7 home design trends to follow in 2023

“Your house is your home, and it should reflect those that live within”, says Sydney-based interior designer Liz Hayward, founder of Hayward & Co. 

In 2023, designers are moving towards a warmer palette and a more layered approach to interiors, to make your home a sanctuary from the outside world.

Here are seven interior design trends that will define 2023.

1. Make your home more resilient

A slew of natural disasters impacted Aussie households in the past few years – from flooding to bushfires.

As a result, homeowners are more eager than ever to incorporate upgrades that will improve the weather-resilience of their properties. Upgrades might include:

• installing robust mesh screens to exposed windows and doors to help prevent an ember attack in bushfires and reduce radiant heat, and
• integrating protective outdoor storage to combat flying debris in the event of high winds and storms.

If you’re planning on building or renovating this year, engage an architect or building designer who can advise you on how best to future-proof your home, so it becomes more resilient. [1]

2. Design your home as an expression of self

One of the biggest trends this year is using the home as an expression of self. “I think there's a move away from that glossy magazine home that people might have previously strived towards” says Hayward.

“Now, when I'm meeting with clients, it's at the forefront for us to work on something that is unique, character-filled and represents their family and lifestyle”, she continues.

This has been mainly driven by three factors:

• an emphasis on comfort,
• the idea of building the look of a home over time, and
• a greater sense of confidence among people when it comes to defining their personal style.

3. Use colours to create warmth

It’s time to leave white on white, washed-out greys behind and say hello to a warmer colour palette. According to Hayward, “we're moving away from those fifty shades of grey and monochromatic combinations of black and white, and towards more neutral tones and warmer hues”.

Earthy shades are all having a moment as people seek to establish a more contented, cosier feel to their homes. The trending colours are:

• terracotta
• sage green
• muted brown
• soft beige

4. Embrace texture

The movement away from minimalism continues, with many designers leaning towards a more textured, layered approach to interiors to create a welcoming environment.

Using a mix of tactile elements - from unfinished raw timber to textured textiles and polished stone floors helps create this layered effect in a room.

5. Build atmosphere and ambiance with lighting

When it comes to lighting, homeowners are beginning to embrace ambience. While down lights have been the dominant trend for years, people are introducing other lighting elements to build atmosphere.

According to Liz Hayward, “Having more lamps in a room, from table lamps to pendant lights, adds layers of illumination and brings warmth to the space”.

6. Don’t be afraid of sculpture

According to Hayward, sculpture is the fastest growing interior trends in 2023.

Instead of moving away from traditional prints, paints or artwork, add dimensional texture to your home interior by:

• hanging a sculptural piece as a wall hanging,
• adding standing sculptures to key areas of the room, or
• displaying three-dimensional art on shelves and coffee tables.

7. Consider sustainability in all design choices

Sustainability in interior design is an emerging trend, but also a concept without a clear definition. For some, it might mean refurbishing vintage items, for others, trying to source materials with fewer travel miles.

“More and more, clients are asking where a certain piece comes from or if it’s ethically sourced.   Overall, the social consciousness of sustainability is growing” says Hayward.

Learn more about Home & Contents Insurance

Read more:

• How much should I insure my home for?
• Tips to reduce your home insurance premium
• What does GIO Home and Contents Insurance cover?

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Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.