If you're approaching this story with a critical eye, you'll understand. Trends should always be taken with a grain of salt. In this fast-paced world, it's common for trends to boom and then fizzle out just as quickly as they came. That's why the hottest trends, especially home. If you bought a shirt at the peak of a fashion trend, but it quickly became noticeably lame, you may choose not to wear it anymore. At home, it's not so easy.
Still, not all trend cycles expand and contract at the speed of light. Some remain preserved for decades, while others become new classics. After all, everything has to start somewhere.
Josh Welch.Designed by Jennifer Welch Design
That's why when we start seeing a new trend gaining popularity in the country, no matter how much we like it at that moment, we look for a second opinion (or even a third or fourth opinion). Top interior designers in the South can help you sort through the debris and find trends that are likely to last a long time.
So far in 2023, there have been a huge number of strong candidates. While designers are excited about some new trends, they are completely negative about others and are still hesitant to embrace them. For example, some designers give up on decor trends like maximalism, synthetic countertops, and lots of wicker. However, there are a few things that designers think are here to stay.
These are the 2023 interior trends that interior designers consider diamonds in the rough.
bold colors
Photography by Dustin Peck; Design by Ann Pearson Design
I've said it once and I'll say it again. All white and gray is a thing of the past. Instead, designers recommend bright pops of color.
“For a long time, we used a lot of beige, white, and gray,” says Anne Hammett, a designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We now have clients who used to want something very neutral, and now those clients are saying they realized they really liked color and wanted to do color. ”
But as we've said, times are always changing, and so are trends, so add a striking pop of color in easily interchangeable ways like rugs, pillows, window treatments, and inexpensive products. Welch says it might be wise to embrace it. art.
“When we're talking about the bones of a house, I always try to think of it like a marathon. And if you want to do something that's on trend, you can also do a sprint.” says Oklahoma City-based designer Jennifer Welch. “If there's a really popular color, incorporate it not as an original artwork or lamp, but as a cushion or art print that can be easily replaced. That way, the bones of your home will last for 10 years or more.” It will be done.”
That's why Welch recommends being careful about which colors you choose. For example, the color of the year may not be a timeless hue, but blue and green are safer choices. Red might also be a good choice, Hammett says.
“Red has had a terrible reputation since the '90s,” she says. “But I think red will make a comeback.”
natural materials and wood
sarah mccarty interiors
Rather than painting the wood, it's finally time to let that natural wood shine, although it's not limited to particularly light tones. Northern Virginia-based designer Sarah McCarty sees this trend slowly taking hold in kitchens.
“Wood color is making a comeback,” McCarty says. “We might see less white kitchens and more wood-grain kitchens. We'll have some dark woods as well as light woods.”
Welch has also seen Wood's popularity rise, evidenced by her lackluster reputation. She says the boundaries of what a floor “contains” are expanding to include a wider range of wood tones and even mix them.
“Wood floors are definitely getting brighter, but it's nice to see different shades of wood as well,” says Welch. “A beautiful walnut or a beautiful ebony will look great against a soft, light-colored natural wood floor. And I think mixing wood finishes is really balanced. When it's done right, it can add a lot to a space. It adds so much warmth.”
wallpaper
Photo by Dustin Peck.Designed by Anne Pearson Design
Hallelujah—wallpaper is here to stay! Patterned and textured wallpapers are having a heyday in 2022, and designers are confident they'll remain popular in 2023 and beyond.
“Wallpaper can instantly tell a story, and it's one of the game-changers for a room,” Hammett exclaims. “So I don't think the wallpaper is going to go away. The wallpaper is sticking.”
She predicts that Chinoiserie patterns will be particularly popular as wallpaper this year, and has observed many brands producing Chinoiserie patterns recently. We all know how much Southerners love Chinoiserie trinkets and memorabilia, so it's safe to say this is one of the timeless motifs we display on our walls.
However, not all wallpapers are used the same way. Welch says one use he sees that is likely to become trendy is applying patterned wallpaper to the ceiling. Although it's a creative idea, she laments that the wallpapered ceiling throws off the balance of the room.
living finish
Photo by Dustin Peck.Designed by Anne Pearson Design
When it comes to hardware, lacquered brass is the word on everyone's lips for 2023, but don't consider other vibrant finishes this year.
“I definitely think unlacquered brass will last a while,” Hammett says. “People talk about vibrant finishes, like unlacquered brass or polished nickel, because they give a patina to something that's not so pure and perfect, instantly giving it some kind of… Because you can give it personality.”
If you decide to embrace the brass trend, these designers warn to be sure to stick to the unlacquered variety. Mr Welch says there is “very poor quality brass” on the market that has a higher shine and requires less care than live brass, which develops a patina, but can have the unfortunate side effect of making your home look dated. I complain about my sexuality.
mixed metal
Josh Welch.Designed by Jennifer Welch Design
Gone are the days when you had to choose one type of metal and make it a consistent theme throughout your home. Mixing metals is now not only tolerated, it's encouraged, and McCarty said he's seeing it more and more among his customers. But Welch warns that mixing metals will only look good if done the right way.
“If a client wants to mix metals, which is necessary to create a well-maintained home, they can choose a satin nickel faucet or an unlacquered brass faucet.Next You can also go for matte black door hardware and the rest of the house, and add brass details to your chandeliers. All of these metals can coexist,” says Welch. “I recently saw a house with a black sink and brass faucets. The cabinets also had chrome and glass hardware. It's not good and the metals aren't mixed properly. You can't just throw them in there. , not all metals mix.”
traditional style
Josh Welch.Designed by Jennifer Welch Design
Some might argue that traditional decoration never dipped into modernity, yet it is making a comeback like never before. Mr. McCarty and Mr. Hammett realized that their clients wanted traditional decorations at high prices.
“Traditional style designs are coming back, and they fit into the whole 'granny chic' vibe that's trending right now,” McCarty reveals.
This traditional push gave rise to the formal dining room, which has long given way to modern open floor plans. As traditional styles grow in popularity, McCarty notes that dining rooms, especially those with traditional decor, are also growing in popularity.
Welch says that while traditional decorations are certainly on the rise, many homeowners are seeking such decorations in more architecturally modern spaces.
“People are taking their favorite components from modern times,” Welch says. “Everyone used to want something modern, but that seems to have mellowed out a little bit. Now people are adding more traditional features to their architecture, like big windows (everyone likes natural light) and high ceilings. We want modern elements with furniture and fixtures.”
In this case, the entire design may be labeled as transitional. That's a fancy way of saying the decor is traditional and the architecture is modern. Traditional decorations have stood the test of time and are sure to come back for years to come, especially with this resurgence. Add to this a modern sensibility, and designers think they've got a trend we'll stick with.
jewel box laundry room
Laurie W. Glenn
The laundry room is a new powder room for 2023. In other words, it is a space like a jewelry box filled with the designer's desire to make design more enjoyable. But don't worry. Bold powder rooms are still all the rage, but now laundry rooms are catching up. In the past it was often ignored, but now it is no longer ignored.
“We're seeing more requests for laundry rooms that people don't necessarily pay attention to because they don't necessarily get seen by guests. Now people are wallpapering their laundry rooms and putting pretty colors, patterns and prints in them. ”
If you have the mobility and space, Welch says some people may move their washer and dryer into a closet for convenience.
combine old and new
Photo by Dustin Peck.Designed by Anne Pearson Design
Southerners will never let old designers tell them that heirlooms and antiques are lame, but it's still nice to hear that others appreciate what you like. Designers say it's the mix of old and new that will make 2023 homes dynamic and definitively cool.
“When you have the opportunity to mix classic furniture with new pieces, it makes the furniture more curated and timeless,” says Welch.
Part of this trend could be a healthy dose of inspiration from the past, McCarty said. Mr. Hammett said pieces that demonstrate modal midcentury design may be especially desirable.
“Vintage and retro is coming back, and that's really cool,” McCarty says. “People are upcycling existing furniture to make something new new, or antique shopping for pieces from the past that evoke nostalgic memories.”
sustainable furniture and decor
Josh Welch.Designed by Jennifer Welch Design
“I try not to waste too much,” Hammett says. “When I buy accessories, I always try to source vintage antiques from thrift stores, which don't encourage mass production, so they're actually more environmentally friendly. I hate mass-produced junk that ends up in a landfill. It just doesn't have much charm or character.”
The burgeoning antiques industry is just one example of how homeowners are incorporating sustainable sensibilities into their interiors. This trend could also be seen in homeowners growing more plants in their homes, and retailers using more natural materials and implementing eco-friendly technologies.
“I live in Oklahoma City, so oil and gas is a big part of the economy here,” Welch says. Some clients also use solar panels. ”
game table
Emily Prado
Last but not least, Hammett said the most popular trend he has observed is having a gaming table.
“Mahjong is big here in Charlotte,” she says. “Most furniture companies will manufacture game tables, even if they don't already have one. It's one of my most requested items right now.”
We theorize that the game table trend may have something to do with the current rise of formal dining rooms. For a long time, the dining table has been the place to do it all: play games, craft, work from home, and more. Now, people want to re-designate that space for formal dining, but these game tables can be used to play games or for any other necessary needs.