2023 Decor Trends To Watch
We all love to see what trends will be popular in the coming year. There is something for everyone when it comes to decor trends in 2023.
There’s literally something for everyone in 2023! One thing’s for sure if you like trends you will find something to love! Lots of the decor.
We are seeing some of the same decor trends that were just starting to find their way to popular status in 2022. Now they are peaking in 2023!
You might want to read DECOR TREND SNEAK PEEK FOR 2022 before you read what made the list for 2023. In this post, I discussed the three types of trends we can expect every year.
WHAT IS A TREND
Trends are born as a reaction to the world around us. They are creative and beautiful solutions to what is happening in our lives. These can be practical or inventive or sometimes even a bit ridiculous!
When we talk about trends we are talking about interior design styles that are hot or very very popular right now. We are not saying that other interior designs are out of style or bad or ugly because they are not! They are just not the bright, new or, popular thing on the design scene!
No matter how you feel about trends, always, always use what you love in your home! Because your home is just that… YOUR HOME!
WHAT IS A CLASSIC
Oh, I love a good classic. Classic decor is something that stood the test of good taste and time and is always in style. It transcends trendiness most of the time.
Classics often float in and out as the latest trend before they settle on their high pedestal as the best of the best decor!
I love trends but unless I know they will be classics or are classic decor that gains enough popularity to be a trend, I use trends sparingly. I’m a classic girl through and through!
Here are the top home decor trends for 2023.
NATURAL WOOD
Beautiful natural wood is making a big comeback again! It’s a classic that really never goes out of style.
What The Experts Say:
Soft natural wood is coming back in style. The colors are warm and often light. We are turning our backs on all those grays and opting for a lovely warm, honeyed color palette. The beauty of wood is always in style but it is on-trend for 2023.
My Two Cents:
I love the move toward warm toned woods. Their richness adds depth and a cozy feel to a room. This move towards natural woods probably has something to do with the trend of mixing vintage with modern items our homes.
I have a deep love for painted furnishings and these items will look so much better with a little natural wood mixed in!
One word of caution, stay away from gray tone woods and anything that looks fake. This trend is all about the real natural wood!
TRADITIONAL STYLING
This trend is still on the rise in 2023 and gaining steam!
What The Experts Say:
Traditional styling is another classic that has landed in the trend spotlight for 2023. It stems from a yearning to revisit the past. Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and what is now known as Granny Chic are all part of this big trend right now.
Think of mixing old and new. Vintage and just purchased! It’s eclectic yet curated and put together in creative and comfortable ways.
My Two Cents:
Traditional styling covers a plethora of mini decorating styles, like Art Decor, which is huge right now. As well as Mid-Century Modern. However, it is my humble opinion that MCM is on the slow boat out! It’s been far too saturated! And being seen too much for too long is the death knell of a trend!
I love the look of Traditional styling because it uses all the best practices of good interior design with lots of personal touches. Transitional Style is a mega trend is all about traditional styling!
You might want to read WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL STYLE.
Think, rolled arm sofas that are cushy but a bit slimmed down, way down. We will be seeing more patterns and colors mixed with beautiful heirlooms or vintage finds.
I think this style will have staying power!
NOSTALGIC STYLING
Nostalgic styling piggybacks so well with what I said about Traditional styling. We have a need to bring back the past because it is familiar and comfortable. When our world is so unpredictable, clinging to familiar things is comfortable and safe.
Look to the past and decorate your home with your favorites from the 1960s, 70s and 80s! These decades are having a moment (again) in 2023.
What The Experts Are Saying:
The 60s, 70s and 80s will have an influence in big ways in 2023. Think about colors like avocado and burnt orange. And fabrics like velvet and anything with a lot of texture. Bold prints also mark this trend. And marry them with the chrome and disco ball of the 80s.
My Two Cents:
I lived through the 60s, 70s and 80s and although I would love to have my long skinny legs and Farrah Fawcett hair back I would not like to revisit those retro styles!
I think avocado can be a gorgeous color to incorporate into decor but certainly not on a stove or refrigerator! I’m all for velvet sofas done in a sleek-ish style or a bathroom done in a boldly printed wallpaper.
But I will not be doing any mirrored disco ball light fixtures in the Tanglewood House. I lived through all the bad styles of these decades, and although I only have a slight recollection of the 60s I do remember the 70s and 80s well. And I am not wanting to repeat them.
However, I think we can modernize the style of the free-love decades with more of a grown up sensibility!
BLACK ACCENTS
Black is back! Has it ever not been on-trend? Every room can use a bit of this magical color.
What The Experts Say:
Black and white have been strong trends for the last year or so. Black is both a classic and a trend in 2023.
My Two Cents:
You can’t go wrong with a bit of black in your decor! Even if you like a neutral airy look. Black makes a room a bit more grown up. It all adds contrasts and that’s a beautiful thing!
Although black will be used on walls and kitchen cabinets my best advice is to use it as an accent. It’s not easy to pull off a black accent wall!
I’m adding a measured dose of black to my neutral palette this year and I’m loving it!
WALLPAPERED POWDER ROOMS
Wallpaper, no matter the pattern or texture is big again in 2023.
What The Experts Are Saying:
Wallpaper has been on-trend for a couple years now and is still very popular especially in powder rooms. This is one place you can add big, bold patterns.
My Two Cents:
I swore I would never hang wallpaper again after peeling and scraping it off a few bedrooms and bathrooms in our last home!
But never say never! We wallpapered our powder room with the prettiest wallpaper! See it above. I probably will keep the wallpaper to just this powder room, however, I have been looking for peel and stick wallpaper for the kitchen.
If you love patterns then you probably will love wallpaper too! Just stay away from those dated looking borders!
THINGS THAT STAY IN STYLE
Buying furnishings that are better quality and timeless with the thought of keeping them is making a big comeback. It is a big shift from the disposable furniture mindset over the last couple decades.
What The Experts Are Saying:
Many of us are tired of the big box store’s home furnishings that look good but might not be the best quality. We are opting for well made items that will stand the test of time and also have a price tag that reflects their craftsmanship.
My Two Cents:
I first noticed this trend because my daughter and son-in-law have been opting for more timeless and curated furnishings that are very well made and more expensive.
They are collecting and curating a look and planning on keeping their furnishings long term.
Because they live in on Capitol Hill in Washington DC they can buy amazingly gorgeous and well made furniture second hand. People move in and out of that area and often sell their beautiful furniture.
My son-in-law once drove to Brooklyn to purchase very well made, high end bunk beds for two of our grandsons.
In the image above the mirror over the Curlacue chest is something that will stay in style.
I love this shift! Especially, finding furnishings that have been lovingly cared for and are passed down from another owner!
This trend is an interior designer’s dream! Mixing amazing furniture that is sustainably responsible, and will create a one-of-a-kind look is what we should all strive for. This trend is the trifecta of decorating!
It is somewhat reminiscent of how we used to buy furniture. We bought the best we could and planned to keep it! This trend help to not add to the 12 million tons of furniture that is being thrown away each year.
I must admit I think I stand with one foot in each camp! I like beautifully made furnishings but I also like to change up my decor probably more often than most.
MORE COLOR
The trend for 2023 in interior design is more color. Warm earthy colors, moody dark tones and a big burst of color.
What The Experts Are Saying:
This year we will see a parade of color palettes that will be hot in 2023. Gray is totally out as a trending color because it has had its moment (or decade). Think warm colors like caramels and brick and warm beige! Beige is big!
Moody interiors, especially in the kitchen will be popular as this trend is continuing from the previous few years.
Black, either high gloss or soft and velvety are the hottest kitchen trend!
Also, bold bursts of color will be very popular. And doesn’t my friend Rhoda at Southern Hospitality use this trend well!
Look for a post soon about Color Trends in 2023.
My Two Cents:
I love color! But I like to live with neutrals. No matter if they are in or out, actually they are classic so they can never be out, a neutral color palette is still popular.
And is even more popular if warm beige or other warm toasty neutral colors are part of the color palette.
Other rich warm-toned colors also are very popular this year! Browns are heavenly when they are caramel, camel, or sand!
Moody colors will have another moment this year. Just be careful when you paint things like kitchens in these dark colors. They look great but in a few years they will look dated! You must really, really love a moody kitchen to make that investment.
Color in big accents or bursts are on-trend in 2023. However, I think it is more of a designer statement rather than something we will embrace in our homes.
TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE
Texture is necessary for depth, warmth and life in a room. It’s a big trend in 2023.
What The Expert Say:
Texture will be a strong trend in 2023. We should start to see texture done in new and exciting ways like lime-washed walls, brick or textured tiles and lots of wicker and baskets.
My Two Cents:
Texture moves from the rugs in our homes to the chairs and up the walls too! Mixing and layering lots of texture together will be a happy trend for 2023. I love texture, especially in our neutral home.
You might want to read: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEXTURE
CLOSED CONCEPT HOMES
What goes around come around! Homes are moving away from open concepts to more privacy within rooms.
What The Experts Say:
As a nation, we are moving away from big homes and many of us are opting for smaller, cozier, and more manageable homes. And more of a closed concept too!
My Two Cents:
Many younger generation home owners like the idea of smaller homes. And they also like the idea of not so much openness! I think smaller homes will not only be on-trend but they will be a popular option for homeowners of any age.
I do think we still love open spaces in our homes. Maybe not fully open like a warehouse, but semi-open, one room spilling into the next.
GLORIOUS GENTLE GOLD
Gold tones in metals are here to stay! They have been back on trend for a couple of years and are still strong in 2023.
What The Experts Say:
There is a big move away from brushed nickel to the warmer tones of gold. Just like the color shift from gray to warm colors, this makes sense.
The experts feel that the softer golds and brass metallics on the market today are classic!
My Two Cents:
I’ve embraced the gold trend, but it has taken me awhile. If you lived through the brass chandeliers of the 80s and 90s you have probably had a huge aversion to anything remotely in the gold family.
Gold has taken on beautiful softer tones and hues.
I like to mix metals in our decor. And that now includes gold in all its different finishes! As a matter of fact, liberally mixing different metals is another trend I am seeing.
You might like to read: 5 FABULOUS TIPS FOR MIXING METALS IN DECOR
PERFORMANCE FABRICS
Fabrics that are stain resistant to dirt and stains, and long-wearing are very popular in 2023.
What The Experts Say:
Performance fabrics are becoming much for affordable for most of us! They are comfortable to the touch, stain resistant and wear well. They come is a plethora of style and color.
My Two Cents:
I’ve opted for performance fabrics for over a decade. I can enjoy a light neutral color palette without worrying about spills and stains!
I wonder what took so long for us to see the huge benefit of performance fabrics. It probably had a lot to do with all the slipcovered furniture that was so popular a while back. Now that that trend has faded (but don’t worry neutral slipcovers are a classic) we needed a way to keep our furniture looking its best.
A word of caution, not all performance fabrics are the same! Get to know the different kinds of performance fabrics and choose the ones that work best for your lifestyle and needs.
OTHER TRENDS THAT WILL BE BIG IN 2023
Here are a few more trends to look for in 2023…
2023 seems to be a year that has something for everyone. This is a year of personality-driven decorating!
Remember trends come and go so embrace the trends you love and say bye-bye to the rest! Home decor is and has always been about creating and curating an home with your personality and lifestyle in mind!
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FAQs ABOUT 2023 DECOR TRENDS
Great post, Yvonne! I love how you’ve broken the trends down and explained them so well! I’m also a traditional gal at heart, and love seeing a return to the classics! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kim, I just love to see what the “industry” says will be popular. This year I really like the new changes to look forward to in 2023
I loved this post! Thank you for “putting your two cents” comments in alongside the 2023 trends, as well as the “why we trend” insight.
You are so welcome!
Yvonne, would you mind sharing the name and company of your powder room wallpaper? It’s very pretty.
Hi Beverly, you can see the wallpaper HERE:https://rstyle.me/+s-OuQFKmMbA4832NSex8hQ
Yvonne – great post! Thank you for all the useful information. Best to you and Bobby in 2023.
Another informative post, Yvonne. I love to know the trends in both decor and fashion but I do pick only that which fits my aesthetic.
I won’t be painting my walls a bright color, preferring neutrals. I add color in cushions, towels, decorative items, etc.
My walls are a light taupe and my upholstered pieces are in a lighter, warm taupe, beige, so black seemed too harsh. I instead opted for bronze fixtures in my living room and dining room. My curtain rods are an antiqued gold. I know bronze is out but it works better with my warm neutrals than black. I have added new, larger gold lighting to a couple of bedrooms.
I advised both my daughters when looking at dining room tables & chairs to go the secondhand route. Many of us baby boomers are down sizing and getting rid of quality built sets. My one daughter found a great MCM set that fits well with her other more modern pieces and my other found a more farmhouse looking set that works with her look. They both bought well made, quality sets for a great price,
Hi Joanna, thanks for the tip!
Well, I am happy to say that almost everything I’ve kept through the last trend cycle – gray and farmhouse (which I barely adapted to) is back on trend! I resisted the urge to paint my expensive wall unit (that I’ve now broken apart and moved to separate parts of my living room), my 4 poster bed and my kitchen cabinets! My big armed leather sofas will just have to wait it out (if they don’t fall apart first)! Although I think it’s impractical to switch out decor every time the wind blows, I’m so happy to have your blog and others to help me with the smaller, inexpensive decor trends!
That is exactly how I use trends in my home too, Carol!
Building a custom home. When picking out kitchen cabinets, I wanted a neutral but not white or brown. I picked a light gray. Yikes! Missed the boat on that. It is what it is.
If you like your cabinets then don’t worry! It’s important for us to live with what WE like.
Terrific article, Yvonne. I appreciate you sharing your very sensible take on trends. You haven’t steered us wrong in all these years!
I painted my sun-damaged oak kitchen cabinets in a nice gray color eleven years ago. They’ve held up remarkably well and eleven years of being “in style” was a pretty good run. I can’t decide what color to paint them next though, since stripping them and going back to the oak doesn’t appeal to me. If any of your commenters want to weigh in, with ideas, please feel free! My home is traditional with some treasured mahogany and cherry pieces I’m glad I didn’t get rid of.
Great post! Loved your twist on the trends. So many ideas for me to keep in mind as we move forward to finding that “right sized” home.
You are so right, June!
Thanks, Yvonne, for giving us the 2023 design trends. I really enjoyed your take on each trend! Some of these trends are a surprise. Have a great week!
Thank you Mary Ann. I love trends too.
Where did you get the blue and cream rug??
Hi Jamie, I found it on rugs.com. Sorry, it is no longer in stock.
Thanks for the insight Yvonne! What should we keep an eye on for 2024? How can we get ahead of the upcoming trends?
I have a post coming soon about Decorating trends for 2024.