Online home furnishings retailer Furniture And Choice has shared their top nine trends for 2023 in the furniture industry.
Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk), explores at areas including biophilic design, wellbeing, Japandi, a move towards broken plan living, browns and greens, smart homes, multi-functional furniture and escapism.
1. Biophilic design
In 2023, expect to see a few key interior trends bring a soothing touch to our homes. Biophilic design, which is all about incorporating nature into our homes through design, has shown that it can make us healthier and more productive. Focus on calming elements such as letting more natural light in, prioritising natural materials and greenery into our spaces. Biophilic design blurs the boundary between the indoors and outdoors and connects us to our surroundings.
Besides the core elements of biophilic design, get inspired by natural shapes and forms such as curves or circles. Soften the room with curved furniture like round tables or sofas for a cosy and comforting appearance. It also adds an updated spin on retro furniture shapes such as mid-century design. Another subtle way to highlight biophilic design is by introducing arches through chic alcoves, cabinets or hallways which add a natural flow to the interior. The curves break up the straight lines and make the room feel more spacious.
2. Broken plan living
With people spending more time at home, whether it’s for work or relaxation, we’ve seen a rise in broken plan living. Loosely based around open plan design, broken plan living is all about creating distinct zones to give our spaces more purpose. While an open plan brings people closer (due to the lack of walls), it also lacks privacy and warmth if the open areas aren’t styled properly.
There are many options to divide your space. Install Crittall doors or partitions for a way to create a separate room while letting the light continue to flow. Open shelving units work similarly – use a bookshelf as a room divider and fill it with a variety of greenery for a fresh and open look. Even a couple of tall, leafy potted plants can help zone an area and give it some privacy without closing off the space completely.
3. Wellbeing
With many of us staying in more than we used to, it’s only natural that interior design will gravitate towards making our homes feel like sanctuaries. Start by paying attention to what makes you feel good at home such as by choosing a calming colour palette for each room and incorporating natural materials into your decor. Make your space feel more inviting with curved accents such as a round dining table or curved sofa as it will make it easier for people to gather round and conversation to flow. Complete the look with indoor plants and personal touches like artwork or a unique souvenir from your travels.
4. Japandi
Japandi is a trend we’ve seen gain popularity every year. A style rooted in minimalism, Japandi uses natural materials and soothing neutral tones to create a zen-like retreat from daily stresses. Begin with a calming colour scheme of whites, greys and browns, with black accents for contrast. Use a mix of light and dark wood to bring warmth and organic texture to your home – for example, pair a natural oak dining table with dark wooden chairs for a rich, contrasting effect. You can also introduce fluted panels or wood slats on a feature wall (or a piece of furniture) to add texture and detail.
Japandi furniture is all about clean lines and simplicity in design. Look for modern styles in low profiles – like a low bed and side tables – to create that sense of openness found in Japanese design. Combine this with Hygge touches like soft organic cotton or linen textiles.
5. Brown
In 2023, we predict the return of brown to give our homes a sense of calm and comfort after a couple of tumultuous years. Tied to other soothing interior design trends like biophilic design and Japandi, brown can be used as a modern neutral to ground the room and let other colours stand out. On your walls, try light brown paint that’s similar to taupe for a cosiness that would work well in the bedroom or living room. Or use a warm brown with a tinge of golden orange so the overall effect isn’t too dark – style it with contemporary, light coloured furniture for a fresh and chic look.
In furniture, we’ll see browns ranging from light caramel tones to dark chocolate brown and rich dark woods across a variety of décor styles. For example, a tan leather sofa or a walnut dining set with black legs could form a modern industrial look. If you prefer a classic, formal style then set the tone with a dark brown leather Chesterfield sofa or a grand pedestal dining table in dark wood paired with elegant fabric chairs.
6. Smart homes
Smart homes have become less of a novelty and more of the norm as we’re increasingly using technology to make our lives easier. Adopt tech-savvy conveniences like a wireless charging dock for your smartphone or automated curtains that open and close at your preferred times. With voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Home now mainstream, connect them to your other smart appliances like a television or refrigerator to make everyday usage more intuitive.
There’s also more smart furniture available on the market, and in sleek modern designs too. For ultimate relaxation, choose an electric recliner. While some models need to be plugged in and others work on a chargeable battery, they all let you recline and relax with the touch of a button. As self-care and health have gained more attention, standing desks have also become more popular – adjust their height to suit your sitting or standing preference for better ergonomics while you work.
7. Multi-functional furniture
As our interiors continue to be multitasking spaces, we can expect to see multifunctional furniture as a rising trend in 2023. For instance, if you work from home, opt for a dining table that doubles up for tasks and meals at different times of the day. If you have the space, consider a dining table that you can extend when guests come over or if your tasks need the extra surface area. Meanwhile, in a compact kitchen-diner, you can utilise your kitchen breakfast bar as a makeshift work from home space and a place for meals.
There are also some double duty designs that might appeal to the Netflix generation. For a luxurious lie-in while bingeing your favourite shows, choose a TV bed – as the television is concealed when not in use, it also helps keep your bedroom looking neat and tidy. In the living room, you could opt for a sofa bed for lounging while watching TV, instead of sitting on a sofa.
8. Green
Green’s association with peace, nature and relaxation serves as a refreshing replacement for muted neutral shades at home. For example, a light green shade such as sage on the walls will help set the mood for resting whether it’s in the bedroom or living room. On the other hand, opting for a deep forest green shade invites the outdoors in and anchors the room with its vibrancy.
If you’re going for a green sofa in your living room, it’s best to decide what shade of green you’re going for and what upholstery works best. Dark shades of green work well with leather or velvet while softer greens are a better match with lighter fabrics. You can also introduce green through smaller pieces in the home such as a sideboard or footstool. Green also provides a solid base for accessorising – aside from natural textures such as wood or clay, it is a grounding contrast for luxe finishes such as gold or brass.
9. Escapism
After the chaos and confusion of uncertain times, escapist decor is all about creating spaces in our homes to retreat, heal and be experimental with our interiors. Creating a staycation element in your home is one popular way to make it feel like an escape from your daily life. Start by dedicating a corner in your home for relaxation and wellbeing. Choose a calming wall colour to set the mood and add a personal touch by showcasing items from your travels for that holiday feeling. You can even create this space outdoors with a patio area in the garden decorated with natural materials such as rattan and lots of greenery.
Instead of clean lines, choose bold curves such as a sculptural coffee table or pedestal inspired by the round shapes we often find in nature. Aside from that, texture is another key escapist decor element. Jazz up your space with textured wallpaper or matt stone flooring finishes to add an imaginative touch to the home.
