Design Trends 2023
Every fall, I start to put together my Trend Forecast highlights for the next year. I’ve been doing this for 5+ years now just on my Instagram page. This year, we’ve upgraded to a BLOG! I’ve got so much to share, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to blog these. Who’s ready??
There always seems to be varying opinions when people talk about where interior design trends come from. For me, it’s all about FASHION baby! Well, fashion & cars. Crazy as it may seem, the car industry predicts style trends like no other. Now that you know, when a new car colour hits the streets note the year because it usually takes the world 5+ years to catch on. Even the lines on a new car model; when the lines went subtle, the world went HEYYY MODERN. Take the Honda Civic for example, in the early 2000’s they made the body frame bigger than it’s ever previously been, smoothed out all the lines in the style as well.. and sure enough, in walks the modern fashion style we now know and love today. Now, have you seen it’s upgrade as of 2016? It looks like it’s been to space & back!! … you’ll catch my “space” drift soon ..
In this BLOG, I’ve got 4 slideshows for these predictions to help explain why I see them and where I’m seeing them used:
1 - Fashion Runway Trends that help me predict what’s to come in the Interior Design world
2 - High-Fashion Interior Design Trends for those trendy risk-takers
3 - Futuristic Design Trends. You’ll see these in Paris & New York, but these won’t catch the eyes of your neighbour for another 3-5 years
4 - Street-Side Interior Design Trends for you frequent Homesense shoppers
Please note: These images are NOT mine, but you can find them on my Pinterest Page for their proper tags & credits.
1 - FASHION
These images are all from Vogue. Obviously this is a mixed bag, so let me break it down for you.. POPS of colour. Robotic forms… think alien-like. Nods to the 2000’s fashion trends. The 70’s revival is still going strong, as well as unflattering silhouettes. There’s also some throwback pieces to 70’s western vibes and I’m here for the turquoise rhinestones, snakeskin & plaid.. I’m here for it all! Now I know what you’re thinking - there’s no way I’m going back to shag carpets & painting my walls bright orange…
.. don’t let this scare you.. read on so this all makes sense
Have you noticed more alien-like shapes around? Visit Crate & Barrel’s lighting section.. tell me some of those shapes don’t remind you of Men In Black characters, or something you’d see in a Dr Seuss book. Giant zippers, huge shoulder pads, alien-like sunglasses, bright coloured leather corsets like we’ve never seen. Loose strings, random buttons & ruffles for no reason. The Y2K throwbacks are still predominate, too (I love them)
We’ve been experiencing the comeback (with a modern twist) of all our favourite decades for so long, that these ARE supposed to feel out of place, weird & wild. They’re completely new! What we’re about to experience is a whole nuance of fresh styles that are bound to trip people out. But.. isn’t it about damn time? Send me an email or a DM on the gram and let me know what you think!
2 - HIGH FASHION INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS
Attention Architectural Digest. Dwell magazine. We see you. We see your high-fashion interiors with zero budget & all the resources in the world. These trends are going to be seen in the high-fashion interior design world. These might not make it to your neighbourhood, but they sure are fun to watch sometimes! Be on the lookout for these trends & you’ll also notice some similarities in these trends reflecting from the fashion world.
You’ll notice that same 70’s flair with round organic shapes, mustards, olives & rusty amber colours. Houndstooth + Animal Print + that millennial Cotton Blend Tweed. The use of leather, animal prints & checkerboard. Plaid, metallics and BROWN. Did I mention animal prints? Denim + Lace. You’ll also continue to see natural woods as we’ve grown to love, but layering a mixture of different kinds of wood is definitely more offbeat. Speaking of, the nostalgia of small scaled patterns are back in full swing. But there’s an even bigger trend we should all keep our eyes peeled for: the relaxed fit. Think mismatched styles, finishes & colours. You’ll start to notice ultra modern furniture paired with retro decor; the same opposed styles we’re seeing on the runway (untouched hair, a prom dress & sneakers). Amiright? So go ahead and paint your kitchen pink. Go off the beaten path - Sarah said so ;)
This new style of undressing what we’ve always known; a total break from the rules, will really be a flex of which designers truly understand DESIGN and who’s just playing by the elements & principles. & I’m totally excited for it. I think it’s safe to say: no one’s going to be scared of colour in the next few years.. or adding your grandma’s favourite vintage chair to your Ikea covered condo. It’s all about breaking the rules here people.
So go on with your bad self. The key word here is: JUXTAPOSITION (one of my all time favourite words)
PS. all these photos are not mine & can be found for proper credit on my Pinterest Page.
3 - FUTURISTIC INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS
Friends. This is it. This is the one we should all be talking about. I mean, you can’t say you didn’t see this trend coming after Elon decided we should set up camp on Mars…. OK, maybe no one seen this one coming. But you can’t tell me you haven’t noticed Kim K’s sunglasses lately…
These style trends are unique, in a sense, but in a way they’re also just so incredibly simple. Let’s talk general for a minute.. the earth is round, we are born as a ball inside of a round ball (no offence mom..), & when we come out we’re placed in rectangular shapes everywhere. Why aren’t windows, doors & rooms round? .. OK stop it, that was a rhetorical question. But do you see what I’m saying??
Odd colours to us are only odd because they haven’t hit ‘main stream’ in our lifetime, but that doesn’t mean they’re not enjoyable colours. We’ve been pretty grey-trapped for a while.. and now, NEUTRAL TRAPPED. Now I know the Scandinavian style is a huge make or break right now, and honestly, rightfully so. I’ve been a huge fan of the natural raw earth materials and softness of this style since first year design school (2012). I’ll never ever turn my back to it… but when every.single.house.has.the.same.exact.things….. your girl is going mental
With this fast-forward style, you’ll notice a play on lighting, different colour tones like we’ve never seen, and lots of round shapes. There’s still lots of natural elements: woods & stones, but they’re less reliant on them. I find that we always tend to start designing with the natural elements: woods & stones / tiles, then work from there. These futuristic interiors seem to start with how the space FEELS. it’s FLOW. it’s CHARACTER. And allows the natural elements to be featured in a way that is balanced to the non-natural elements in them. Showcasing man-made elements… whaaatttt
And just to add more juxtaposition.. see below for your Street-Side Trends ;)
Once again, these photos are not mine & can be found for proper credit on my Pinterest Page.
4 - STREET SIDE INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS
Ahhh I can feel your heart rates mellowing from here… Welcome to the chill zone (finally, I know). Homesense, Pottery Barn, CB2.. the whole crew’s on board with these.. & some more than others!
Rawness is back baby. Knotty woods with grain & multi-tone stains. Not the plain whitewashed pure oak we’ve all been using. Now, for the kicker: DARK. Moody spaces are the ticket to all cozy spaces. You don’t have to go completely dark, but the muddier neutrals are back for sure. Say goodbye to Simply White and say hello to Cougar Brown, Antique Pewter or Majestic Sage.
I’m sure you’ve heard this one in everyone’s predictions already, so it’s got to be said: Statement Stone is a YES people! + You know what’s great, you’ll be able to find these on discount from decades ago in the back warehouses… only some of the stone vendors will catch on & up the price as they all will eventually.. don’t say I didn’t tell you so now!
As for velvet, don’t worry, it’s sticking around.. just not the crushed kind. Find yourself a good tight velvet that adds some shine. Speaking of shine, COPPER! (Metallics might be my favourite street-side trend of them all). All the shine - get it. Get all of it. High gloss. Leather. We’re done with the antiqued brass - it’s polished gold & even some chrome now folks. Yep, I said Chrome…. just please, promise me you’ll leave grey out of this! Polished everything but add in some sherpa, houndstooth & wool textures. Warm woods. Layer people, layer. Get the odd shaped pieces - we love them. Get the funkiest lamp you can find & pair it with your grandmother’s china. We’re going all out here folks & my thrifting muscles are so ready for it.
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Lastly, these photos are not mine and can be found properly credited on my Pinterest Page.
If you’ve got this far.. I love you
I’d also like to remind you that DESIGN is a form of art - & art is in the eye of the beholder. So if you think I’m completely out to lunch, you’re most likely not alone. Every single home should be as unique as the people who reside inside of it. That’s the point of Interior Design & I’ll forever make it my life’s mission to keep it that way. No cookie cutting here folks. Your style is your style - so PLEASE be true to who you are.
You’re unique + we love you for it
Make sure to check back at my predictions throughout the year, and I’ll definitely be highlighting the ones I missed & the ones I hit this time next year. Until then, stay tuned to my Instagram Page for my daily life extravaganza, and don’t forget to check out my Services Page if you’re feeling like getting things in your humble abode up-to-date, or even just a casual refresh. I’m the perfect Partner!