by Blake Herzog
We’re living in hopeful but complicated times as we enter a new year, so our preferences and desires can be a little contradictory at times.
Our competing needs for soothing and stimulation have created some odd bedfellows in the trend forecasts for living rooms in 2023, but when you put them together they create some intriguing combinations that bring a thoroughly modern feel.
If you’re ready to shake things up in your home’s most defining room, consider how mashing up these trends could give it a totally fresh look!
Neutrals with a hint of warmth
The one thing most prognosticators seem to agree on is that neutrals, which have never really gone out of style, will play a big role in 2023 as we seek out calming shades to mediate and relax within.
We’ll want to reproduce a spa-like atmosphere at home while favoring mellow, earthy tones on the neutral spectrum like peach, cream, mushroom, burnt orange and gold, mixed with textured whites, grays and charcoals.
Sofas or chairs in bold primary colors
Once we set the scene with these neutrals it’s time to pick out furniture, and while we’re at it we might as well go big. Crayola-esque reds, blues, yellows and oranges will act as exclamation points, adding drama and personality to your home’s heart while glowing like jewels against the more subdued shades. q
Screens of deception
In the pursuit of a calm, meditative space some homeowners are banishing the TV set from their living room, while others who aren’t able to go quite that far are turning to the latest technology for television concealment.
A “hidden lift” TV cabinet lets you pull it up like a rabbit from a hat, while wall-mounted sets could be concealed by a cabinet disguised as a painting or a set of images that can be folded back.
Globally inspired prints and textures
So much international travel has been curtailed over the last few years, and those who haven’t been able to continue the journey, for whatever reason, have been incorporating patterns from all the continents with the possible exception of Antarctica.
Many of these fit into the emphasis on neutrals but many more do not, affording a riot of color and complexity as wall hangings, textiles and more.
Rattan furniture and accents
The simple, organic warmth of this purely natural material has for most of its existence been consigned to the backyard but is now finding a home inside homes as a lovely yet unassuming choice for seating, side tables, floor mats, baskets and grand yet homey decorative flourishes.
Cutting-edge wallpaper
This classic wall treatment has been edging its way back into being on-trend and is expected to continue into 2023 as it’s used to give depth to recessed shelves, add artistic or photographic murals and even across ceilings to bring added color and texture to any room.
