It’s never too early to start thinking about how you want to tweak your home design in the new year.
You know what they say: Your home is an extension of you. So what do you want your home to “say” in 2023?
Perhaps you’re looking to freshen up your space with some small changes here and there such swapping out the wallpaper on an accent wall or backsplash. Or maybe you want a whole change of scenery with lighting and architectural updates. Either way, you’re in luck. The possibilities are endless.
Here, a few NoVA-based interior design experts weigh in on the trends they see coming in 2023 and how you can incorporate them into your own home.
Play around with color changes
Color is always a topic clients love to discuss, and no one wants to choose a color palette that feels dated too quickly, notes Pamela Harvey, interior designer and principal of Pamela Harvey Interiors.
And consumers are growing tired of the stark whites and grays that have been in style for the last several years, adds Michelle Troxell, interior designer and owner of Grace Thomas Designs in Leesburg.
“Lately, we are all yearning for palettes that are softer and warmer,” Troxell says. “Whites are being replaced with off-whites and creams and grays are being swapped for more natural wood tones.”
And the bolder colors are getting earthier.
Troxell says oranges, yellows, and especially greens are going to get more time in the spotlight.
Elevated blush tones will also be popular in 2023, notes Asha Maxey, principal interior designer with Alexandria-based Asha Maía Design.
As an alternative to traditional neutral tones, we expect to see more subtle pink hues like rich mauves, dusty pinks, and blush, Maxey says.
She also sees rooms in deep or moody colors becoming a bigger trend in the new year.
“This trend includes taking the wall color from baseboard to crown molding and incorporating monochromatic tones in other prominent elements within the space to create a rich and elevated setting,” Maxey adds.
People are often afraid of going darker in a space because they feel it will make the room feel smaller.
In response to this, Maxey recommends trying this trend in a smaller space or one that is closed off from the major living area.
“Rooms like an office, study, or even a formal living room or dining room where you spend less time are perfect for this,” she says. “If you want to achieve an even cozier space, carry the wall color across the ceiling as well.”
Wallpaper makes a comeback
Wallpaper was big in 2022 and will continue to be in 2023, Maxey says.
“This trend is wonderful because it can be interpreted in numerous ways based on personal style,” she says.
“For many years, the general public shied away from it, thinking it was better suited for their grandmas, but now, it’s seen as a great way to incorporate personality into your spaces, no matter your taste,” adds Troxell.
There are many ways to incorporate wallpaper into your home.
“We love to make a statement on ceilings, especially in a dining room,” says Troxell. “The fifth wall is just as important as the other four!”
However, if you’re not quite ready for that kind of commitment, a powder room is a great place to test out a bolder look without affecting the rest of your home, she recommends.
The rise of ‘granny-chic’
And speaking of grandmas, it appears their influence is going beyond just wallpaper in the new year.
“Grand-millennial style — or the style affectionately called ‘granny chic’ — will be even bigger in 2023,” says Maxey. “This style intertwines elements of traditional and modern design to create warm, layered, and sophisticated spaces.”
Key elements of the ‘granny-chic’ style are traditional details and patterns.
“Incorporate antique furniture and decor pieces into your space,” Maxey suggests. “For example, try starting with a more contemporary silhouette for your sofa with cleaner lines and pair that with side chairs in a traditional profile like the Bergere chair.”
Antiquing is a great way to find pieces for your grand-millennial-style space.
“Whether it be a great chest with a marble top, a fabulous old lighting fixture, or something unique you’ve inherited from your grandmother, find a way to use it in your home,” adds Harvey.
“Florals and plaid prints are big with this style so try incorporating textiles in these patterns,” Maxey says. “You can do this with drapery, decorative pillows, or even upholstered accent pieces.”
The return of maximalism
For the past several years, there has been an emphasis on a more minimalistic style in the home. With the focus all about simplicity and neutral colors, everything often looks very similar and there are fewer pieces and lots of white.
But Harvey says she foresees a shift happening in 2023 toward maximalism.
“The modern farmhouse look of all white and black accents will start to subside, as it does not suit every house,” she adds.
Maximalism is bold colors, pattern mixing, and, overall, much more creative, Harvey explains.
“Everything doesn’t have to match; it just needs to work in the rooms and blend in,” she says. “One question I always ask my designers when selecting fabrics, color, and style is, ‘Do they all look like they are going to the same party?’”
A great way to incorporate this style into your home in a small way is to try creating a gallery wall, Harvey suggests.
“Mix in both black and white art with colorful pieces, old family photos, and objects you can hang on the wall,” she adds. “Good decorative pillows in fun patterns and colors are the best way to refresh and add a new look to a room.”
Or if you have all neutral furniture, change up your area rug.
“We recently helped a client re-vamp her dining room and all her furniture was very neutral,” Harvey adds. “We choose a large fuchsia area rug and added some bold abstract art and a few accessories, and it really brought the room to life.”
Architectural design will be big
A focus on architectural details will also be significant in 2023, with more attention being paid to the interior architecture of the home in tandem with furnishings and decor.
“After many years of overuse, and another few decades of removing as much as possible, these elements are now being utilized very thoughtfully to bring character back into a space,” says Troxell.
“Architectural details like arches and panel molding add visual interest and detail to a space without detracting from the furnishing and décor,” says Maxey. “Classic details like these are timeless and can add sophistication and style to the home.”
Although this is becoming a trend, Maxey says she foresees this one sticking around, as classic architectural details like this are just that — classic and timeless.
“When it comes to adding architectural detail, start in a space like the dining room or powder room as these are great spaces to make a big impact with this trend,” Maxey says. “Go big by paneling from floor to ceiling and perhaps swapping out the traditional dining room doorway for an arched one.”
Another way to incorporate this trend is by applying the panel molding halfway up the wall and hanging wallpaper above that for added personality and style, she adds.
“As long as the homeowner is thoughtful about deciding which will best blend with their intended style, these elements can make a space look effortlessly timeless without being bland,” adds Troxell.
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