What Are the Interiors Trends for 2023?
From nostalgic interiors to warm colour palettes and nature-inspired designs, see our interiors predictions for 2023
Nostalgia, biomimicry and temperature-regulating design are all buzzwords for 2023. Want to find out more? Take a look at our roundup of trend predictions for the year ahead and see how climate change, the post-Covid landscape and even mushrooms are all influencing our design choices.
2. Circular economy design
The need to respect resources and reduce waste and pollution can be seen in the rising importance of circular economy design. Put simply, this is where the whole lifecycle of an item is considered at the outset, including how it will be reused or recycled at the end of its life.
Extending the life of a product by reupholstering or repairing it can also be considered part of this process. This trend can be seen in the growing interest in pop-up repair cafés and events, where old or broken interiors items can be taken to be restored and their lifespan extended. Searches for the word ‘Sustainable’ have also increased on Houzz by 106%.
Find the team you need for your renovation in the Houzz Professionals Directory and read reviews from previous clients.
The need to respect resources and reduce waste and pollution can be seen in the rising importance of circular economy design. Put simply, this is where the whole lifecycle of an item is considered at the outset, including how it will be reused or recycled at the end of its life.
Extending the life of a product by reupholstering or repairing it can also be considered part of this process. This trend can be seen in the growing interest in pop-up repair cafés and events, where old or broken interiors items can be taken to be restored and their lifespan extended. Searches for the word ‘Sustainable’ have also increased on Houzz by 106%.
Find the team you need for your renovation in the Houzz Professionals Directory and read reviews from previous clients.
3. Japanese-inspired style
Japanese design influences have quietly been making their way into the mainstream for a while now and, in the coming year, we’re likely to see this trend emerging in a much stronger way. Searches on Houzz for ‘Wabi-sabi’ (finding beauty in the imperfect) are up 179% and the hybrid Japanese/Scandi design trend, ‘Japandi’, has also seen an increase in searches of 71%.
Characterised by clean lines, muted colours and natural materials, Japanese style is restful and understated and puts an emphasis on organisation and storage. Interest in Japanese-style bathrooms is also rising, with searches for ‘Japanese soaking tub’ and ‘Japanese bedroom’ increasing by 58% and 85% respectively.
Another element of this style is the internal courtyard, which brings daylight and greenery into the very heart of the home and taps into the growing need for our abodes to be more closely connected to nature.
Japanese design influences have quietly been making their way into the mainstream for a while now and, in the coming year, we’re likely to see this trend emerging in a much stronger way. Searches on Houzz for ‘Wabi-sabi’ (finding beauty in the imperfect) are up 179% and the hybrid Japanese/Scandi design trend, ‘Japandi’, has also seen an increase in searches of 71%.
Characterised by clean lines, muted colours and natural materials, Japanese style is restful and understated and puts an emphasis on organisation and storage. Interest in Japanese-style bathrooms is also rising, with searches for ‘Japanese soaking tub’ and ‘Japanese bedroom’ increasing by 58% and 85% respectively.
Another element of this style is the internal courtyard, which brings daylight and greenery into the very heart of the home and taps into the growing need for our abodes to be more closely connected to nature.
4. Biodynamic lighting
Interiors have increasingly been inspired by nature in recent years and this is a trend that keeps evolving and developing. The latest iteration is biodynamic lighting, which is set to become more mainstream in 2023.
Biodynamic lighting means artificial light that follows the body’s circadian rhythms by replicating daylight as much as possible. Following natural light patterns is reported to improve sleep and boost overall health, and designers are increasingly taking this into account when planning lighting schemes.
Interiors have increasingly been inspired by nature in recent years and this is a trend that keeps evolving and developing. The latest iteration is biodynamic lighting, which is set to become more mainstream in 2023.
Biodynamic lighting means artificial light that follows the body’s circadian rhythms by replicating daylight as much as possible. Following natural light patterns is reported to improve sleep and boost overall health, and designers are increasingly taking this into account when planning lighting schemes.
5. Warm colours
At the beginning of 2022, designers on Houzz predicted a move away from cooler tones to a warmer palette. Now we’re seeing those shades of terracotta, pink and mustard creeping into room schemes, with searches for ‘Dusky pink’ up 81%, ‘Brown’ up 25% and ‘Mustard’ up 24%.
These colours are warm and relaxing and, along with the trend for nostalgia, could also be a result of homeowners looking for rooms that offer comfort and reassurance.
At the beginning of 2022, designers on Houzz predicted a move away from cooler tones to a warmer palette. Now we’re seeing those shades of terracotta, pink and mustard creeping into room schemes, with searches for ‘Dusky pink’ up 81%, ‘Brown’ up 25% and ‘Mustard’ up 24%.
These colours are warm and relaxing and, along with the trend for nostalgia, could also be a result of homeowners looking for rooms that offer comfort and reassurance.
6. Temperature-regulating design
As this past summer has shown, we’re now in a climate crisis, and home design is having to evolve and adapt as a result. With greater extremes in environmental temperature comes a need to rethink the way we regulate the temperature in our homes.
In the past year, we saw an uptick in searches for ‘External shutters’ on Houzz, with heat-reducing window treatments set to play a much bigger role in keeping homes cool in the summer months. Effective insulation will also become a more pressing concern to help keep homes warm and reduce energy costs in winter, with searches for ‘External insulation’ rising significantly.
As this past summer has shown, we’re now in a climate crisis, and home design is having to evolve and adapt as a result. With greater extremes in environmental temperature comes a need to rethink the way we regulate the temperature in our homes.
In the past year, we saw an uptick in searches for ‘External shutters’ on Houzz, with heat-reducing window treatments set to play a much bigger role in keeping homes cool in the summer months. Effective insulation will also become a more pressing concern to help keep homes warm and reduce energy costs in winter, with searches for ‘External insulation’ rising significantly.
7. Biomimicry
Another example of nature-inspired design likely to gain traction as a design practice next year is biomimicry. This involves designs emulating the ingenuity of models, systems and elements found in the natural world.
There were several examples of this at the 2022 London Design Festival, from a tower block designed to mimic the oscillating movement of coral to a house inspired by veiled lady mushrooms.
In this kitchen extension, the guttering system on the green roof was inspired by a waterfall. “The extension …features a central gutter, which allows rain to drain like a waterfall and to percolate into the ground,” architect Yaniv Peer explains.
Another example of nature-inspired design likely to gain traction as a design practice next year is biomimicry. This involves designs emulating the ingenuity of models, systems and elements found in the natural world.
There were several examples of this at the 2022 London Design Festival, from a tower block designed to mimic the oscillating movement of coral to a house inspired by veiled lady mushrooms.
In this kitchen extension, the guttering system on the green roof was inspired by a waterfall. “The extension …features a central gutter, which allows rain to drain like a waterfall and to percolate into the ground,” architect Yaniv Peer explains.
8. Interesting wallcoverings
Wallcoverings are set to play a big part in 2023, with murals, bold papers and interesting textures all emerging as growing trends.
On Houzz, we’ve seen a rise in the use of bold papers, oversized designs and textured finishes, with searches for ‘Modern wall panelling’ increasing by 116% and ‘Decorative wall panels’ by 132%.
At Decorex in October, we also spotted 3D wallcoverings, geometric patterned panelling and cork wallpaper, among other products.
Wallcoverings are set to play a big part in 2023, with murals, bold papers and interesting textures all emerging as growing trends.
On Houzz, we’ve seen a rise in the use of bold papers, oversized designs and textured finishes, with searches for ‘Modern wall panelling’ increasing by 116% and ‘Decorative wall panels’ by 132%.
At Decorex in October, we also spotted 3D wallcoverings, geometric patterned panelling and cork wallpaper, among other products.
9. Mushroom tones and textures
The soft tones and velvety textures of the humble mushroom are set to have a surprising influence on interiors in 2023.
As a paint colour, mushroom tones are gentle and soothing, and can be used as a contemporary neutral. When taken over into soft furnishings, mushroom-like textures, such as soft velvets and suedes, in tones of warm brown and taupe can bring a relaxed and understated feel to a room.
This new focus on touch was apparent in several new product launches at this year’s London Design Festival, with many surfaces having a tactile quality.
The soft tones and velvety textures of the humble mushroom are set to have a surprising influence on interiors in 2023.
As a paint colour, mushroom tones are gentle and soothing, and can be used as a contemporary neutral. When taken over into soft furnishings, mushroom-like textures, such as soft velvets and suedes, in tones of warm brown and taupe can bring a relaxed and understated feel to a room.
This new focus on touch was apparent in several new product launches at this year’s London Design Festival, with many surfaces having a tactile quality.
10. Playful design
On Houzz, we’ve seen an increase in the use of playful colour combinations, as well as the introduction of personal and quirky touches, such as wall murals.
Moving away from the safety of neutrals, designers are having fun with colour and texture and are often being creative when it comes to designing spaces for clients. Searches on Houzz for ‘Colourful living room’, ‘Colourful bedroom’ and ‘Colourful bathroom’ are all up – 197%, 192% and 42% respectively – and the search term ‘Painted ceiling’ saw an increase of 112%.
As well as bold colour combinations, designers are also bringing elements of playfulness, such as home bars and activity spaces, to their room schemes.
Data quoted in this article reflects year-over-year growth in searches on Houzz UK from January to September 2022 versus January to September 2021.
Tell us…
Which of these trends appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
On Houzz, we’ve seen an increase in the use of playful colour combinations, as well as the introduction of personal and quirky touches, such as wall murals.
Moving away from the safety of neutrals, designers are having fun with colour and texture and are often being creative when it comes to designing spaces for clients. Searches on Houzz for ‘Colourful living room’, ‘Colourful bedroom’ and ‘Colourful bathroom’ are all up – 197%, 192% and 42% respectively – and the search term ‘Painted ceiling’ saw an increase of 112%.
As well as bold colour combinations, designers are also bringing elements of playfulness, such as home bars and activity spaces, to their room schemes.
Data quoted in this article reflects year-over-year growth in searches on Houzz UK from January to September 2022 versus January to September 2021.
Tell us…
Which of these trends appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
After an unsettling couple of years, homeowners are looking for reassurance in the form of nostalgic design choices. From the resurgence of farmhouse style to the recent interest in cottagecore, homeowners are looking to the familiarity and comfort of the past and bringing elements of this into their modern living spaces.
Farmhouse style is a look that’s characterised by the use of warm wood, rich colours and carefully chosen vintage pieces along with heirloom textiles, such as patchwork blankets, tapestries and antique rugs. On Houzz, we’ve seen an uptick in searches for this type of interior, with ‘Farmhouse bathroom’ searches up 216%, ‘Farmhouse kitchen’ searches up 54% and ‘Modern farmhouse’ up 135%.
More: 16 Farmhouse Kitchens That Feel Cosy and Inviting