2022 has been an invigorating year so far, with many people welcoming friends and family back into their homes. Here then, are some of the biggest trends we’re seeing for next year, from Murphy beds making a comeback to vivid rooms saturated in all-over colour and consumable decor. What’s In: plaster walls, chrome accents and statement bedheads. What’s out: brass, white walls, square cushions. Read on for the home décor themes, concepts, and objects primed for a big moment in 2023, many that you may not be expecting.

Of course, remember, the balance of timeliness and timelessness is difficult to strike. The goal when introducing trends is to create a space that’s fresh but doesn’t date too quickly. Start with a core design style and look for ways to place one or two trend-driven elements into a space.

Ultimately, a space that feels eclectic won’t date and is more likely to remain timeless.

The 2023 home is about displaying off-beat touches that showcase our inner selves such as the colourful Punta Mita estate in Mexico, pictured, for Architectural Digest, November, 2022.  Photo: Fernando Marroquin.

1. Happy Homes (for Now and Beyond)

While the home has always been a place of intimacy, 2023 is about displaying off-beat touches that showcase our inner selves. Creating a space you’re happy with is all that matters. What individuality looks like in a space is up to interpretation, but an unconventional wall treatment is one way to do it. Read more, ‘Top Interior Design Trends For 2022.’

People are starting to embrace something that feels whimsical and softer.

2. Maximalism Makes a Comeback

More is more? We’ve heard talk recently of “minimalism fatigue”, and we’ve found ourselves swayed by colour and pattern. Glamour is a very big word in interiors right now. Call it an after-effect of being cooped up indoors the past few years, or just the design pendulum swinging to the opposite extreme, but maximalism—or shades of it—is making a comeback. People really want romantic paint colours, textures, and shapes, for instance, curves rather than angular and straight lines. It’s part of the avant basic movement and desire to curate joyful, uplifting spaces with the use of punchy hues, curves and pattern. Read more, ‘9 Design Trends We Will Be Seeing In The Very Near Future.’

People really want to curate uplifting spaces with the use of curves rather than angular straight lines. Glamour is a big word in interiors right now. Design + Photo: Kellywearstler.com

3. Home Retreats: A Personal Worldly Oasis

People are letting the holiday come to them —at least, that’s the sentiment behind one interior concept that’s been catching on among particularly stylish people. Instead of travelling abroad for a dose of escapism, it’s as easy as walking into a room that looks like an old European villa. (which many no longer go to because of COVID). Creating a personal worldly oasis means lots of natural light, warm wood tones, and airy linen furniture to create the vision of resort life, but it can also be as simple as swapping heavy curtains for breezy linen ones or decorating shelves with objects from abroad. Read more, ‘The Big Picture Home Designs Taking Off Right Now.’

Home retreats: One interior concept that’s catching on among stylish people is the creation of personal worldly retreats reminiscent of old European villas which bring the holiday home. Photo by Tim Street-Porter for 1stDibs.com

4. Colour All-Over

Of particular note: all-over colour, in which rooms are saturated—walls to ceiling—in a single hue. Think of it as an anti-neutral renaissance. People are no longer immediately defaulting to white. We’re departing from ‘white, light and airy’ to depth and sophistication with darker tones such as rust and green. We’re embracing a balance of contemporary silhouettes with traditional elements. The rise of earthy, natural textures is an extension of this interest It’s all about organic design.

Colour is back in a big way.

We’re departing from ‘white, light and airy’ to depth and sophistication with rich, darker tones such as rust and green. Photography by Fernando Marroquin for ArchitecturalDigest.com

5. Comfort above-all

Maybe we’re all just feeling a little exhausted, or maybe we’re not yet ready to give up the work-from-home, everyday athleisure experience, but many of us are still not ready for sharp edges in our interiors. Plush, tufted, and luxuriously upholstered furniture pieces and accessories are trending and proving that you can be both stylish and cosy at home. An ottoman was the most requested piece designers say in projects this year, and helped create spaces that truly felt like refugees.

People want to put their feet up and relax. Materials like mohairs, velvets, suedes, mixed with textured linens and wools, rattan, and jute are big news for 2023.

Plush, tufted, and luxuriously upholstered furniture are trending and proving that you can be both stylish and cosy at home. Design + Photo: RosieUniacke.com

6. All-Over Wood Panelling

We noted the first inklings of the return of wood panelling way back in 2021—but the resurgence is now in full swing.

7. Dark Cabinetry

From kitchens to mud rooms to vanities, darker wood stains and painted finishes will characterise much of the palette for 2023. Black has become so much more mainstream lately. It helps ground a space and make lighter colours pop. Contrast is key. Read more, ’10 Renovation Trends You’ll Be Seeing a lot of in 2022.’

8. Hand-Drawn Details

Last year, hand-painted details were everywhere. This year the trend is getting even more freehand, with hand-drawn murals taking over, like these scribbled room numbers and mini frescoes by artist Franck Library at Hotel Le Sud in France. Expect to see it everywhere in 2023.

Ultimately, a space that feels eclectic won’t date and is more likely to remain timeless. Fifth Avenue NYC Project by Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus. Photo: Jerimiah Brent

9. Cohesive Baths

The latest in the bath? Walls, sinks, benchtops, and surrounds all in the same finish, hue, or tile will be huge in 2023.

10. Interior Windows

Interior windows are all over, bringing with them natural light and there-but-not-there architectural divides.

Photo by Lindsay Brown 1stdibs.com

11. Supercyling Vintage

Homeowners are increasingly purchasing second-hand furniture but in future, the practice will be the norm. The supply chain and long lead times have encouraged more vintage hunting among designers who prefer the availability advantage along with the sustainability benefits.

12. Flinstone Chic: Brutalism

People want unusual, sculptural pieces that have an edge and patina. You don’t want to turn your home into a totalitarian bunker, it’s about adding a brooding, prehistoric aesthetic to ground everything with organic-looking consoles, tables and lamp bases.

Prehistoric chic has gone mainstream with Anthena Calderone’s collaboration with Crate & Barrell, pictured.

13.  Murphy Beds Make a Comeback 

As homeowners try to squeeze more out of their spaces, the once humble, now elevated Murphy bed is finding a new fan base. The wall unit with built-in shelving that contains a full-size wall bed to eke the most out of space.

Three-in-one rooms are the next big thing.

14. Pieces with an Old Soul 

2023 forecasts called for major inspiration from pieces with old souls They serve to ground interiors and furniture, and work with many styles and textiles. We’re all drawn toward natural materials particularly old pieces such as one-off marble sinks, Turkish pots, rustic timber stools, terracotta planters, stone troughs sourced from Turkey, Morocco, Greece, France, India and Indonesia, which are being used more and more in homes. By sprinkling these old worn-looking objects around a room, or garden, you can create the aura of casualness seen in grand homes.

Pieces with patina telegraphs easygoing style.

Photo by Tim Street-Porter for 1stDibs.com

15. The Statement Bedhead

If last year was all about return of the statement bedspread, this year and 2023, the strong sculptural design detail is appearing on bedheads all over. It’s a low-commitment way to make a statement.

Sculptural bedheads are a low-commitment way to make a statement. Photo: Fernando Marroquin for ArchitecturalDigest.com

16. Sculpted Heads

On our radar: strong busts and sculptures of heads, by turns romantic and a little eerie

14. Prioritizing Pantries

No longer catch-alls or unattractive afterthoughts, pantries, larders, and even root cellars are finally getting their due this year.

17. Round Accent Cushions 

The use of disc-shaped cushions that look like balls as accents is one of the more subtle interior design trends on this list, but it’s a must-try for the ease alone.

A small investment, but a lot of personality.

Photo by Lindsay Brown 1stdibs.com

18. Statement sofas

In 2023, statement sofas will assume their position as the focal point of a living room, with cult designs like the De Sede Terrazza, De Sede Non-Stop Snake, and the Mario Bellini Camaleonda sitting at the top of the pecking order.

Upholstery will also be the subject of extra attention.

Of course, remember, the balance of timeliness and timelessness is difficult to strike. The goal when introducing trends is to create a space that’s fresh but doesn’t date too quickly. Photo: Crate & Barrell for Eyeswoon.com

19. High-Style Plaster

It’s on the up for walls, and set to become an interior design favourite. The magic of plaster is that it can add depth and personality to a space without extra millwork detail.

Photography by Fernando Marroquin for ArchitecturalDigest.com

20. Silver Metal Finishes

Chrome, white bronze and polished nickel, will be making a comeback. It doesn’t stop there though. Take care to mix your chrome accents with other textures and colours to let it stand out.

21. Food as Decor

We’ve been raving about consumables as decor for decades but now we’re seeing it used all over the place, from bread hung on the walls as art, chunks of bread used as candlesticks to a homage to the humble potato in Paris where piles of them are displayed in bowls at smart hotels.

22. Lamps anywhere

Good table lamps are the beautiful earrings of the home. You might not even realise it, but they can truly affect your disposition. We are noticing lamps popping up in unexpected places including kitchen benchtops. The more unexpected the lamp placement, the better.

Photo by Tim Street-Porter for 1stDibs.com

22. Cork, Hemp, and Other Eco Materials

Look out for the rise and rise of building materials with renewable roots that take less of a toll on the environment. Here’s hoping building with hemp and other eco-minded materials becomes the new norm.

23. Stone 

From travertine sinks to marble backsplashes, stone has proven itself as a hot commodity – with extra emphasis on using the raw material in unexpected tones and in unexpected ways. It’s about artful marble. Look out for tonnes of beautiful pinks and deep blues and, deep-green marble. You can start with a coral-coloured marble serving platter or plinth. Think of them as art pieces. *Lead image: Photography by Fernando Marroquin for ArchitecturalDigest.com

Think of stone as art pieces. Photography by Fernando Marroquin for ArchitecturalDigest.com