Interior design trends 2023: the 31 decorating looks for the year

Interior design trends for 2023 are vast and varied. There are some new colors, new textures and new materials, but most importantly, there are new moods. Most of the moods tend to revolve around a spa-like sense of serenity, or a fun and patterned decorative boost of joy.

"How people want to decorate has recently shifted," says the designer Lee Broom. "For a start, we’re all craving a better outlook, and part of achieving that is to condition your own brain to think more positively, which you can do by surrounding yourself with things that make you feel happy. Cocktail cabinets that move and rotate, furniture that’s geared towards sitting together and being convivial, anything that is a bit playful and glamorous and dramatic."

This desire has filtered out and been interpreted in many different ways. From the lamps that make flexible living super-easy to the soft colors, shown above, that enhance relaxation and add joy here are the interior design trends we think will be biggest in 2023 and beyond.

Interior design trends for 2023

The interior designer Tara Bernerd believes that there is a general move to sophistication, but it's a more relaxed take on sophistication than ever before. "While that feeling of luxury remains very important, don’t we now all want something that feels approachable, too?" Tara says. 

"That you can walk around barefoot in and not feel worried about? I find that people still want their spaces to feel grand, but while we might turn the volume up in the living room with some real wow design, we’ll then do a chic media room where the materials and textures are less formal, more edgy, more comfortable. This totally reflects what’s happening generally, as people are finding they can be just as smart without a tie, and women have largely swapped their heels for trainers."

1. Cylindrical chandeliers

The latest lighting forms take inspiration from oblong shapes, casting targeted and tantalising glows. In fact, you could call them tubular belles. Why this shape, and why now? It's because they're playful and polished, flexible, and finessed, a striking statement with a curvaceous silhouette. 

They also funnel light, creating the ideal glow for how we want to live now - warm and flattering and sociable. 'My favorite trend is the use of statement lighting pieces that can be used as both a functional and decorative element,' says the interior designer Nina Magon. Lighting trends generally would imply that the era of the big light is over, that wall and floor lamps are the most important now. But the targeted way this shape creates light means if you have to have a big central light, then it has to be tubularly shaped.

GET THE LOOK

Cirkus chandelier by AGO, Finnish Design Shop

It comes in many colors - from dark black to this warm terracotta - so you're bound to find one that works. The U-shaped wall light version is appealing, too.

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2. Gold-edged ceramics

Designers and makers are warming minimalist palettes slightly with just a hint of a Midas touch. A functioning lemon squeezer, but make it art? We’ve come a long way from the iconic Philippe Starck Juciy Salif to reach this pretty and perfect hand-painted ceramic offering. Shown above, part of a collection by Feldspar brings just the right amount of bling to the table, while remaining subtly pretty, too. 

It's an approach being utilized by Jo Davies and Pinto too, folding perfectly into the minimalism in interior design vibe we all crave so much right now. “Minimalist living is not only about having a clean home, it is also about celebrating nature and authenticity,” say Hélène Pinaud of Heju Studio. “So we are not afraid to incorporate artisanal, vintage and homemade objects and furniture but always in a quiet, neutral palette." Just a touch of elevation to the everyday, but not enough it creates any visual noise.

GET THE LOOK

Feldspar porcelain, Matches Fashion

The entire Feldspar collection - from mugs to pitchers to lemon squeezers - is available here, and blends beautifully into a modern, minimalist home.

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3. Aluminum

This easily recycled metal has been upgraded from drinks cans to some of the most covetable design around, as part of a bigger movement for designers to reappraise more sustainable means. 'Rough and smooth, shiny and matte, black and white - we want [to use] a lot of materials to avoid too much monotony,' says Tom Dixon, who has used it for lightweight chairs. MDF Italia has fashioned a bench from it and New York-based designers Workstead using aluminum in a lighting collection. 

Consisting of a pendant and sconce design, the sleek minimal forms showcase the beauty of the material in its purity, creating a perfect backdrop for the light to reflect off. Understated, yet commanding attention, we love the contrast between the soft conical silhouettes and the industrial edge of the waxed aluminium itself. Less of a juxtaposition and more of a happy marriage. 

GET THE LOOK

Monumental pendant light, Workstead at 1st Dibs

As a design studio, Workstead's project often appear in Livingetc. Its products are no exception, and this seemingly simple aluminum shade offers just a flash of metallic gleam. 

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4. Decorative storage boxes

If there's one big mood happening in design for 2023 it's about paring back, seeking to live more minimally, and finding ways out interiors can make us feel calm. 

So step forward the micro-trend for decorative storage boxes, a way to clear the clutter while still having a bit more personality then a clear glass Kilner jar. We're seeing artisans, designers and our favorite brands create them, but the Sidekick has to be the best. Elegantly finished with a glossy lacquer, The Sidekick storage boxes by Trove add a touch of joyful elegance to the dressing table. Made to complement the larger storage trunks designed by the Australian brand, these are perfect for small jewellery accessories such as cufflinks and rings. Contemporary and color-blocked, these storage boxes are not to be hidden.

GET THE LOOK

Sidekick storage box, Trove at Nordstrom

In a kaleidoscope of on-trend colors the Sidekick boxes are pretty enough to have out on display, yet clean-lined enough that they still feel relatively calm.

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5. Curvaceous Cabinetry

More storage, and this time in a much bigger way. And it's going seriously sexy as tidying up never looked so good. The other side of the same coin as those decorative storage boxes, these cabinets are more evidence of the quest to just put everything away and live in an uncluttered space. 

Of course, not all storage is to hide your stuff in, and these wet bar cabinets are a way to get the party started. 'Organic shapes are just very inviting' says the designer Bryan O'Sullivan, who regularly uses curves in his schemes. Here, the 88 Secrets Bar Cabinet by Scarlet Splendour brings the glamor with its nod to Italian design aesthetics paired with opulent rose metal details and a sumptuous palette. Handcrafted in Kolkata, this will elevate your entertaining game, providing a space from which to prepare and serve drinks to guests. Customisable finishes are available so you can create a truly individual piece.

6. Golden tones

Shimmering like sunsets, this pleasantly warm and flaxen hue is elevating interiors with a touch of pure luxe. Bethan Gray has used it on furniture, Arflex have it on chairs and it makes a shimmering splash on this wallpaper from Kirkby, who has teamed with global fashion house Eley Kishimito for this collection. 

'‘Whether it’s a little dash of retro Hollywood chic on a brass cocktail trolley, a beautiful abstract chunk of metal for a coffee table or some judicious use of gold leaf or paint, gold screams glamor,' says Patrick O'Donnell, color consultant at Farrow & Ball. 

EDITOR'S PICK

Spella scented candle by Trudon at Net-A-Porter

Not only is this full of luxe scent notes like amber, sandalwood and vanilla but its wrapped in 24 karat hot gold. An easy and sensual way to nod to this trend while truly treating yourself.

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7. Convivial seating

Furniture designers have spotted the opportunity to bring people back together again, and this new era in furniture design sees a selection of seating options which are all about encouraging the art of in-person conversation. 

The Vis-à-Vis by Philippe Nigrofor Ligne Roset is a prime example. With its matt black lacquered frame and boldly blue upholstery, it is curvaceous, contemporary and offers two people the opportunity to sit separately, but with the feeling they are still next to each other.  'The shape of a curved sofa is softer and less formal," explains the French designer Julien Villenueve. '[They] create an enveloping environment where all the family can sit together.'

8. Minimaluxe

A pared back palette that allows the showcasing of your favorite things, minimaluxe is set to take over the design world. It's characterised by soft textures, shapes and colors, and a sense of airiness and light.

Of his apartment in New York, above, stylist Colin King says 'the window are deliberately left unadorned so the space doesn't look too "decorated."' And that desire for simplicity coupled with a space you want to curl up in with your most treasured objets is what minimaluxe is all about.

9. Pure white lamps

This new lighting trend is all about stripping out colour completely, emphasising shape instead. 'We love monochrome spaces,' says Chelsea Reale of design studio Sissy + Marley. 'Especially in smaller settings as it gives your eyes the chance to flow through the space without interruption.'

The 642 Visier Lamp, shown above, made out of aluminum and painted in a cool white hue, is a perfect example of this interior design trend. It is arguably not just a lamp, but a piece of sculpture too. Looking a little like it’s coming in to land (clear a space on that sideboard!), we reckon this is futuristic investment piece will stand the test of time.

10. Heritage tiles

Reclaimed or vintage-inspired, the archive patterned aesthetic is more popular than ever. 

Missing the Mediterranean? That's the joy of this heavily decorative approach to bathroom tile trends - you can bring a touch of it home. ‘Decorative tiles are perhaps the biggest trend at the moment as they give the opportunity to inject some creativity and personality to the room,’ says Richard Fox, a senior designer at Ripples. Referencing the antique tiles of Southern Spain, seek out  the patina and colors that reflecting those of original reclaimed tiles.  Use independently or pair with single color tiles for a more understated aesthetic.

11. Wall lights taking center stage

Superstar designer Tom Dixon recently told Livingetc about the importance of ‘light washing’, using bulbs cleverly to cover your walls in light rather than just beaming down on them from on high. 'Careful positioning of wall lighting is very important to create the right atmosphere,' says Katie McCrum, the interior designer behind London-based McCrum Studio.

And it isn't coincidence that wall lights are becoming ever more sculptural, scene stealing, sensational and stellar. First Laura Gonzalez was a true highlight (or should that be eye-level light?) at Paris Deco Off with her Bosphore ceramic wall lights, above.  Then brands like Contardi debuted sculptural wall lights that look like works of art. Wall light are now stars in their own right, just hanging a little lower than you might expect. See our edit of these perfect wall lights.

12. Contemporary curtain trims

It’s happening - we’re adopting curtain trims at Livingetc. Previously having been discounted as too trad, the brilliant Samuel and Sons has changed all that with its super-contemporary approach to tassels, adornments and finishing touches.  ‘I’m drawn to handcrafted details – whether it be an embroidered pattern, hand-quilted panels or even a scalloped leading edge on the drapes,’ says designer Julia King of Studio Roene.

The brand designs a whirl of iridescent hues that totally transform a room, and we’re drawn to the new Elora border, its swirls twisting up this curtain, adding a flash of unexpectedly modern decoration that elevate even the dullest corner. Trims! As a curtain trend! Who would have thought it?

13. Hideaway home offices

Hide the work day away with as smart WFH stations are now being disguised. To the unassuming eye they'll look like a drinks cabinet, or a writing bureau, or perhaps an armoire. But what they hide is all your work stresses and strains and papers and bits. 

High end design brands like Porada are creating them, and for a sleek, contemporary take on a classic bureau, the Davenport by David Irwin for Another Country is beautiful in its simplicity.  It is a complete home office in slices of pale solid oak furnished only with three surreptitious brass handles. Gone is the traditional angled front, adding enough space within for a computer screen, and inside you’ll find hidden compartments, a pin board, and cable storage. Plus, it doubles as a bar for after work drinks.   

14. Bold borders

There is clearly a decorative vibe in the air, as while trims are big news in curtains (see above), borders are back, adding accents to living room color trends.

And they’re no longer confined to lying horizontally across a wall, this time it’s a lot more free-spirited – think bending around woodwork or breaking up segments of space. Studio Atkinson’s first range of wallpaper borders comprises five modernised classic patterns ready to roam the room in vivid colors and unexpected scales.

15. Alfresco showering all year round

Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow debuted her home spa to the world earlier this year designers have been thinking of new ways to fold this feeling into decor. The materials, the textures, the steam rooms...and now, the return of the outdoor shower, for an invigorating blast first thing.

And there’s no need to miss a mere moment of warmth as bathroom trends join the season’s open-air lifestyle. C. P Hart’s Luminous Tiles are happy on walls inside and out, weather resistant and durable to suit the most inclement of summers. Their au-natural palette harmonises with backyard materials and colors, while their high-gloss finish accentuates every sunbeam. And to be practical: 'Copper and brass are the best material for outside use,' says Adam at CopperManCo, the shower design brand on Etsy.

16. Luxe outdoor lighting

As we all want to spend more and more time in our backyard, it's no wonder the trend for luxe lighting has come outside with us. “Outdoor lighting prevents our outside spaces seeming like dark black holes when viewed from inside the house,” says garden designer Kate Gould.

The Lucerna Lamp, a design by Luca Nichetto, is the latest outdoor accessory to adorn tabletops this summer, from the Italian outdoor design specialists Ethimo. But this is no ordinary outdoor garden lamp. It’s chic, it’s contemporary, and it’s fully on board with this ‘new luxury’ vibe - products which embody a little of both the past and the future, in their makeup. 

17. Wickerwork

Wickerwork is particularly useful when it comes to outdoor furniture. It has the home spun porch decor vibe we're all craving now, yet in a more elevated way. The Bohemian 72 Collection, was first designed - as the name infers - in 1972 by renowned Italian designer Gabriella Crespi. Her original designs have become synonymous with celebrity and now - if you can even find a piece - command seriously juicy prices (Google at your peril). 

However, now Gubi is teaming up with Archivo Crespi to put the collection back  into production. With a small edit of products to choose from, including the Lounge Chair, above, 3 Seater Sofa, Ottoman, and Lamp, each piece is constructed from the trunk of rattan and represents all that’s cool about 1970s wickerwork design. 

18. Irregular rugs

Irregular rugs are striking designs that undoubtedly have all been created to own the floor. Not only do these living room rugs have an eye-catching print,  they’re also all shaping a new outline in design, quite literally, as they all sport an unconventional shape. 'Now we are seeing a massive uptick in rugs of bright colors, especially abstracts and florals,' says Chris Bond, director of The Rug Retailer. 'Seems people have had enough of playing it safe.'

Whether you’re going curvy, geometric, or angular, these top sports all boast a little bit of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, and we’re ready to embrace it.

A particular favourite of ours is the Mala rug, seen above, by A Rum Fellow.

19. Plumped-up seating

Designers are demonstrating how a more relaxed style of seating designs can combine comfort factor and everyday practicality, but with high-level refinement and ultimate style-desirability. It’s the Italian makers who are leading the way with this look. Bontempi Casa, Edra and Arflex all embracing curves as the newest chair and sofa trend. 

Above is the Marenco Outdoor, a revised edition of the original Mario Marenco design, by Italian design brand Arflex. Available in an armchair, two-seater, three-seater and pouf, it’s a celebratory piece for Arflex as it marks 50 years since the first Marenco model hit the furniture design scene. And it would also look drop-dead gorgeous in living rooms too. 

20. Ocean hues

Echoing the reassuring color of the sea, aqua is set to be one of the hottest shades of the season. 'One of my favorite colors is blue in all his shades,' says Dirk Jan Kinet, a Flemish interior designer living in Mexico. 'I feel like a prince when been wrapped in Wedgwood blue but a cool lover in cobalt.' Opt in with larger pieces of furniture wrapped in oceanic tones, or hone in on smaller accessory items if you just want a cooling shot of blue-green brilliance. 

Named after the spiky perennial plant, the Yucca wallpaper design, above, from Sanderson offers a striking stripe pattern for walls. It is available in four tempting colorways – we are sold on the sky/green but there is also botanical green, grey/ silver, and charcoal/gold. Using special surface inks, the wallpapers shimmer in the light and offer eye-catching color for walls.

21. Night sky minerals

There’s a magical new material trend on the horizon and it’s awash with galaxy inspired finishes. Dark blue, veined with white and pale blue streaks is popping up everywhere, from this vanity unit, above, to luxury table tops.  Defying anyone not to leap out of their beds in the morning Marazzi’s show stopping vanity unit created in a ‘Sodalite Blu’ hue is a feat of engineering. The ceramic brand’s ‘Collection Grande Marble’ replicates the intricate qualities and veinings of marble using slimline porcelain, allowing for the grand impression of weighty slabs with efficient lightweight properties.

While teaming a deep blue Lapislazzuli marble top with an artistically forged bronzed brass base, Poliform’s Ilda side table is the essence of the rustic-luxe look we are all loving. It’s sold as a coffee table but don’t you think it’s jewelled navy hue inspires the perfect bedroom night-cap?

22. Contemporary Trompe L'oeil 

Meaning literally ‘deceive the eye’, trompe l’oeil is an artistic device or conceit that has been in the artistic landscape for centuries - part demonstration of an artist’s skill, part delight for the viewer. It adds a bit of unexpected humor to the home, a talking point that will make both you and guests marvel with amusement, something that folds nicely into current living room trends.

Bonaldo’s New Perspective Mirror, above, plays with depth and perspective, giving the illusion of a room beyond the mirror and leaving space for the imagination of the person standing before it. The lines that decorate it are drawn freehand directly on the reflective surface and naively re-produce an additional environment than the reflected one.

23. Arches

When we designed the Arch tile collection for Bert and May, we sensed that arches were just around the corner, so to speak. And it seems we were right. Arched doors have become big news in architecture trends for extensions and renovations, and the gentle curves are softening the hardened edges that have proliferated for so long.

"Harking back to Roman times, arches feel very contemporary all of a sudden," says Livingetc editor Pip Rich. "I'm excited to use our Livingetc tiles from Bert and May in my own bathroom renovation in 2023, as they add a grandeur while remaining friendly at the same time. You can't help but relax in a space with curved edges."

24. Colored concrete

Bathroom trends at the moment are very much about injecting personality while keeping to a monastic sense of spa-like serenity, which is where concrete comes in. The vivid hues it now comes in, coupled with the texture and depth it provides, makes it the perfect material for this space. ‘Adding color to enhance concrete’s appearance is gathering momentum as the next logical progression for the material,’ confirms Gus Colley, owner and MD of artisan concrete company Concreations.

In fact, colored concrete is having a moment more generally. Seen in kitchen sink trends, on the exterior of extensions and used on floors, it is becoming the design world's favorite material. Architect Ben Allen likes it for how robust it is. "Because the pigment runs all the way through, if it chips, the marks don't show up," he says. 

25. Cork flooring

Forget those 1970s connotations of orange cork tiles, cork flooring is back, and better than ever. Because of its eco credentials and the ease of sourcing it sustainably, it's actually one of the key flooring trends for 2022, available in a variety of hues. 'Cork always adds a note of warmth to a scheme,' says the interior designer Staffan Tollgard.

Cork has natural thermal properties which means it is great for heat insulation and can be a much cheaper alternative to underfloor heating. Which means that its eco points don't stop being collected at just the way it's made. ‘It means a reduction in energy usage and utility bills,’ says Silvi Stoyanova, consultant for flooring company Bricoflor. 

26. Portable table lamps

Let’s be honest, there never was much of an allure attached to the shelf tagged ‘USB lamp’ at the gadget store. Luckily tastes and technology has moved on from the sometimes gimmicky, most often uninspiring rechargeable lighting solutions into an exciting realm of stylish must-have new portable lamp designs by our favourite brands on the market, reinvigorating lighting trends for 2022.

“Without cables acting as a pesky anchor, it’s no surprise cordless lamps have grown in popularity,' says Pooky founder Rohan Black. "Perched on a kitchen shelf as a piece to admire, placed in the bathroom to create a moody members club feel, styled as part of a dining table spread or taken out to your patio as the evenings draw in - with our new ways of living portable lamps provide that much needed all-round flexibility. ” 

27. Red earth ceramics

With its inherent warmth, red clay makes for a surprising twist on the more commonly seen white ceramics. Often red or ‘brown’ ceramics are associated with more coarse pottery, but there’s a finesse to this new wave of earthy vases and pieces, and an altogether contemporary stylistic edge, which make them avant-garde. Look out for subtle curving forms, an unglazed finish, and an appealing handcrafted raw honesty, ideal to slot into your living room ideas.

28. Wavy wood

Kinked and curved, look out for the modern interpretation of the humblest of materials as a niche but appealing interior design trend for 2022. It’s a new wave. It’s time to banish straight-edged wooden furniture options in favour of the more fluid curvalicious form. 

Max Depret, director of homeware at Mauvais Garcon, says, “The 1970's influence we've seen in fashion runways lately has clearly translated into the interior world, and we are very much inclined to see curves and colours coming back into our homes imminently. From trinket trays, vases, pillow cases, or our wavy mirror, look out for these extra pieces to bring out some je ne sais quoi to your home!”. 

29. Glazed exterior tiles

Injecting a bright burst of colour that contrasts with traditional brickwork, glazed external tiles provide an eye-catching cladding solution for modern home extension ideas. This stylish finish comes with many practical benefits, too; it’s durable, requires little upkeep and offers an impressive service life of 150 plus years. 

‘Glazed exteriors are unexpected and joyful, breaking the norms of London house refurbishments,’ says Melissa Beasley, director at Beasley Dickson Architects. ‘They satisfy the demand for decorative facades, providing an opportunity for a unique, crafted and personalised exterior.’

30. Cocooning furniture

Where home decor trends are concerned, cool cocooning has been gaining pace for a while growing rapidly for 2022. Squishy sofa trends, curvy shapes and snuggly fabrics are hot right now.

“There has been a shift in what customers are looking for some time now - more ‘homely’ comfort seating with deep cushions and more curves generally - a place to lay down as much as to sit,' says James Mair, Founder of Viaduct.

"Comfort, cocooning and creating one’s own world whether it is La Dolce Vita of the Italians or the hygge of the Danes is a key theme."

31. Mediterranean good vibes

Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has been setting the style agenda for years. Cherry prints, gothic lace, and now blue and white good time vibes.

With its crisp yet classic color combination, Dolce & Gabbana's Blu Mediterraneo collection evokes the feeling of lazy summer holidays. Now you can enjoy it all year round thanks to pieces which make a statement but remain effortlessly chic. Take your pick from the beautifully crafted pieces including the Giacinto armchair, with  its dark stained oak legs and chrome feet, the stylish Atena coffee table and the metal structured  Era lamp set. Or simply take them all.