Design trends are continuously changing over the years and that is something that will never change. Design will always grow, change, and develop as we have new experiences, events, technology, etc. I also have had a love-hate relationship with the idea of following what is considered "trendy." Sometimes, too much weight is used when clients try and focus their choices to what is popular at the time, even if it is not necessarily what they need or want. I always follow the trends and incorporate the ones that truly excite me, because they can be innovative and fun! However, I also try not to focus the design on what the trends are at the time. They are always evolving, so incorporating them when you can is wonderful but at the end of the day, the importance really is what is the best design solution and how to implement it.
That being said, one of the reasons I am writing this post is because many of my favorite trends of 2023 are aimed at being more inclusive with different styles, colors, materials, and more. The trends are leaning in a way that invites more individuality, usefulness, sustainability, and excitement. Therefore, my love-hate relationship is changing to that of a love-love relationship. 2023 is filled with styles that incorporate individualism, creativity, and comfort. This year is a year filled with warm tones, natural materials, whimsy, and more! The design trends are evolving for the needs of society and I am in love with them.
First, let's talk about color. 2023 is all about bringing color into play! The all white and grey is becoming a thing of the past, as we start to invite vibrant colors into our homes. That is not to say that white and greys are going away entirely. We are seeing an overall trend to bring in a feeling of warmth into our homes. We can thank the COVID pandemic for this change, as we feel the need to create a less "sterile" environment in homes. For over a year, many of us were stuck in our homes, which caused many to rethink how they wanted their home to feel. The fear of the pandemic is something that will be with us for awhile, and had a very influential role in our lives. To combat this, the trend towards a warm, inviting space that you want to spend a lot of time in has become much more common. We spent so much time at home, that we realized we wanted to feel like it was truly home.
Whites, greys and other neutrals will always be used in our homes. However, we are now including warm, earth tones to bring life in! Corals, russets, browns, beiges, mauves, etc. are all making their way in to our homes. For those who are not quite ready to take that leap, we see pale blues and greens included as a way to transition into a more colorful space. Color is not something that we are shying away from. Instead, we are inviting it in to our homes and welcoming it wholeheartedly. We need to bring some life and happiness to our homes as we combat the fear and bleakness that took over during the pandemic.
Our homes are being used in a way to promote our individuality. Homeowners are adding their own flair to show their personal style and make their space truly feel as if it is theirs. As a designer, this is something I focus on and love. Individual expression is having a large role in the trend towards quality and master craftsman design. This year, we are focusing on the importance of quality and the art of the craftsman. Handmade pieces are valued for their artistry and the skill of the artisan. We are celebrating the craft and heart that goes into these pieces and showcasing them in design.
There are two benefits to this: one is by finding value in this artform, it remains relevant and does not get lost in our technology driven era. Craftsmanship has come and gone over the years, but by renewing the interest in it, this artform continues to grow. In addition, it leads us as consumers to more sustainable design. As value is given to the craft of the past, vintage pieces and refurbished/repurposed pieces are becoming more popular. There is now value and love for these pieces and by continuing to use them in design, we are creating a healthier world. Mixing the design styles of the past with current styles gives a wonderful diversity to a space and gives it visual interest. We want to incorporate pieces with meaning and versatility, truly bringing in our own styles.
As we have a return to our master crafts, we also are having a return to nature. We are using nature to inspire our design choices and I am in love with it. We are bringing more natural materials into our homes and celebrating the beauty in nature. More and more, designs are including natural wood tones/even unfinished wood tones, stone, woven materials, etc. We are truly finding the wonder in nature and using it to our advantage. These materials bring us a sense of warmth and welcome and ground us in our homes. The sterile-feeling environment of the past has shifted gears towards a healthy, harmonious environment with nature.
More and more, we are seeing natural woods incorporated into cabinets and floors, grass cloth wallpaper, woven baskets and natural stones. These are being mixed with different metal tones, to create a design that showcases both our modern advancements and our natural roots. We have begun adding character and making our homes more authentic. The design trends of 2023 are truly bringing into focus how important it is for us to give ourselves an environment that we feel good in. Our environments directly correlate with how we grow and feel. The importance of incorporating natural elements and materials in our homes is beneficial to our well-being as a whole.
I have mentioned this at least once already but because I love this trend so much, I will mention it again. Wallpaper! The return to incorporating wallpaper into our homes has been a really fun and creative way to bring in our own style. This is one way we are bringing in bold patterns and colors to our homes. Wallpaper has come and gone, but what is truly inspiring to see is the traditional nod to the patterns and colors that are becoming popular, but giving it a more modern twist with the bright, bold colors and patterns. Many of these styles are being used with vibrant paints to create a true pop of individualism.
We are using wallpaper to mix our traditional roots with the modern world we are living in. It is also a further way to bring in natural elements through the material itself or the pattern that is showcased. For me personally, I have always loved wallpaper so for it to be popular again is thrilling. The designs that are being created with it are inspiring and I am so excited to see how this trend continues to grow and develop. I am already in love with how many designers are mixing a bold wallpaper with a vibrant paneled wall and a whimsical accent piece on the wall, so I cannot wait to see how this trend continues to be included.
The last design trend I want to showcase is the trend towards outdoor living. This trend has been in development, especially since the pandemic turned our world around. The pandemic is when we had to start getting creative in our outdoor spaces and how would use them. Today, they are now an extension of our homes. Living does not stop at the door; we have truly turned our focus to including the outdoors as part of where we live. This means that we have begun creating spaces that are functional for multiple uses and are comfortable places for us to relax and entertain. Our outdoor spaces have become synonymous with our indoor gathering spaces.
We have extended our time spent in these spaces as well, by incorporating heaters, fire tables, kitchens, chandeliers, fans, etc. The focus on design in these spaces has been to provide a useful space for as long as possible (climate permitting) and to bring the quality of life we indoors, to our outside spaces. Quality pieces are being included and seen just as important, if not more so, than our indoor items. In our search for comfort outdoors, quality has followed as we need these spaces to also survive different weather events. We want these spaces to be as beautiful as the inside of our homes and fulfill our needs just as well. As a society, we have learned the importance of having these spaces for our use and as another area to showcase our personal style to share with family and friends. We want to feel happy, whole and welcome in all areas of our home, inside and out!
These trends are just some of my favorites. I love the return to individuality and the nod to tradition that has evolved with the current design trends. The designs of 2023 brings us vibrancy, life, comfort, quality, and overall, a sense of well-being. I am excited to see what the rest of 2023 brings with it and how we continue to utilize these trends.
Thanks for reading! Do not forget to check in next week for our newest post!
Colleen Arlet
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