Extroverted colour and pattern, glamour, a new confidence in decorating – welcome to 2023!

The year ahead promises to be a bright and fun one in home design. Freed at last from the restraint and caution of the last few years, we’re finding a renewed sense of home as a form of self-expression. Whether you envision your home as an oasis filled with wabi-sabi objets and hand-loomed fabrics or a spirit-lifting fiesta of colour and pattern, this is your year!

OVERALL STYLE

Photography, Caffe latte

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01 The year 2023 marks the return of maximalism – wildly patterned wallpaper, tons of layers, and rich, saturated colour. Everything’s over the top: luxe softness and comfort in fabrics and furnishings; overstuffed rooms with lots of accessories; piles of rugs.

 

Photography, Mobilia
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02 For those who aren’t quite ready for a kaleidoscope of colour, the polar opposite is this year’s other big trend: rooms that are a comforting respite from the outside world, filled with cozy fabrics and textures, furnishings in soft shapes, and pale, washed-out colours.

 

Photography, Caffe latte
“From small Gothic accent pieces to black and white furniture, what we love about the Gothic Glam trend is you can go subtle or as all in as you want. It’s relatively easy to integrate key elements of the trend into your existing home decor style.” – Melanie Hachey, Structube

03 A theatrical touch emerges in Gothic Glam, with bold, dramatic colour statements, Victorian or Gothic elements (whether one or two pieces, or floor to ceiling and wall to wall), strong black and white contrasts, dark jewel tones, and layers of texture and pattern. One variation is Dark Academia, characterized by dark or even black walls, old books in tall bookcases, ornate mirrors, and framed insects or botanicals.

04 More than we’ve seen for some years, there’s a new emphasis on personalizing our spaces so they reflect who we are. Mementoes, artwork, crafts and treasured objects mark our rooms as our own.

“I’m so happy to see we are moving away from clinical white kitchens and bathrooms to textured wallpapers, interesting handmade tiles, and colour! Wrapping a space in colour really gives you that cocoon-like feeling.” – Arren Williams, columnist, Style at Home

KITCHENS 

 

Photography, Caffe latte
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05 A new confidence marks kitchen design for 2023: we know what we want our kitchens to look like, and we’re no longer fretting about resale or “being safe.” We’re flexing our creative muscles in colour and tile choices; especially at the higher end, rich finishes and sumptuous jewel tones predominate.

06 Luxe (or luxe seeming) materials are more in reach than ever before: instead of expensive natural stone countertops, porcelain facsimiles are highly realistic and much more durable than the real thing, and a fraction of the cost.

07 Bright, minimalistic looks like Scandi or Nordic style warm up the classic white kitchen with pale woods (sometimes in slatted, reeded or pole-wrapped textures), light wood flooring, travertine counters, and richly toned iridescent or glossy tile backsplashes.

08 Black accents add a crisp focal point: matte black faucets, black stainless-steel appliances, black hardware. For a softer look, consider off-black or charcoal in a matte or satin finish.

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BATHROOMS

09 Graphic, stark black-and-white tilework gives way to more subtle combinations of colours and patterns; you’ll see geometrics in earthy colourways and tone-on-tone tilework.

10 Look for a celebration of natural, organic materials like limestone, cement and marble, especially in light warm tones like beige and cream, and pale, fine-grained woods, such as pine, ash and maple.

11 We’re moving away from sterile white to softer creams and more muted shades from the warmer end of the spectrum, although ocean-like colours, such as blue and green, are also on the ascent.

 

Photography, delta
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12 There’s an emphasis on not just soothing the senses but also catering to them: faucet handles with tactile knurled or etched surfaces; fixtures that sparkle and gleam; high-gloss or iridescent tiles; and, conversely, tiles with textured or raw-edged surfaces.

“Faucets are a very experiential product; you use them every day, so they should appeal to your senses.” – Maris Borris, Delta Faucet

“With today’s new porcelain countertops, you can replicate all kinds of looks with greater durability and at lower cost – from cement and marble to even some metals like dark steel or even a beautiful rust finish.” – Kristina Panzera, Ciot

 

Photography, ciot
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“With today’s new porcelain countertops, you can replicate all kinds of looks with greater durability and at lower cost – from cement and marble to even some metals like dark steel or even a beautiful rust finish.” – Kristina Panzera, Ciot

TILE & SURFACES

13 Floor tiles are getting bigger, ranging from 24-by-48 inches all the way up to 48-by-48 inches.

14 Grout is becoming a greater element in the design of a tiled surface, whether in a coordinating or matching colour or by contrasting the tile for a strong geometric design.

15 Finishes are either high gloss or the opposite, with an unpolished or unglazed tile, such as terracotta.

16 Look for boldly patterned tile, with images such as palm leaves or flowers; strong, clear colour is equally popular, especially in gloss finishes, for a high-spirited, artsy look.

17 Delicately patterned vein-cut travertine is well suited to an oasis-style bath. Terrazzo, with both matching and contrasting chip/cement combos (in natural terrazzo or in porcelain), adds texture and colour.

“The retro trend  is very present in the world of fashion and design, in general –  influences from  the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Basically,  the idea is the same: nostalgia equals comfort.” – Sophie Ohayon, Mobilia

 

Photography, Homesense
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“The retro trend  is very present in the world of fashion and design, in general –  influences from  the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Basically,  the idea is the same: nostalgia equals comfort.” – Sophie Ohayon, Mobilia

 

FURNISHINGS

18 Look for a nod to favourite design eras of the past, such as Art Deco, with its bright colours, geometrics and symmetrical furniture arrangements; or to the more recent past, especially the ’70s and ’80s.

 

Photography, Mobilia
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19 If it curves, it’s in. Curves are everywhere: armchairs and sofas with rounded shoulders, arms and backs, often exaggerated or overstuffed; rounded tables; round-topped mirrors; and curvy decor pieces. All those curves are wrapped in fabrics with a luxe, touchable feel, from bouclé and other nubby wool finishes to linen, chenille, velvet, silk, suede and faux fur.

 

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“In accessories, we’re seeing statement marbles in nontraditional variations; the resurgence of coloured glass in everything from decorative bowls to vases to serveware; and classic pieces in warm wood tones.” – Sheila Magro, Winners, HomeSense & Marshalls

 

Photography, Rug society

 

RUGS

20 Beautiful, statement-making rugs are now available at every price point. A rug in a strong pattern or colour can be a focal point, or it can have a softer, more natural look that blends in – either way, the day of the boring, no-colour grey rug is over.

21 For a maximalist statement, multiple rugs can be layered one on the other (or put a rug over broadloom to define a focal area). Alternatively, floors can be left bare for a cleaner look, such as in a dining room.

22 A rug can accentuate the mood of the overall room decor: a softly patterned deep-pile rug for a quiet bedroom, for instance; or a bright, boldly patterned rug in an exuberant, maximally decorated room.

 

Photography, Smallable
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Photography, ssense

 

ACCESSORIES

23 Handmade is a very strong category in all kinds of accessories; the most interesting pieces have a sense of a story behind them. Pieces that are artisanal, one of a kind, or wabi-sabi (where an item is charmingly not quite perfect) add interest.

24 Vintage or reused items – including old linens, upcycled or refurbished objects, and retro pieces from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – hark back to childhood or highlight family history.

25 In more oasis-style rooms, opt for natural materials and textures: unbleached linen, wool, unfinished wood, jute, seagrass, stone.

26 For a maximalist setting, add glamour with decorative accents in luscious jewel tones; coloured glass bowls, vases and servingware; and luxe fabrics like satin and faux fur.

 

Photography, Ikea
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“Decorating statements are big. Think: wallpaper, quirky sculpture, luxurious fabrics, carved wood and colourful glasses. I’m especially loving tone-on-tone decorating, where the walls are painted muddy blue-green, for instance, and the sofa is upholstered in a deeper turquoise.” – Samantha Pynn, columnist, Style at Home

INTERNATIONAL TRENDS

We spotted these trends in the 2023 previews of the European trade shows Maison et Objets and Milan Furniture Fair. They’ll send ripples across the pond!

27 Big and curvy: plush cushions, curvy chairs, circular tabletops.

28 Maximalism. The polar opposite of minimalism. The maxim: Don’t be afraid!

29 A tendency toward more disciplined symmetry in furniture placement, likely to counterbalance the big statements that maximalism makes. Get inspiration from Art Deco designers.

30 Strong colour in lighting, furnishings, wallcoverings, rugs and accessories. In other words: everywhere.

31 Monochrome decorating: one colour in a variety of shades, textures, shapes.

32 Strong pattern on strong pattern for a happy, vibrant mix.

33 Woods are matte and porous, celebrating irregularities and knots rather than covering or correcting them, especially in light woods like pine, maple, beech and ash.

Photography, Ikea
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“It’s great to see how vintage and secondhand pieces are on the rise in interior design – it’s an excellent way to add personality to your decor and a great alternative to ‘fast fashion’ and just throwing things away.” – Arren Williams, columnist, Style at Home

 

ETHICAL CONSUMPTION

34 In the past few years, there’s been a growing consciousness of the importance of knowing something about where and how the products we buy were made. Sometimes, it’s easy to trace the origins of a piece – the small artisans who sell on Etsy are an example – but many manufacturers are now becoming more forthcoming about their processes, and are ensuring their suppliers produce goods ethically, pay their workers a fair price and that they work in safe, clean facilities.

35 Particularly in products like rugs, ask about the origins of the item. A newly made, hand-knotted, pure wool rug is a big investment. If the price is very low for the quality, be suspicious.

36 Also, there’s an increasing awareness that “fast design” (cheap furniture that doesn’t last or is made with materials that are harmful to the environment), like fast fashion, has a cost beyond its price tag. Alternatives like vintage pieces, upscaling or refurbishing old furnishings, or investing in pieces that last is a growing trend in all categories.