8 Interiors Trends for 2023 from the Maison & Objet Trade Fair
Check out some of the furniture, materials and pattern trends we spotted at the iconic Paris design fair
After several years of cancelled events, Maison & Objet has found itself, and its audience, once again. From 8 to 12 September 2022, the event gathered the movers and shakers of the international interior design and lifestyle worlds at the Parc des Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte in Paris, France, and offered a great opportunity to get an early peek at the trends for the coming year.
Recycled plastic Mahaut chair, Furniture For Good.
2. Recycling
If there’s one word to remember this season, it’s ‘recycling’. Since the pandemic, more interiors brands have been talking about changing how they create their products.
We saw several examples at the fair, including the Volants coffee table from Dizy, made of recycled badminton shuttlecocks (called volants in French); the Clavex desk from Maximum, made from cast-off pieces of scaffolding; the Ocean chair from Zuiver, with seats created from ocean plastic, and this Mahaut chair (pictured) from Furniture for Good. The HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is made of electrical sheaths, and the mottled effect comes from discarded cosmetics packaging.
2. Recycling
If there’s one word to remember this season, it’s ‘recycling’. Since the pandemic, more interiors brands have been talking about changing how they create their products.
We saw several examples at the fair, including the Volants coffee table from Dizy, made of recycled badminton shuttlecocks (called volants in French); the Clavex desk from Maximum, made from cast-off pieces of scaffolding; the Ocean chair from Zuiver, with seats created from ocean plastic, and this Mahaut chair (pictured) from Furniture for Good. The HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is made of electrical sheaths, and the mottled effect comes from discarded cosmetics packaging.
Rattan light fixtures, Ay Illuminate.
3. Rattan lighting
Light fixtures in natural materials – rattan, water hyacinth, sisal, twine – were also impossible to miss at this year’s show.
We appreciate them for the natural touch they bring to our interiors, for the sculptural feel of their XXL dimensions and, most of all, for their very light openwork structure, which creates a gorgeous effect when lit, producing an almost otherworldly interplay of light and shadow.
3. Rattan lighting
Light fixtures in natural materials – rattan, water hyacinth, sisal, twine – were also impossible to miss at this year’s show.
We appreciate them for the natural touch they bring to our interiors, for the sculptural feel of their XXL dimensions and, most of all, for their very light openwork structure, which creates a gorgeous effect when lit, producing an almost otherworldly interplay of light and shadow.
Seats and cushions, Wigiwama.
4. Statement sofas
Exit the restrained designs we’ve been used to for a decade or more. The sofa, the centrepiece of the living room, is set to become something of a fashion statement.
This season, you could choose between a curved sofa in ecru bouclé or a comfortable corduroy couch. See, for example, the angular corduroy sofa from Bed and Philosophy, or the new bouclé pieces from Spanish brand Ormo’s Sofas.
4. Statement sofas
Exit the restrained designs we’ve been used to for a decade or more. The sofa, the centrepiece of the living room, is set to become something of a fashion statement.
This season, you could choose between a curved sofa in ecru bouclé or a comfortable corduroy couch. See, for example, the angular corduroy sofa from Bed and Philosophy, or the new bouclé pieces from Spanish brand Ormo’s Sofas.
Chairs and pouffes, Opjet.
5. Easy-care bouclé
Bouclé made an appearance last year and it’s still going strong. Spotted on sofas first, it’s now grabbed hold of chairs and pouffes.
This year, bouclé is going through a transformation, with virgin wool mixed with polyester or reinvented entirely in synthetic fibres for easier maintenance and greater longevity.
5. Easy-care bouclé
Bouclé made an appearance last year and it’s still going strong. Spotted on sofas first, it’s now grabbed hold of chairs and pouffes.
This year, bouclé is going through a transformation, with virgin wool mixed with polyester or reinvented entirely in synthetic fibres for easier maintenance and greater longevity.
Vases, 101 Copenhagen.
6. Totemic ceramics
It’s the perfect finishing touch: an object in totemic form, in particular one made from ceramic, which is another of the materials that took pride of place at this edition of the fair.
We noted the new stools/end tables by designer Pierre Gonalons that were exhibited in the Talents So French area of the fair, as well as the vases in matt black ceramic pictured here.
6. Totemic ceramics
It’s the perfect finishing touch: an object in totemic form, in particular one made from ceramic, which is another of the materials that took pride of place at this edition of the fair.
We noted the new stools/end tables by designer Pierre Gonalons that were exhibited in the Talents So French area of the fair, as well as the vases in matt black ceramic pictured here.
Decorative birds, Novoform.
7. Bird figurines
Bird figurines had come to rest in many of this year’s displays. We’re familiar with the iconic Eames House Bird and the L’Oiseau created by the Bouroullec brothers for Vitra, and now several brands have revived the genre, so you can get yourself an entire flock. The decor birds from Novoform (pictured) are made of raw wood, one of this year’s key materials.
7. Bird figurines
Bird figurines had come to rest in many of this year’s displays. We’re familiar with the iconic Eames House Bird and the L’Oiseau created by the Bouroullec brothers for Vitra, and now several brands have revived the genre, so you can get yourself an entire flock. The decor birds from Novoform (pictured) are made of raw wood, one of this year’s key materials.
8. Graphic rugs
We can’t finish this overview of trends without touching on the sea change in rug trends. Over the past few years, the must-have designs have come from the Atlas mountains, but 2023 seems to be tolling the final bell for the Berber-inspired rug.
The new designs will be less artisanal and more technological, with rugs in irregular, particularly organic forms. The ones we saw most often this year bring together multiple shades in large, close-fitting stripes, as for example in the one by Kare Design inspired by the 1970s.
Tell us…
Which trends have you seen emerging recently? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
We can’t finish this overview of trends without touching on the sea change in rug trends. Over the past few years, the must-have designs have come from the Atlas mountains, but 2023 seems to be tolling the final bell for the Berber-inspired rug.
The new designs will be less artisanal and more technological, with rugs in irregular, particularly organic forms. The ones we saw most often this year bring together multiple shades in large, close-fitting stripes, as for example in the one by Kare Design inspired by the 1970s.
Tell us…
Which trends have you seen emerging recently? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
1. Checks
We’ve seen curvy and rounded shapes again and again in previous seasons, but 2023 will mark the resurgence of check.
We spotted it in the form of ceramic squares on Studio Gaïa furniture; in iridescent glass on Pols Potten pieces, and criss-crossing Puebco’s baby alpaca blankets. Pictured here is a more unexpected application in wool on table lamps from Bazar Deluxe.