Over the past few months, I have been following projected trends in interior design for the upcoming year. I have even had the opportunity to implement a few of them in some of my projects. Below, I have listed my favorite concepts expected to become more prevalent in 2023. I believe there is inherent value in each of them and that they have staying power for more than just the next twelve months.

Health as a top focus – A record number of articles were written this year about unhealthy levels of chemicals (such as PFAs) being found in common household products as well as how unhealthy gas stoves are (in some cases, even when they’re off). Consumers are becoming more and more aware that there is very little regulation of what goes into home products and they want to be sure that the products they purchase don’t bring unwanted health risks. While there is still a long way to go in this area (especially full transparency in labeling), you can start with acquainting yourself with the best certifications currently out there. For textiles: GOTS, Oeko-Tex, and Greenguard are trustworthy certifications designed to minimize your exposure to the most harmful chemicals, For carpets, look for Greenguard, CRI Green Label, and Cradle to Cradle. For more information on material health, visit sixclasses.org.

Countertops with veining and texture – There was a solid period of time when every new build or kitchen remodel featured white counters with little to no veining or texture. In 2022, we started to see an increase in sales of surfaces (quartz, marble, granite) with bold and defined veining. This trend will pick up even more speed in 2023 for two reasons. One, and the one I mention to my clients the most often, is that while white countertops are indeed beautiful, they are not very forgiving. Crumbs and spills have nowhere to hide on all-white, and if you like to cook a lot (or just have a busy household), you may find yourself wiping down the surfaces more often than you care to, just to maintain the look. Two, the trend in overall home design in the past decade has been to decrease color and texture on almost every surfaces – pale oak floors, white walls, white cabinetry, neutrals all around. However, this had the unintended consequence of often making whole spaces feel bland. Choosing a countertop with veining or texture can go a long way in adding back some spark to a space while simultaneously making it easy to live with.

Integration of vintage, used and heirloom pieces – The prolonged disruption to the supply chain has had an unexpected positive impact: an increase in uniqueness and creativity in design through repurposing and reinventing what’s already on hand. The market for these items is hotter than ever, with companies such as Charish continuing to do very well, and newcomers such as Oliver.space, Aptdeco.com, and Kaiyo.com bringing in even more options. This is also a win for the environment through decreased use of new raw materials and less items sent to the landfill.

Continued focus on natural materials - Greater conscientiousness about what things are made of is driving a shift in consumer spending as shoppers want to be sure that improving their home’s style doesn’t decrease the health of the planet or the workers who made the products. Natural and easily renewable materials such as rattan, wicker, and grasses continue to increase in market share. Other ways to know that you’re purchasing from an environmentally responsible manufacturer or vendor are to look for companies that have the B Corp certification and for the following labels: Greenguard, Cradle to Cradle (C2C), wood items that meet FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards, and Fair Trade.

Coffee and beverage stations outside the kitchen – Now that we’ve had a few years to reconfigure our homes to accommodate for things like working, exercising, and simply staying in more, designers are increasingly being called on to include coffee machines and built-in beverage stations in spaces outside the kitchen. Spaces such as home offices, bonus rooms, and even owner suite bathrooms.

Painted and papered ceilings – This trend started gaining popularity over the past few years, and we can expect it to continue in 2023. Ceilings are now fair game for being painted a color besides white, being wallpapered or even having a custom fabric application. It’s especially popular in bedrooms and dining rooms.

As you set goals for 2023, if some of yours include updates to your home, you may wish to consider integrating some of these ideas. Let me know how it goes! Drop me a line at christina@interiorharmony.design.