Interior design trends of 2023

From colours to curvy light fittings and organic shapes – we look at what’s in and what’s so last year

Green is the new grey

Emerald, jade, sage or pistachio – shades of green are creeping into our living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Many people may welcome green as a refreshing alternative to the dreary, grey tide that has swept the nation’s walls over the last couple of years.  “Green is the new grey,” says interior designer Martin Waller, founder and creative director of interiors brand Andrew Martin. 

Austerity grey chic is over. Instead consider pale, muted shades of green to bring a soothing and serene feel to a bedroom, for example. Alternatively, use zingy lime or pistachio for a bright pop of colour in a kitchen or living room – perhaps a feature wall,  painted cabinets or accent trim. 

Dark green paint, whether its emerald green or forest hues, can add drama to a space. Use cream curtains and cushions to break up a bold green wall colour and to soften the look. One of the great things about green is that it goes with most other colours.  Earthy tones, especially browns and pinks, are also fashionable this year, according to Vogue.

Plants as a design feature
Plants as a design feature

Green plants

Indoor plant sales are booming. Big or small, healthy green plants add a sense of vitality, freshness and energy to a space. Greening your home mirrors the rising interest in wellness and sustainability. The leafy beauties help to clean the air, ease anxiety and help make your home look gorgeous.  What’s more indoor plants offer an opportunity to connect with nature and nurture something.

Smaller plants like succulents or ferns can happily sit on a coffee table or countertop or brighten a dark corner. For an instant jungle hit, choose a tall plant with large, glossy leaves like Wild Banana or a rubber plant. A group of large container pots can look stunning placed closed together with their varying leaf shape and colours.  In an open plan interior, large pots can be a green space divider.

Online plant store Patch makes it easy to find the best plants for your interior. Filters include light, height and care level, including “almost unkillable” houseplants that are “low maintenance enough to forgive you for the odd missed watering.”

Let there be (arty) light

Multiple clusters of globed shaped lights will be massive in 2023, says the Lighting Company. Using lighting to make a statement has been a growing trend over recent years and is expected to continue this year.  Think cascading blobby pendants, sputnik style pendants and oversize glass chandeliers in a neutral modern space. Bigger is better when it comes to floor and ceiling lamps. 

For the year ahead, interior designers are also getting excited by artists and artisans who work by hand with natural materials, such as ceramic, glass or wood. Check out the Skandi-style ‘Skipper’ pendant by Tom Raffied, with its signature curves, made from undulating loops of sustainable oak, ash or walnut. His arty lamps are like works of art displayed in your home.

Interior designers are seeing a resurgence in lighting made from paper, fabric or silk that cast a soft ambient glow. You can buy a simple hanging paper sphere for under a tenner from Wayfair. Or, if you have the budget, invest in a classic fibre silk globe lampshade from ‘Lighting Lovers’ or an elliptical ‘Drongo’ linen lamp.

Sustainable materials

Sustainability is a trend here to stay, and it’s becoming increasingly important in interior design. People are becoming more aware of their impact on the planet. From woven rattans to recycled glass and bamboo, the focus is on using eco-friendly raw materials, renewable or upcycled products rather than plastic. Cork is a favourite of some interior designers as a natural and renewable material harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree which continues to grow and produce more bark. Cork is 100% biodegradable, durable and insulating. Plus, when left exposed it adds warmth and tactility to a space. Cork floor tiles, for instance, are extremely comfortable underfoot. Cork can also work well for wall tiles and cabinetry.

Bringing nature in

Whether it’s a Welsh slate floor, oak beams or exposed brick wall -  chunky, natural textures are making a big come back as a decorative element for interiors. Compared to minimalist functionalism of the past, the new style incorporates more natural elements like wood, stones, plants and sustainable materials in a warmer and more welcoming aesthetic. David Pearson has been championing the benefits of strengthening connections to nature, now often described as bibliographic design, since writing ‘The Natural House Book’ in 1989. “Traditional materials – clay, lime, chalk and stone still abound and timber (especially softwoods) can be replenished by proper forestation.” Wood is a material that never goes out of fashion. The natural wealth of texture and tactility of wood are part of its beauty.

Is maximalism and cottagecore so last year?

Among the biggest trends of the past two years were maximalism and ‘cottagecore’ which embraced a cosy, romantic vibe over stark minimalism with its focus on practicality and function. Experts predict 2023 will see a hybrid between the ‘more is more’, chaos of colours, objects and textures of maximalism with the clean lines and simple shapes of minimalist décor. A new term has been coined “maximal minimalism.” Essentially, it’s a chance to put some personality back into rather sterile, cold interiors. For instance, bursts of bold colour on a feature wall or a bright jewel-like, velvet sofa. Just make sure the room is relatively uncluttered and with a mostly neutral colour palette to create a contrast.

You can get the gallery look by showcasing your artwork against the blank canvas of white walls.  Textured and three-dimensional tiles that give surfaces a handcrafted feel will be on the rise in 2023 from shower stalls to fireplaces and backsplashes, experts predict.

Curved and organic shapes, more focus on natural elements like wood, stone and plants, sustainable materials, gorgeous greens, maximal minimalism – these are among the predicted trends in 2023. But the best interior design is the one that suits you, the one in which you are relaxed and comfortable, where you feel at home.

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