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Every year, we challenge ourselves (and each other) to predict design trends for the year ahead. For us, rolling out the annual trend forecast is purely done for fun. But there’s a certain level of uncertainty in making educated guesses about what will be in and out when all you really have to go off is a gut feeling—it’s sort of like making a bingo card with your eyes closed while an audience watches your every move. I’m still convinced that 2022 was the Year of the Shower, but maybe 2023 will be the year of the sunken bathtub? Will our interiors be infected with a paisley print resurgence? Circle back and find out in the next ten days.
My inbox is currently cluttered with EOY trend reports and recaps, and all my feeds are clogged with even more unsolicited suggestions from brands about curating our interiors. No offense to the experts, but why should we only care about what the industry thinks when our own points of view are just as valuable? So this time around, I thought it would be more interesting to propose a list of design trends that we want to see shine in 2023. The Year of the (Water) Rabbit is all about longevity, peace, prosperity, and hope. Based on that vague information, I’m under the impression that the vibe will be shifting in our favor. Scroll down to find out our design trends forecast for 2023.
Kitschy kitchens
There’s always a new kitchen trend ready to make its mark, but have you ever considered playing into a theme that ties it all together? Those of us that grew up during the real Y2K era will recall how the Tuscan kitchen style had suburban homes in a chokehold. (Contrary to what our mothers believed, their take on the aesthetic was 100% giving “Welcome to Olive Garden. When you’re here, you’re family” vibes.) The kitchen is the ideal space to really lean into kitsch because it’s a hub for creativity—and having a sense of humor feeds the soul. The heart of the home shouldn’t be so sterile.
From animal sculptures to food-themed serve-ware, tacky eye candy is officially on the menu. Something as simple as a spice village collection taking up counter space, rooster tiles on the floor, or a bread lamp mounted on the wall will make this zone feel contemporary and modern. A burst of color also brightens the room, so keep an open mind about appliances and fixtures. If you prefer a more traditional style, take design notes from the Lisbon home of Pedro Espírito Santo where a kitchen is filled with items that remind him of his heritage: The 19th-century sideboard features a row of tea canisters, and a 19th-century Italian porcelain figure is placed on the marble island. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don’t let anyone yuck your yum as far as taste is concerned. Have your fake cake and eat it too!
Dressed up decor
The concept of homewares is taking on a whole new meaning with wearable pieces for your furniture and home decor. The designer Camella Ehlke reminded us that slipcovers don’t have to make you cringe. All it takes is a little imagination, and a bunch of overstock fabrics and recycled garments, for your furniture to pull off the look. I can’t be the only one who thinks there’s something sexy about a skirted sink—it brings an air of mystery to any vanity tucked into a space that begs for discretion.
Of course, this add-on isn’t just reserved for sinks. You can fit pretty much anything into a skirt. For example, inside the kitchen of a home in Portugal designed by Jean-Philippe Demeyer, Frank Ver Elst, and Jean-Paul Dewever, an antique table’s extra storage space is tastefully concealed by patchwork curtains. I’m also living for the return of tented beds because some of us don’t have enough square footage to tent an entire room, but still deserve an escape from the chaos. As for the table, Gohar World even made a case for serving drama with their lace bottle aprons. Surely, you’ve considered buying designer knitwear for your hot water bottle at least once?
Don’t dismiss the doily
I’m fully convinced that doilies are going to make a comeback, especially with the coquette aesthetic on the rise. (You’re only a few steps away from being your own American Girl doll!) Those of you that don’t identify as grandmillennials—or zillennials—are probably writing this off with a big eye roll, but hear me out: We’re all craving more intimacy these days, and with that desire comes the natural attraction to elements of femininity.
The doily is a lost art form, and what I appreciate about this traditional textile is how it adds a layer of delicateness to any surface. If you or your guests have resisted using coasters, perhaps a set of doilies would be a more welcome alternative. (Did you know that doilies originally served the function of fancy napkins?) Everyone has their own special way of creating a nurturing environment that makes them feel safe and comfortable. It truly doesn’t get more domestic than this.
An unhinged fantasy of medieval times
As we recently informed you, Middle Ages Modern is about to take center stage. Personally speaking, I enjoyed the #Renaissancecore trend in 2019, so I’m very down to revive artisanal aesthetics from the medieval era like metalwork, darker woods, jewel tones, stone fixtures, immersive tapestries, ornate detailing, and some serious shadow play. This emergence speaks to our universal longing for “rawness and permanence, protection, and perhaps a bit of escapism.” (I live for a period piece theme!) If brutalism is too rigid for you and mid-century modern feels too masculine, then MAM might be the aesthetic you’ve been waiting for. In the words of A History of Frogs, we’re being called to spread “more magic, more emotion, more imagination.”
Quieter interiors with a subtle touch of intensity
Before you get worked up, maximalism isn’t going anywhere—we’re just toning down the noise in favor of softer aesthetics that exclaim “Serenity now!” in the face of overstimulation. (Hopefully, you understand this Seinfeld reference.) The 2022 color palette was dominated by earthy neutrals: Shades of brown, green, and burnt orange were given a new lease on life through the lens of ’70s inspired decor. Our response to these “deeply disturbing times” was retreating to a cozy environment where lounging in style is the top priority.
The colors of the year for 2023 have been all over the place from the warmer hues of Pantone’s Viva Magenta and Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush to the more muted tones of Behr’s Blank Canvas and Sherwin-Williams’s Redened Point. The embrace of quiet interiors is about setting a mood that commands the room without trying too hard in the process. Instead of shouting “Look at me!” to anyone who will give you their attention, the cohesiveness of your interiors boldly makes the statement “… and what about it?” in the voice of Ariana Grande.
Miniature furniture, big impact
Maybe you can’t afford the full-size version for your apartment, but don’t let that stop you from having a piece of design history on a smaller scale. Though miniatures have been trendy for quite some time, now you can lean into the dollhouse experience without going full Barbiecore. For the past 20 years, Vitra has offered a Miniatures collection of replicas to celebrate milestones in furniture design. (Their price ranges from $245 to $1,160.) Elsewhere, you can find similar pieces on Etsy.
The Togo sofa has tragically been duped to death, but this tiny version created by the Los Angeles–based artist Christine Mai Nguyen is sure to impress without costing you a small fortune. (Her ceramic sofa stash-and-indacouch is sitting at the top of my wish list, and I can’t get enough of the shelf space that she curated for this set up.) If you have pets, this is the perfect opportunity to make a mini pet room complete with functional miniature furniture—cats are currently crushing this category, and the DIY projects are even more satisfying. Maybe I’ve been watching too many Sylvaniandrama videos on TikTok, but the point still stands!
Welcome to the (modern) farmhouse
Whatever feelings you have about #cottagecore, there’s no denying the appeal of the modern farmhouse. Instead of fantasizing about a country chic lifestyle that you might never have, why not be more intentional about how you’re bringing those rustic elements into your space and make the aesthetic your own? Kai Avent-deLeon’s charming upstate property is a prime example with its adobe-inspired features like cement floors, exposed wood beams, and Andersen windows that are enhanced with minimalist furniture and meaningful objects from her travels to Kenya, Ghana, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
Of course, there’s a full spectrum of farmhouse styles from Beverly Kerzner’s upstate compound to Demi Lovato’s trippy house in Los Angeles at your service for interior design inspiration–another recent favorite is the Georgian Colonial home of John Carlyle. For a more toned down approach, take cues from heritage brands like MacKenzie-Childs with their classic checkerboard pieces that look like they belong in a farmhouse, but can fit in just about anywhere. I don’t know about you, but my 2023 calendar is already booked with sourcing trips for vintage treasures at flea markets and antique shows.
Talk is… sheep
Speaking of farms, something we’ve been noticing lately at AD is the appearance of sheep in home tours. I can’t explain why this is happening, but it just is. Of course, their presence isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon—interior designers have been flocking toward the work of François-Xavier Lalanne and his surreal sheep sculptures since the 1960s—but these days the domesticated mammal seems to have found new appeal amongst a different demographic. Perhaps we can blame it on the pandemic-induced bouclé boom?
My colleague Rachel Davies suspects that people are drawn to the texture of these quirky but refined objects because they are an extreme representation of comfort at all costs. Last week, Christie’s New York broke a new record with a $77 million Les Lalanne auction sale—it’s officially the “highest-ever design sale in Christie’s history” and included 18 works from the duo. I almost forgot to mention that the sheep is also a Kris Jenner–approved accessory in case that holds any significance for you. (Lalanne sculptures can be found roaming around her garden as well.) In a way, the sheep is the grown up version of the oversized stuffed giraffe that became a bougie baby staple in 2021. Whereas the giraffe is a symbol of childlike wonder, the sheep commands “pure fun.”
Eggs without the basket
Egg cups, egg chandeliers, egg trinkets, egg dresses…. The egg is having a moment! (As I was writing this, I found out that hard-boiled egg girls are apparently trending now? No comment.) Considering the popularity of chicken coops during the pandemic, all those eggs have to go somewhere, so why not proudly put them on display? Debbie would approve. If you do want to put all your eggs in a basket though, my suggestion would be this. (In case you missed it, follow this DIY tutorial to learn how to build your own chicken coop.)
Folklore figures
This is the part where I make a case for gnomes, mushrooms, and all the other mythical motifs of this genre. Main character energy is still very much in the air, which calls for controlling your narrative—in the design world this translates to curating a dream space where all your fantasies come true. Studio Shamshiri executed this perfectly with a Haas Brothers mushroom sculpture surrounded by Dosa poufs in a corner of Shulamit Nazarian’s house in Los Angeles. Another striking example can be spotted inside this eclectic home designed by AD100 firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero where pairs of gnome and tree trunk tables by Philippe Star for Kartell bring the living room to life like a playground.
Life is a journey full of adventures, plot twists, and detours. As we continue to find new escapes into nature as a coping strategy to endure, we often turn to imagery from fables and fairy tales that came long before us. These whimsical objects serve as a tool to honor our inner child and embody a sense of wholesomeness. But remember, there’s a fine line between fairytale and feral.
