright and soft elements of minimalism such as white and soft green tones with some of the deeper tones on the rise like deep greens, slate gray and black. This combination “gives you all the feel of warmth, and sexiness, without the space feeling like a cave,” explains Pridgen.

“The brightness attracts light and lifts spirits while the darker tones evoke mystery and sophistication. This can also be paired with medium-tone woods for a warm inviting feel.”

“Since the pandemic lockdowns, colors that bring a sense of nature and the outdoors have risen in popularity for home decor,” says Teri Simone of Nieu Cabinet Doors. “Fall tones such as soft greens contrasted against warm orchard-fruit and sunset-inspired colors bring a comforting atmosphere.”

In particular Simone notes a trend towards muted green cabinetry paired with complimentary warm tones in natural materials like wood, wicker and soft-veined marble. Brass hardware is also coming back around to play off these neutral hues.

According to Ricky Gonzalez, Senior Creative Director at American Signature, Inc, jewel tones and contrast patterns are back, particularly in upholstery. “Deep greens that are almost black and dusty yellows, pinks, reds are showing up as choices for sofas and accent chairs,” Gonzalez says.

“A lot of the newer prints for wallpaper, window treatments, rugs and upholstery [also] have contrast backgrounds with brighter prints that add a pop of accent color to the space.”

As it’s bound to happen every so often, the color pink is trending upwards for 2023, according to interior designer Mrinal Suri of HBA San Francisco. “The color pink undergoes its own renaissance every few years, from Millennial pink to Barbiecore pink,” says Suri. “In spaces that call for calm, such as the bedroom or an office, we’ll see more of soft pinks, which have a soothing quality while lending color and energy.”

“Creating a serene environment in your home will be on the forefront of a lot of people’s minds in 2023,” says Lisa Cooper, Head of Product at Thomas Sanderson. “A low maintenance home is vital to provide nothing but serenity and give you that much needed time to destress,” explains Cooper, emphasizing neutral colors and rustic tones as a common visual marker for this trend.

“This decor style will be prominent during the month of January as people will harmonize in resetting their home for the year and focus on wellbeing.”

Interior designer Kristina Phillips sees custom and high-quality furniture making a comeback in 2023. “During Covid, there was a need to quickly furnish spaces with readily available, often low quality goods,” says Phillips. “Now that the dust has somewhat settled, the priority has moved to investing in pieces that endure—and have been designed to specifically fit the space.”

“Manufactured, formal and urban sleek are out as people prefer more relaxed and casual- even rustic surfaces,” says architect Andrew Franz. “It’s a ‘back to nature’ trend we are seeing in so many renovation projects.” Franz says clients are looking for warmth in their spaces, either through natural materials, an abundance of textures, or handcrafted surfaces such as stucco. The main takeaways: curves and texture are back.

The name has been dubbed off-putting by some, but the aesthetic itself is one of interior designer Karen Wolf’s favorite up and coming trends. “It’s not your grandma’s style, it’s not shabby chic. It’s a fresh take which is young and modern with a nod to nostalgia,” explains Wolf.

“The best way for people to work this trend into their homes is by reinvented library florals, the new sage and terracotta palette, organic modern materials and performance fabrics.” In describing this on-the-rise style, Wolf includes family heirloom pieces, modern color palettes and patterns and an emphasis on coziness and approachability.

Art deco is back and ready to amp up your spaces. “For 2023, the take on art deco is more modern: less linear and literal and more about evoking the overall richness of the period to make it work for how people live today,” says Sabra Ballon of ballonSTUDIO about this resurging 1970’s style. The period emphasized deep jewel tones, lush fabrics, contrasting materials and whimsical, often curved, elements.

Designer Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs noted several trends when attending the Furniture Market in High Point, NC this year and is sharing one of her most anticipated trends: boho chic design. Hope describes boho chic as a style that is all about personality, layering pieces you’ve acquired while traveling, unique art pieces and any other items that mean something to you.

“It’s sustainable design since pieces are often family heirlooms or from resale shops and tag sales,” says O’Brien. “Layer these items as accessories or small furnishings in your room for a cool, collected look that reflects you.”

Kathy Kuo of Kuo Home says mixed material pieces “will be go-to items for designing spaces that feel inspired by the natural world, as well as feeling on-trend and sophisticated.” Kuo notes that dining chairs, sideboards and beds made of a mixture of wood and cane seem to be particularly popular.

HGTV star Noel Gatts of beam&bloom also recommends mixing textures and fabrics. “You can accomplish this by adding Boucle armchairs to your space, adding in unexpected pieces with leather fringing- like lighting or art, and throwing in exposed wood or metal framing for good measure,” says Gatts. “The visual tension between all these various materials adds a ton of character to any room.”

On top of the mixed material trend, Sabra Ballon of ballonSTUDIO notes a change in furniture forms on the horizon. “I predict a lot of chunky wood furniture, curved shapes, and solid stone pieces to make an appearance in homes next year,” says Ballon. These heftier forms also play into the art deco and boho aesthetics that are becoming more popular and will pair well with soft earth tones and bold jewel tones alike.

Interior designer Nadia Watts notes that layers will be a key design element in 2023. “People want to engage two of their senses: touch and sight,” Watts elaborates. She sees this manifesting through “the use of complex textures and a multitude of materials in any room to add visual interest while giving it dimension.” Watts notes textures like grasscloth, wool, velvet, mohair and bur wood as excellent choices for adding visual and physical warmth to your space.

What’s old is new again, or at least trending. “Antiques are gaining popularity as a trend in no small part because they are readily available and often well-priced,” says designer Pamela O’Brien. Not only are these items often lead-time free, they can also mix with a variety of styles from O’Brien’s upcoming fave boho chic to the more timeless transitional aesthetic.

Many newer pieces are also introducing details that speak to vintage designs, making it easier than ever to intersperse a mix of antique and new elements in your space.

In a post-pandemic world, people are also being more thoughtful with their spaces. While multi-functional spaces like dual office space/guest rooms aren’t likely to go away anytime soon, Amber Shay of Meritage Homes sees a different spatial impact on the rise.

“Many people may have picked up new hobbies during the pandemic that they now require extra space for,” Shay explains. “We’ve seen many homeowners set aside specific rooms in their homes to serve their specific hobbies or at-home activities, like craft rooms, space for gym equipment and even designated areas for the kids to do homework.”

“As people have spent more time at home in the last two years, the kitchen has received a new focus as a multifaceted space for spending quality time,” says Teri Simone of Nieu Cabinet Doors. “The minimalist and industrial trends that dominated the last decade have faded since 2020.”

Simone recommends looking to “luxe materials such as boldly veined marble or quartz, rich, knotty woods, printed wallpaper and artisanal tiles, combined with bold metallic hardware and decor, such as plants, art, textiles and statement lighting” when revamping your space. While open shelving isn’t going away, Simone also noted glass-fronted cabinets have made a comeback, making it easier to show off your heritage china and glassware without all the dust.

When people hear “slow living,” they likely picture an idyllic cottage or robust garden, but Lisa Cooper of Thomas Sanderson sees smart tech as the slow-living future. “Smart technology allows you to live slower so you can relax and have less worry for the things you need to get done,” explains Cooper. “Be prepared to introduce your home to a new smarter way of living with smart blinds…It’s an easier way of living and a more sustainable way of enjoying technology.”

“With the rise of minimalism came a desire to strip away all the space’s personality in favor of a clean, blank slate,” says realtor Rina Patel, co-founder of We Buy Philly Homes. “In 2023 people are going to start embracing the original features of their homes again. This could mean anything from exposed brick walls to refinishing original hardwood floors.” Embracing original characteristics of your space is also an excellent sustainable choice that aesthetically plays up the trend toward nostalgia.