The Interior Forecast – Interiors Trends for 2023

2023 is set to be an exciting year for me. I’ve handed in my notice for my corporate day job and I’ve decided to align my career with my passion for house and home, retraining as a professional interior designer. With that in mind, I thought it was high time I got back to the blog and started to put my money where my mouth is! Here’s my predictions for what’s going be hitting the interiors trends for 2023. I’ll check back next December to see how I did!

Grey be gone

I’m kicking off with this. Grey interiors have finally had their day. Whilst neutrals won’t be going anywhere in 2023, the shift is definitely toward a warmer palette of stones and sands and general earthiness.

As we develop our ‘new neutrals’, I expect to see more dark, earthy reds and making their way into our homes too. I’m thinking terracotta living rooms, yellow ochre in the kitchen and deep olive greens pretty much everywhere. Green is here to stay. On that note…

Grown up colour

As we become more willing to experiment with colour, the heritage palettes are springing up all over the shop.

Farrow & Ball have released their much anticipated new additions, with ten new, typical muted, shades winging their way onto the colour card. I am particularly fond of Wine Dark, which is a F&B joke, since it’s actually a dark blue with a dash of charcoal (F&B like to confuse people with colour names, don’t they). Skirting boards, doors and ceilings will be going darker in 2023 and this is the perfect shade to dabble in.

And we also welcome the new kids on the block, including V&Co – Valspar’s offering of grown up colours. The beauty of this collection is that the whole palette works together and you can get experimental with your colour choices. In addition, Dulux’s Heritage Collection is a relatively new launch and Crown Period Collection has been around a while.

Personally I was surprised with the colour of the year reveals in 2022 and I don’t see brights taking over in 2023. I know, I know, the 80s are coming back, but I’m here for the grown up colour. I think Barbiecore is a passing trend. Or maybe that’s my personal preferences taking over 😉 because….

Pattern clash

Wallpaper is really making a comeback with designers popping up everywhere as chintzes, modern twists on florals and ‘granny chic’ generally makes it’s comback. And let’s not forget my forever faves House of Hackney and quintessentially British Morris & Co.

Maximalism is getting a reputation makeover and its one of my top interiors trends for 2023. No longer bling bling tat for hoarders, the considered clash of pattern for the modern maximalist is about carefully teaming treasures that go… but don’t. Understanding your colour palette will help here.

If you want to start dabbling in pattern, but you’re not quite reading for wallpaper yet, try adding cushions, blankets, quilts. You can frame fabric and paper samples for a little hint of pattern, or why not experiment papering the inside of cupboards?

Softer Window Dressings

Blinds and shutters have been all the rage for ages now but as we see a shift toward softer, cosier interiors, I think curtains will be back.

There will be traditional curtains with a luxurious twist (I’m thinking Sanderson Design Group), soft voiles for the lovers of Japandi and linen for rustic scandi interiors. Blinds2Go do a lovely range of Morris & Co fabrics for blinds and curtains.

All Things Marble

One to my key interiors trends for 2023 is…. marble! Marble is back in all its forms. Coffee tables. Pepper pots. Backsplashes. Even DIY marbling techniques.

Statement bathrooms with top to toe marble tiles, made to measure marble coffee tables and little trinkets from trays to toothbrush holders will be featuring in our 2023 interiors.

Going for Gold

Gold is going nowhere in 2023 and I think we will see much more of it as that curve hits its peak! Whether you fancy trying your hand at a bit of DIY gold, then gilding is all the rage. Start small adding a spot of gold to candlesticks or coasters. Or, if you are feeling bold, why not gild the stairs or ceiling?! If you’re not too sure about DIYing it, then bring in the professionals. Check out Daniel Bland for inspiration.

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Gold will weave its way into our interior in other ways too. From taps to tableware, we are steadily embracing gold as the norm rather than a slightly out there fancy. No more stainless steel (and I can’t say I’m sad to see the back of that).

Look up

White ceiling? Not in 2023! Whether you go for simply colouring your ceiling with paint or try something a little bolder with wallpaper or stencilling, white ceilings are out.

You know how we have accepted that the bit of wall below the dado rail is ok to paint a bolder colour? In 2023, the ceiling is catching up with the bit below the dado rail.

Au Naturelle

I’m talking about that interiors buzzword ‘biophilia’. Biophilic design is about using natural elements in your scheme. A considered approach to create flow and calmness in your interior space, by bringing in the natural world. That might be in the materials we use such as wool, leather, linen and marble. Or softening edges with less definite brush strokes, lime washing and natural finishes. Bringing plants into the your decor scheme, avoiding harsh or manmade materials like chrome and plastic.

Organic shapes will continue to be popular, as will any reused material such as recycled glass, which has a lovely mottled finished. The Japandi aesthetic feeds in to biophilic design, with emphasis on neutrals and natural materials.

Although there’s a slight movement towards the geometric design of the 80s, I don’t think this will catch on as much as we are lead to believe, because it would be a backward step. People don’t want to showcase throwaway materials in their homes anymore and the 80s and 90s was all about ‘disposable’ this that and the other. This isn’t come back. And nor should it – some things are better left in the past and frankly, the plastic waste of my childhood is one of those things.

Buy once, buy well

So on that ever so slightly sanctimonious note is my last prediction, to buy once and buy well. I think we are moving away from fast interiors (hurray!) and it’s becoming fashionable again to save up for a forever piece, or, better still invest in some restored vintage furniture. I do use this opportunity to make a plea: not all furniture can be ‘upcycled’. Painting pristine condition, vintage furniture is most definitely downcycling.

Facebook Marketplace can be a real treasure trove and Vinterior is my personal favourite for bagging a piece of forever furniture to be proud of.

So there’s it for my interiors trends for 2023 round-up: what would you add to the list?