2023 Design Trends We’re Loving

A new year equals new inspiration—

—and we’re loving the direction we’re seeing design take us in 2023. There’s a clear return to bolder, more statement-making moments and personality-packed elements with an organic and textural quality. Here are some of our favorites and how Shea and the design team are utilizing them in our latest Studio McGee projects.

No. 01 | Statement Stone

No. 02 | Maximalism

No. 03 | Romance & Nostalgia

No. 04 | Rich & Moody Tones

No. 05 | All Things Grandpa

No. 06 | Pattern on Pattern

No. 01 | Statement Stone

We love good veining and deep contrast in stone, and we’re excited to see more of this trend in 2023. We’ll see this in a variety of ways, from the stone itself— less common ones like soapstone and travertine, as well as contrasting pairings of stone in one space—to the way it’s utilized—a countertop carried up the back as the backsplash with a continual ledge, as seen in the kitchen below. It’s all about maximalism, a design trend in and of itself.

No. 02 | Maximalism

As we mentioned, if there’s a word that encapsulates the design trends of 2023, it’s big. Maximalism is where things are headed, to what degree you take that is up to you. It can be heavy patterning, from the wallpaper to the drapes to the rugs to the upholstery, or highly saturated colors occupying a smaller space. You can also lean into maximalism in your shelf styling by curating a clustered grouping of collected, found, repurposed, and vintage objects. Bold, playful gestures and curiosity cabinets, a little House of Hackney and a whole lot of Dorothy Draper.

No. 03 | Romance & Nostalgia

This trend is ushering in a softer, more collected palette and can be seen expressed in so many different ways. Overall, there’s a return to more traditional design, with trends like “Coastal Grandma” and “Grandmillenial” taking over social media. There’s homage being paid through design moments like vintage plate walls, wooden kitchen hutches, time-honored prints and patterns, gilded accents, and thrifted pieces with a story attached. Florals and soft curves abound, and other more fanciful materials like fringe, reeded glass, scallops, tufts, and contrasting piping.

No. 04 | Rich & Moody Tones

Pantone chose “Viva Magenta” as their color of the year which tells you everything you need to know about this trend. We’re loving seeing jewel tones return to interior design, along with deeper, more saturated colors, and dark, moody spaces. These rich tones are making their way into metals as well, through lacquered finishes, pewter, and the patina of antiqued brass.

No. 05 | All Things Grandpa

Move over Coastal Grandma, grandpas are making a splash. Some call it Country Club Grandpa, others say Grandpa Chic, whatever your preferred TikTok phrase is, we’re loving this sophisticated, old-school aesthetic. It’s a little Ralph Lauren and a little Steve McQueen, mahogany meets worn-in leather. We like to think this design trend embodies the way Leonardo DiCaprio felt on the Titanic—Ivy League, upper-crust prep, you get the idea, and we’re here for every gloriously plaid moment of it.

 

No. 06 | Pattern on Pattern

The past few years of design have showcased a pared-down aesthetic, from the tonal, earthy interiors of Tulum to Scandinavian Minimalism to Japandi where art, nature, and simplicity reign supreme. And don’t get us wrong, we still love a clean, white wall, but we’re invigorated by the pattern play that is becoming mainstream again in 2023. Once reserved for a poppy powder bath, now over-the-top wallpaper is making its way into larger, and more communal, spaces. But don’t think you have to paper your living room to lean into this trend. You can play with pattern in much smaller ways, like a new kitchen backsplash, a stacked toss pillow display on a sofa or bed, or a layered tablescape with a large format floral print plate under a striped smaller plate and a small, delicate floral print on the tablecloth.