It’s a brand-spanking new year! The start of a new year means we get to talk to you about what trends are sticking around and which ones to kick to the curb in 2023. And that’s definitely got us super excited!
When it comes to interior design trends, there’s sort of two kinds you need to be aware of. There are short-term decorating trends that are a bit like fast fashion. They are typically around for a year or two and will date your home fast if you don’t keep up.
You don’t want to necessarily ignore short-term design trends. They help make your space feel current vs. a little out of date. Adopt these decorating trends in things like paint colours and accessories.
Then there are long-term trends that are here to stay for a while. How long is a while? I’d say about 10 to 15 years on average is a good run for a decorating trend.
Longevity of a Hot Trend
If you want to maintain the value of your home, then you will need to keep up with trends. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep up with every decorating trend. What it does mean is that you need to update your home every now and then to keep your home looking current.
For example, back in the early 2000s, Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring was crazy popular. It was a hot trend. It also held up for a little while. Although in 2023, if you want your home to look up-to-date, you’ll need to do something about that floor!
Compare that with the grey flooring colour trend that started a few years ago. This design trend is already outdated. This was a short-term trend.
It’s not alays easy to know when something is a short term decorating trend and not a long term trend. It’s even harder to predict when something will go out of style.
The best approach to home decorating is to choose something you absolutely love right now and know that in about 15-20 years, you’ll need to embrace change again if you want to keep up.
Design Trends That Are Here to Stay
Keeping our focus on long-term design trends, when we look at the past few years, there are some clear trends that are here to stay. These are the kinds of design trends we want to pay attention to.
1. Bring Nature In
This trend is what’s known as biophilic design. In this design trend, we bring elements of nature into the home.
This means using natural materials such as wood, stone, and plants and incorporating elements of nature such as water, light, and greenery into the design. And this also means creating spaces that promote a connection to the natural world.
The goal of biophilic design is to create spaces that are more calming, enjoyable, and healthy for you.
Last year, we talked about this trend in two ways – earthy colour palettes and bringing the outdoors in. This is clearly a long term design trend.
Here’s how you can adopt this design trend in your home.
- Incorporate plants into the design, either through living walls, potted plants, or green roofs
- Use natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo in the design of your home
- Introduce elements of nature such as water features, and big windows to bring in natural light and views of the outdoors
- Create spaces that encourage you to be active and engage with nature, such as outdoor patios or rooftop gardens
Biophilic design has been shown to have numerous benefits, including improved mental health, increased productivity, and enhanced well-being.
2. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Material
In the last few years, there has been a growing trend toward using sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials in home building and design.
This trend is driven by a desire to reduce the environmental impact of building and decorating homes, as well as a growing awareness of the health benefits of using natural, non-toxic materials.
Many materials that are frequently used in home design like vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, MDF, particle boards, synthetic carpets, lead-based paints, etc. are not particularly environmentally friendly.
For example, Formaldehyde is a chemical that is often used as a binder in composite wood products, such as particleboard, MDF, and laminate flooring. It can off-gas over time and has been linked to health problems such as allergies, asthma, and cancer. Yikes, right?
Yep, I think it all sounds really depressing too. But here’s the good news, there are a lot of new advancements happening in this space to make materials eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy for all of us. That’s great news, right?
So what are some of these eco-friendly materials that you might be able to use in your next home project?
For example, Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that can be used for flooring, furniture, and other home decor items. It is also relatively water-resistant and durable.
Cork is another renewable resource that is commonly used for flooring and wall tiles. It is resistant to moisture, insect infestations, and mold, and has natural insulation properties.
Linen and hemp are natural, sustainable materials that can be used for upholstery, curtains, and other home decor items. They are durable, long-lasting, and have natural insulating properties.
Here’s how you can adopt this design trend in your home.
- Choose natural materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, cork, and linen for your home renovation and decorating projects. All of these are environmentally friendly options that can be used in a variety of design applications.
- Use recycled or reclaimed materials when you can. They can add character and history to a space, and help to reduce waste and conserve resources. Reclaimed wood, for example, can be used for flooring, furniture, and other decorative elements.
- Look for products with eco-friendly certifications. There are a number of organizations that certify products as being environmentally friendly, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood products and the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute for a variety of products. Look for these certifications when shopping for materials.
- Consider the life cycle of products. When choosing materials, consider not only the environmental impact of their production but also their disposal. For example, a material that is biodegradable or can be recycled at the end of its life is a more environmentally friendly option than one that is not.
- Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products. Many conventional paints, finishes, and adhesives release VOCs into the air, which can be harmful to both the environment and human health. Look for low-VOC or VOC-free options to reduce the environmental impact of your design.
Using sustainable, eco-friendly materials in your next project can help reduce the environmental impact and also create a healthier indoor environment for you and your loved ones.
3. Multi-functional Furniture
This is also one of those design trends we’ve been talking about for a couple of years. Actually, we talked about multi-functional spaces in our last year’s trend report.
However, we think these two things are related. For a multi-functional space to be functional, you need multi-functional furniture!
Some of our favourite examples of multi-functional furniture are things like sofa beds and murphy beds. But one of our go-to design tricks for open-concept spaces is to find ways to introduce stylish storage in the furniture. So, think of tables with storage like coffee tables and end tables with drawers.
Here’s how you can adopt this design trend in your home.
- Look for a bookcase with a built-in desk. A bookcase with a built-in desk can provide a place to store books and other items, as well as a workspace for tasks such as paying bills or working on the computer.
- Opt for a wall-mounted shelf system. A wall-mounted shelf system can provide a place to display decorative items and store items such as books and DVDs, without taking up floor space.
- Choose a console table with hidden storage. A console table with hidden storage, such as drawers or shelves, can provide a surface for displaying decorative items and a place to store items such as coasters and remote controls.
Some Not-So-Long-Term Design Trends
While these next two design trends are not exactly trends that will last a looong time, they have been around for a few years already and will continue on for a few more.
If you want your space to look up-to-date, these are the trends to adopt. But they are also the kind of trends that you shouldn’t make big investments in. Think low investment on things like accessories, artwork, throw pillows, wall paint, etc.
4. Bold Colours and Patterns.
We’ve talked about the trend towards bold and vibrant colours and patterns in the trends in the last two years. It looks like this trend is here to stay for a little bit longer.
This trend can work with a variety of design styles, from traditional to modern, and can be achieved through the use of colorful accents such as throw pillows, artwork, and area rugs, or through the use of bold, patterned wallpaper or upholstery.
Here’s how you can adopt this design trend in your home.
- Use color to create a cohesive look. Choose a color palette that includes a few bold, vibrant colors and use them throughout the space to create a cohesive look.
- Mix and match patterns. Mix and match different patterns, such as florals, stripes, and geometrics, to create a bold, eclectic look. Just be sure to balance the patterns and use coordinating colors to ensure that the overall look is cohesive.
- Use bold colors and patterns as accents. If you’re a little scared to commit to a bold color or pattern on a large scale, consider using them as accents through colorful accessories such as throw pillows, artwork, or an area rug.
By using bold colors and patterns in your home design, you can create a vibrant, visually interesting space that reflects your personal style.
5. Maximalism
We won’t lie! This is one of our favourite trends. While minimalism has been a popular trend in recent years, there has also been a trend towards maximalism, which embraces a more eclectic, layered look with an abundance of colors, patterns, and textures.
What we are talking about as a trend is a layered look that feels curated, not cluttered. It’s an opportunity to create a more personal, eclectic look for your home. A home that is as unique as you!
Here’s how you can adopt this design trend in your home.
- Okay, we are going to repeat this one – Mix and match patterns!! Mix and match different patterns, such as florals, stripes, and geometrics, to create a bold, eclectic look. Just be sure to balance the patterns and use coordinating colors to ensure that the overall look is cohesive.
- Layer textures. Incorporate a variety of textures, such as plush fabrics, rough-hewn woods, and metallic accents, to create a rich, layered look.
- Use color to add visual interest. Choose a vibrant color palette and use it throughout the space to add visual interest and personality to the design.
To pull off a maximalist look, embrace colour, pattern and different interior design styles to create an eclectic, layered feel for your home.
And there you go. This post was longer than expected but we wanted to give you all the ins and outs of the interior design and decorating trends we are predicting for this year.
