Back in November, we posted our predictions for the top nine interior design trends of 2023. And we were right. With the high cost of living and recent interest rate rises, homeowners are being more circumspect about what they spend their wages on, and that affects their interior decoration and renovation decisions. There ARE smart ways to cut renovation and construction costs - and in the long term, the results show that renovations hold their value - but it is apparent that homeowners are now more focused on investing in what makes them happy in their homes, rather than material, showy things. So, this week, we revisited those predictions and picked out which of the 2023 interior design trends we believe are your best investments.

What makes a good investment?

“Invest for the long haul. Don't get too greedy and don't get too scared.” This is one of my favourite quotes about investing, and I believe this advice also applies to what we invest in interior design.

Think about it this way. “Investing for the long haul” could refer to the longevity and durability of your choices, which in design terms corresponds not only to your monetary investment but to your investment in the planet as well. Practically speaking, this translates into investing in pieces that are sustainable and timeless and will complement your future schemes as well as your current design. Vintage furniture and antique rugs are good examples of pieces that don’t date.

Modern design is about investing in yourself rather than material things

“Don’t get too greedy,” unless you have the unlimited resources of Bill Gates. Sure, you can still splash out on that stunning “statement” or antique piece, but don’t be tempted to overspend on “stuff”. Trends change and a piece doesn’t need a hefty price tag to become a prized possession.

And finally, the best results involve some risk. The most successful interior design schemes are a fine balance between innovation and design elements and techniques that have been proven to be successful. "Don't get too scared", just make sure your risks are calculated.

How does this advice relate to our predictions?

Interestingly, the five trends we’ve selected intertwine to create the modern design schemes favoured by our younger generations. They are placing health, well-being and even their work conditions at the forefront of design and to our mind, their influences are:

1. Vintage – A style that adds an eclectic twist to modern schemes, preventing them from looking too contrived. In adding Vintage, antique pieces or even a family heirloom to a scheme, homeowners are bringing a sense of history and greater depth and texture to the most contemporary schemes. Flea market buys are also sustainable ways to design. The vintage look works well with Maximalist, Classic and Boho interior design schemes.
2. Nature – Exercising outdoors is beneficial to our health and well-being and we now want to bring those benefits inside. Water, pot plants, light, and natural finishes (such as wood and stone) connect us to nature and maintain a sense of calm in our environment, making it easier to switch off from external pressures. Natural elements work with any design scheme.
3. Sustainability - We are now sourcing materials and furniture pieces locally, repurposing, upcycling, and considering the modularity and longevity of our choices in terms of how they save our planet. “Sustainable decorating is about being kind to both people and the planet. It’s about using products that use minimal resources, items that last, or that can be reused, to make sure we leave the world in a healthy state and create less waste,” says Dr Helen Edwards. The employment of renewable resources such as wood and solar energy corresponds with our desire to maximise the benefits of the natural world on our health.
4. Mindfulness – We want to improve our health and well-being whilst being kind to the planet, and mindfulness in interior design is about creating a home that is minimalist in style, uses natural resources, discourages the distractions of technology, and is designed as a whole. “Spaces are conceived to be lived in, not to impress. It promotes introspection through distinct elements: from architectural composition, resulting in less physical and visual divisions, to decoration, which is intended to be essential elements that let us be in harmony with our surroundings,” says Connections by Finsa.
5. Global Influence – “In this worldwide phenomenon we are seeing a sense of freedom characterizing design coming out of Spain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Africa and the Middle East,” points out The Design Institute of San Diego. Think about the craze for Mediterranean courtyards, the influence of wooden latticework from Alhambra in Spain, and the wall and floor patterned tiles we are fitting into our bathrooms and kitchens. Borrowing styles from other cultures is as old as time. For some, these artefacts remind them of their travels, for others they are an acknowledgement of our small stature in the world, providing a sense of awe, wonder, and comfort.

In 2023, “Spaces are conceived to be lived in, not to impress”

In the wake of the pandemic, this year’s interior design trends are as much an investment in our health as our homes. Fortunately, most of these influences are neither expensive nor difficult to achieve, but they do require more planning, curation, and research.

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