Design 2023 — Here’s What to Expect

Every year brings new predictions when it comes to home design, but for 2023, those predictions are much more bold than usual — literally!

Bold colors are in, say several experts, with the return of rich, dramatic color palettes. Find dark blues, saturated greens and reds on walls, ceilings and accent pieces if you want to go bold, but not too bold. Solidifying the trend is Benjamin Moore’s pick for its 2023 color of the year — Raspberry Blush 2008-30, a deep orange color kissed by hints of pink. Pantone’s pick of the year is also a bold tone — Viva Magenta, a powerful crimson red that works well with warm and cool tones.

Having colors that play well with both warm and cool tones is also important for 2023 as the decade of gray is coming to an end. Warm beige and light taupe tans are making their way back into modern homes, particularly with flooring. Look for cabinets and furniture in warm woods. And because of the move toward warm tones, gold is increasingly being used for faucets and fixtures.

Designers are injecting bold colors into a room with statement walls, which are also popular this year. But statement walls aren’t limited to just paint. You can see examples of textured walls — brick, raised wood patterns and even tile — in magazines and model homes. While popular in bedrooms, statement walls are making their way to home offices, as well, providing interest during video calls.

Kitchen design is also undergoing a revolution, one that began in 2022, and that revolution revolves around contrast. Kitchen island cabinetry is being painted with dark colors to contrast with the creamy colors of wall cabinets. Another trend is to have all of the bottom cabinets — both along the wall and the island — to be one color (or a wood tone rather than paint) and upper cabinetry a different color. Another kitchen design trend is the use of stone slabs. Ultra-durable quartzite is the counter of choice these days, with dark, textured slabs a popular choice. Slabs are also being used for backsplashes as designers bid adieu to rectangular tiles and grout.

Amidst all of these bold colors, you’ll also find nature themes, with the use of shades of green, minerals and the desert. Raw, unfinished textures also point to nature. Renewable materials like cotton, wool, bamboo and cork are also being used more as interior designers embrace sustainability.

Beyond interior design, watch for changes in the design of homes. Dedicated dining rooms are appearing in larger floor plans, with a space carved out of the great room and defined with different color or textured walls. Still open to the common area, it puts guests out of sight of the kitchen and creates a more intimate gathering space. Also watch for intentional spaces for activities such as meditation, exercise and crafting as builders and designers become more mindful of the relationship between a home and the health and happiness of its inhabitants.

Magazines are brimming with examples of these and other trending concepts, but to immerse yourself in a room’s design and see how the colors, textures and other elements make you feel, your best bet is to visit a model home. Woodforest has 21 professionally decorated model homes — several of them new — that are open seven days a week. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Stop by and see what design inspires you!