Spring into the New Year with a New Design Strategy

​What’s new after 2022?

Granted, some styles are here to stay. Whether we call them “retro” or “classic” is immaterial; they invoke sentimental feelings and become lovable staples in home interiors.

But every year, designers focus on what they believe might be trending, and these are worth consideration – if for nothing else, it’s a creative exercise in updating and customizing the space where you spend much of your time.
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Color palettes are always a key concept in design, and for 2023, experts are pulling back on gray. It comes and goes over the decades, but apparently we’re seeing it move on in favor of something more basic and warm. Paint and furnishings will be palatable in warm-ish white, ivory, or camel. Which is sort of retro. But we’ll get to that. 

Ultimately your environment is personal; expressing your signature design statement may initiate with an “expert” idea, and drawing on that is inspiring.

Here’s what else these gurus of style have to say:

• Try bold color on walls. Navy, green, plum, and aubergine reflect a rich, robust way to brand a living space. Easy to design around, these darker tones invite creativity in furnishings and accessories, and that can be a ton of fun.
  
  
• Or primary colors! A careful composite of neutral tans, black, and ivory tones simplify any room, giving it that livability factor for extra comfort.
  
  
• As long as you’re leaning dark, consider stained wood cabinetry and woodwork. It’s rustic and nature-influenced, and embellishes a living space or bedroom with personality.
  
  
• Dress up these darker walls with classic plaids or other iconic patterns, including vintage paisley (for traditional motifs) or radius circles (if you won’t budge from contemporary). Their distinctive aesthetic goes toe-to-toe with dynamic woodwork, toning down the expectation of furniture pieces.
  
  
• Shoot for multi-generational appeal. Choose from the iconic collection of retro and vintage fare and pair it with newcomers in interior design. Couches with clean lines were once verboten as partners with vintage rugs, but with attention to detail in the rest of a space, they can mix splendidly.
  
  
• Bold patterns in limewash and plaster might be making a comeback if design experts are right. They can be permeating if you aren’t conservative with surrounding materials and accents, so go slow.
  
  
• Everyone’s into earthy essence. Nature seeps into classic spaces now, with botanical wallpaper, furnishings made of exotic woods, and even a generous use of artificial greenery and flora. Key to incorporating this ethereal aesthetic is to not overpower with dominant accessories.
  
  
• Make it shine. High-gloss finishes are growing on designers, creating an interesting effect to furniture and even woodworked wall elements. Lacquer adds an automatic lift that grabs attention.
  
  

There’s no shortage of source material to snoop out your own preferred version of what’s new this year. Consult with a pro interior designer, talented friends, or yours truly to come up with a way to refresh your environment. Often it requires a paltry investment – but feel free to go all out if it’s a mood-lifter.

Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash