Although we’ve started a new year free of pandemic restrictions, we’ve brought with us new ways and freedoms on how to live our lives. Through this, we’ve seen a shift in how we design and decorate our homes, and seemingly, celebrating the pieces that make us, us, is what’s bang on-trend. What a refreshing thought!
This year, we’re leaving behind the cooler, tranquil tones of greys, greens and blues and opting for warm and vivacious shades of red. And while natural elements and sustainability are still top priorities, we’re beginning to move away from indoor jungles, caning and the boho trend of recent years to slightly more sophisticated interiors, featuring curved lines and natural stone and marble.
And perhaps most importantly, 2023 is the year to let your personality shine through your most treasured possessions (and give them a little tender loving if need be). Join Artfinder's Chief Editor, Emily Sparshott, in discovering the interior design trends most celebrated in 2023.
Rich shades of red
Just as we’ve seen in years past, earthy, natural tones have dominated interior palettes. This year however, we’re moving from fresh greens and blues to more rich, ambient tones of reds and browns, with leaders in the industry giving us the nudge to feel more empowered in choosing warmer and more exciting palettes.
Executive Director at the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, describes Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year choice, Viva Magenta.
“[Viva Magenta] is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.
“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.”
Household paint brands have shared similar sentiments, with American luxury paint brand, Benjamin Moore, announcing Raspberry Blush as their 2023 colour of the year, as well as the UK’s Farrow & Ball introducing Bamboozle as one of their brand new paint colours for 2023.
The beauty of these rich hues is that you can play with juxtaposition. With red being a primary colour, it lends itself to experimentation with depth and shade, allowing more freedom with analogous shades of purple and orange, as well as accents of earthy gold and bronze.
Incorporating warm reds into your space doesn’t have to mean committing to painted walls either. Artworks that include these tones can be a great start. Artfinder’s own James Hussey, uses a beautiful magenta shade to create his abstract painting 13 minutes & 14 seconds. If you’re feeling bolder with your artwork choice, Alessandro Butera combines sculpture and painting to create his dynamic Italian style series.
Natural elements
We’ll continue to see natural elements weave their way through hard furnishings in 2023, with natural stone and marble continuing to add marvel to interior spaces.
Special materials, such as veined marble, are perfect for adding dimension and movement to your space. And while you may not want to commit to a full kitchen or bathroom fit-out — hello high budgets — opting for side tables, benchtops or even home accessories such as coasters or serving platters in marble are a great way to add a touch of the high-end.
Rough-hewn stone or timber is another element tipped for 2023 greatness. The term, ‘rough-hewn’ simply refers to a natural material that’s been cut but not finished, making for a ‘raw’ or ‘rough’ aesthetic. Texture and depth is integral to creating interesting and dynamic interior spaces, so if you’re keen on adding plenty of natural materials throughout your home, rough-hewn stone or timber will be perfectly aligned with what’s on-trend this year — and potentially kinder on your wallet than marble.
Fieke de Roij is a beautiful example of an artist who handcarves organic objects from natural stone. Her collection, New Company, is created from both sandstone and bluestone and invites the owner to make their own composition from the objects, allowing for even more interaction and personalisation of the sculpture.
Rasho Mitev’s piece, Whiff, lets the material - a stunning veined marble - do all the talking. The sculpture marries both curved, rolling lines and a rough-hewn texture, which reminds us of magnificent rolling hills.
Curves in the right places
When early 2000s contemporary design once meant sharp, angled edges, the life-changing events of recent years have encouraged people to seek comfort in their space. And while rounded shapes, curves and arcs have been a design fixture for a few years now, it’s looking like they are here to stay another year. Curved architectural-inspired pieces made from — you guessed it, natural stone — are making a big impact in the interior design scene.
What’s particularly exciting about natural stone with rounded edges is that it is both dramatic and organic. Soft, curving forms mimic the fluidity of nature — think crashing waves and mountainscapes — while the material only needs to speak for itself.
Incorporating a few curved artworks can be a great way to add dimension to your room, without making big structural changes or blowing your budget on furniture. The impressive Rose Twist Stone by Jeff Rosenfeld uses white and pink alabaster (a fine-textured gypsum) to carve his flowing figure-eight sculpture.
Loetitia Pillault’s, A Peaceful Day, is painted on a round canvas, which adds contemporary interest to a traditional landscape scene — an alternative if you’re after a piece to hang on your wall.
Objects with meaning
Art has the ability to speak to the viewer in ways that other everyday objects cannot, which is why it’s so important to find pieces that embody meaning beyond being simply a wall hanging. We’re now seeing interior designers acknowledge the importance of meaningful objects that aren’t necessarily on-trend, but personal all-the-same.
Prioritising designs that make you happy is key in 2023 — so while there may be on-trend colour palettes or materials, what’s really going to make you feel most comfortable is to fill your space with things that inspire nostalgia, authenticity, happy memories and a sense of home.
For those personal objects that are looking a little tired, upcycling is a wonderful way to breathe life into a piece that needs some extra-care. When it comes to improving existing pieces, this year’s trend is to honour the object itself, rather than embellish it. This could mean stripping back and refinishing old furniture with a natural wax or stain, or repurposing old textiles.
Alternatively, you could simply embrace all the bumps and tarnishes of the piece, acknowledging that imperfections are just a sign of an object well-loved!
While looking for your next piece of art, prioritise pieces that remind you of a special time, whether that’s a beautiful country you’ve visited, an object that represents yourself or a special person, or even an abstract that invokes a certain feeling. There really is so much choice when it comes to buying original art, so harnessing that special memory or moment in time is really important to finding something that will inevitably become an heirloom.
Yenny Cocq’s iconic bronze families are easily customisable to reflect your own family (which includes four-legged friends). An artwork that features your hometown or favourite spot to travel is also a wonderful way to capture your personality — take Steve White’s Oxford paintings series or David Baker’s Scottish seascapes.
Spaces with (multi)purpose
Interior design in 2023 is all about rooms that are multipurpose by design. An open-plan kitchen that serves as an overall ‘entertainment’ space is an obvious example of this and not a particularly new concept. However, with our lifestyles drastically changing post-pandemic, we’ve turned to the home to be more than just a home — it’s now a gym, a library, an office.
With this in mind, interior design needs to support the overall function of individual spaces, choosing furnishings and decor that allow for function fluidity. For example, hollow bench seating that not only caters to extra bums around the dining table, but also includes in-built storage for a makeshift workspace will be prioritised in 2023.
When choosing art for a multi-purpose room, we’d recommend opting for abstracts in shades that best complement the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Claire Desjardins’ Hike for Days represents her experience of walking through nature and a moment of serenity. James Bassett’s piece, Candy Floss Clouds, is a bright and vivacious print, which emanates life and energy. Whatever ambience you want to create, make sure your piece is a manifestation of your personality.
So, now you’re equipped with all the information you need to create an on-trend interior design, what are you waiting for? We’d love to hear from you with your own 2023-inspired contemporary spaces.
