Hi there, my name is Sydney Courington - I work as an interior designer for NewStudio where I design for commercial, retail, residential and workplace interiors. Interior design trends are constantly evolving, with new styles and crafts emerging every year. People always ask me, “what are the current trends” or “what should I know about designing my home environment”. Ultimately, I suggest it’s all about the evolution of your own style. I predict the following trends will be prevalent throughout the interior design industry in 2023 and, perhaps, you will find this helpful!

Mixing Design Styles

A trend that is gaining momentum and will be around for a long time, is the integration of vintage and modern elements in interior design. The queen of the eclectic style is Kelly Wearstler. She’s been driving bold and unique design styles for years. Wearstler effortlessly incorporates a mix of vintage, organic, contemporary, and modern elements that reflect her clients and the project locations.

Interior design is all about curation and the careful selection of items that you love. Try to focus on pieces you are drawn to, not necessarily what’s trending (ironic, I know). Mixing styles helps you recognize what you like in your space and allows your style to evolve.

Color & Pattern

Designers are moving away from white, neutral spaces that resemble those commonly seen on Pinterest. Instead, they are layering details using color and pattern to create spaces that best reflect the unique personalities of clients. This prediction is re-affirmed with the 2023 paint colors of the year, which are bright and invigorating!

If you have a neutral space and want to spice it up, start by adding colorful statement pieces like throw pillows, rugs, artwork and work your way up to small furniture pieces like side table and accent chairs. If you get excited and want to continue, paint the walls, trim and ceiling aqua blue like in Nicole Harding’s Country House project. The detail of the green painted doors to match the hutch, just stunning! The point I’m trying to get across is to have fun with your space!

Decorative Lighting

Lighting plays such an important role in interior design and the ambiance it brings to a space. With people looking for cozy, personality-filled atmospheres, accent lighting will be heavily incorporated into 2023 interiors. Accent lighting like wall sconces, table lamps and pendant lighting can transform a room and can help guide the style. Add a funky table lamp to your dining room sideboard or organic shaped wall sconces on either side of your wall art.

I’ve been loving the look of oversized focal fixtures, whether that’s in a dining room, bedroom or living room. I think a large-scale fixture can ground a space and be an unpredictable, exciting element! NewStudio’s PerPay project has a stunning light installation and although this is a commercial space, it’s another great example of how lighting can make a difference.

Emphasis on sustainability

The most important “trend” is the emphasis on sustainable design. With the international alarm sounding on carbon emissions and global pollution, consumers are putting their foot down and changing their shopping habits. Whether it’s thrifting, locally sourcing or researching the manufacturing and production process of furniture and finishes, consumers are putting in the work to make sure they are shopping sustainably.

The forecast 2023 trends shift towards interiors that are more vibrant, warm, and colorful, which reflects our current need for comfort and security as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, there has already started to be a resurgence in popularity of designs that blend traditional and modern elements. This shift is marked by a decrease in popularity of minimalistic, white-walled designs, and an increase in popularity of designs that incorporate moody color schemes, textured wallpapers, cozy textures, and natural materials. Lastly, I’m hopeful that the conscious consumer will continue to push the design industry towards a more sustainable future.