HOME DESIGN TRENDS Nod to Nature

WELCOMING HOME DESIGN TRENDS THAT MIX THE OLD AND NEW WITH THE BEAUTY AND WARMTH OF NATURAL MATERIALS AND BOLD

OPTIMISTIC COLORS

by ALLISON POLLOCK-PUGH

Each spring, new flower buds emerge from the long-dormant earth, basking the world in color and sparking feelings of renewal, change and fresh starts. Spring is nature’s gentle way of shaking us awake after a period of hibernation—inspiring and energizing us with longer days and more sunlight. While some opt for traditional spring cleaning, others embrace the nudge offered by the season change and choose to rejuvenate their living spaces.

The prospect of design updates often brings visions of the family and friends you’ll host and the memories you’ll make in your new space. As you start researching design trends, it’s easy to get lost down the neverending Pinterest rabbit hole. The countless options and opinions can quickly become overwhelming, causing major decision paralysis. You want your space to feel like it belongs in this decade (or century), but trends can be fleeting, and any significant changes need to withstand the test of time.

Your home is a personal space—it should be a calm and comforting place that considers your lifestyle and reflects what you like. Connecting with the earth and bringing a feeling of groundedness into your home is reflected in the home design trends this year. People are seeking stability and peace within their homes, reaching for warm neutrals with pops of rich colors, natural materials and versatile pieces that make you feel safe, comfortable and inspired.

A place we often start when considering a home redesign is colors—and not just paint. Wallpaper with bold patterns and textures add visual interest to a myriad of surfaces throughout the house. Colors affect our mood, emotions and energy level, making them an important factor in aesthetic and overall vibe.

While neutrals have a timeless appeal, people are ditching the cool white and gray colors for creamy earth tones that give off a homey feeling and warmer brown shades that anchor the space and make us feel more grounded. Sherwin Williams’ announced their color of the year as Redend Point (SW 9081)), a romantic warm neutral that embodies all things cozy and tranquil.

MOSSY AND DEEP SHADES OF GREEN ARE ALMOST CONSIDERED NEUTRAL FOR THEIR VERSATILITY.

Paired with creamier neutrals are bold colors that elicit a desired emotion from the space. Soothing greens, deep blues and rich berry hues are taking center stage in 2023. Benjamin Moore chose a vibrant red-orange called Raspberry Blush (2008-30) as their color of the year for 2023—this bold and refreshing hue energizes a room for maximum impact. Mossy and deep shades of green are almost considered neutral for their versatility—used to upgrade furniture and décor or make a bold wall color while balancing a room.

Bringing natural elements into your home means embracing the inconsistencies, imperfections and unique beauty in raw, natural materials. Cookie-cutter design pieces from big-box stores made from synthetic materials are being replaced with a newfound (or renewed) appreciation for durable, long-lasting organic materials. Meaningfully investing in a few masterfully crafted pieces built for longevity is being more highly valued as people want a story or connection to the items they keep in their homes.

One of the most beautiful and often underappreciated design materials is front and center: natural wood. Furniture and design elements crafted from light- or mid-toned woods that lovingly embrace the natural artistry of high-contrast grains add warmth and texture to a room. Think 1960’s and 1970’s rich mahogany end tables or dark oak shelving. Even natural wood cabinets are making a comeback, mingling with natural stone to create a mixed material kitchen. Integrate other wood touches with wooden-legged chairs, swap out picture frames for wood versions, or display that one-of-a-kind wood carving you found in your grandma’s basement.