2023 design trends

2023 is set to be the year of breaking free.

As cases continue to go down and as many get vaccinated against COVID-19, the pandemic may soon become a thing of the past. As we burst out of our pandemic-induced captivity, much change is anticipated to happen in the upcoming year.

In the world of design, 2023 is believed to bring about wild palettes, bold choices and unusual elements to our homes. Here are the design trends that are predicted to emerge in the upcoming year.

More personalized designs

Vibrant colors manifest a fresh start in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As many of us spent the past few years cooped up in our homes or recovering in hospitals, traditional white tones may already feel too clinical for our tastes.

Color is set to make a splash on our domestic spaces, with stand-out hues such as red and orange seen to dominate our living areas. Blue and green may feel somewhat safer for those looking for more subdued palettes. Striking wallpaper prints may also make more appearances this year, especially in renovation projects involving bedrooms and other private spaces.

A return to handicrafts

Handicraft furniture are set to become popular in 2023.

Custom-made furniture is predicted to become popular this coming 2023. With people looking toward more personalized designs, many are ditching mass-produced items for those that evoke a more human touch. This means that you better start looking toward the provinces again for exceptional handicrafts like rattan chairs and solid wood cabinets.

A call for vintage pieces and upcycling

Vintage items are also set to make a comeback. With people getting more into sustainability and reuse, upcycling is predicted to become a norm for our pieces worn out by heavy handling.

If you’re into DIY, it will only take some YouTube videos and creative hands to repurpose those old windows or ladders. Otherwise, head to your nearest second-hand or antiques shop to score some finds with fascinating stories included with their purchase.

A penchant for decorative lighting

Brick walls can provide accent to an otherwise plain room palette.

With people moving toward bold and eclectic design, light fixtures are predicted to become display items as well. Bare light bulbs and fluorescent lights are out. Accent lights, chandeliers and cove lights are in. People want the play of shadows and lights in their homes. LED lights remain the preferred light sources due to their more sustainable origins and longer lifespans.

Demand for low- maintenance materials

Due to our experience with viral transmissions, many of us have become more meticulous with cleaning and scrubbing our homes. As constant house maintenance requires time, however, many of us tend to look for self-cleaning and easy to clean surfaces when renovating our homes.

Thankfully, these options are now easily available, even when it comes to fabrics and wall coverings. Materials such as leather and canvas remain the easiest to wipe off, but those looking for more natural looks can settle with linen- or cotton-blended fabrics for their upholstery and curtain needs.

Textured surfaces are in

Plastered wall provides a subdued tinge of texture in an otherwise plain room.

While it takes a bold homeowner to splash on some striking paint, you can also achieve a strong visual impact with textured surfaces. Plaster remains a practical and accessible material on walls and ceilings. Add some aggregates, a talented painter and a dash of creativity and voila! You can have a textured plaster finish without the heavy costs or hard upkeep.

For those wishing the au naturel look, it’s wise to go with stone and brick finishes. These are timeless pieces that never go out of style and can inject some personality into an otherwise austere home.

Indoor plants are evolving

A string of succulent plants can give your home a fresh look in the upcoming new year.

With health and wellness on everyone’s minds these past few years, it’s no wonder why many of our homes have become mini-forests. As many plantitos and plantitas would claim, greenery is good for the soul and the lungs.

This kind of gardening, however, is slowly evolving to include less popular greens such as the Alocasia Black Velvet, String of Succulents and Philodendron Imperial Red. The money tree and birds of paradise, meanwhile, are set to remain in traditional Filipino homes. Succulents are also becoming more in-demand for those who lack the green thumb but have a biophilic heart.

A bright outlook ahead

Overall, 2023 is the year of new beginnings for many of us, as we all hope to leave COVID-19 and quarantines in the past. Our renewed zest for life is expected to translate to our domestic spaces through the use of bright colors and bold combinations.

Hopefully, this 2023 will also mark a resurgence of the Philippine handicraft industry which will definitely help our country rise from the effects of the pandemic. With these trends in mind, let us all welcome the New Year with a bang (and if we’re lucky, with a new fabulous find from Dapitan Arcade or Cubao).

Sources: https://www.architecturaldigest.com; https://www.veranda.com; Anna Nekrashevich, Rumeysa Akbas, Liana Horodetska, Solomon Soh and Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels.com