Along with mid-century-inspired curved furniture, the brown tones of this period are also poised to make a major comeback in 2023. This natural color—particularly its darker varieties—creates a sense of earthy stability, says Claire Druga, an interior designer based in New York City.
Warm and Calming Neutrals
“In the living room, we are seeing warm, calming blues, peach-pinks, and sophisticated neutrals like sable, mushroom, and ecru—these are really catching my eye for 2023,” she says.
This may be a surprise to many, but we are expecting more dark wood tones to pop up in homes in 2023! Last year we saw a lot of DIY bleached furniture and light wood floors.
Colorful, Pattern Furnishings. People won't be afraid to go bold in 2023, Rohr notes. "There's also a large number of people wanting to go more out-of-the-norm pieces," she comments. "Many clients are not afraid of color, and are open to creating more impactful interiors.
Top designer Nate Berkus puts it this way, “Brown furniture – like traditional brown, antique furniture – is 100% back. And I think that's great because it's been undervalued for a really long time”. Berkus also goes on to talk about how he prefers a more classic look that can stand the test of time.
Brown wood furniture is a hot trend in 2023 for many because it evokes a new sense of warm and security. It also brings the often-fleeting, natural world into our homes. This is especially appealing in these uncertain times. If you love brown wood and its lustrous quality already, I don't need to say anything more.
“Brown is a classic, timeless, and neutral color, and it works so well with other colors,” Catherine Staples of Aspen & Ivy says. “Chocolate brown sofas, especially dark ones, are practical and neutral. Brown sofas warm up an all-white room, and we know how popular white walls are.”
Here, designers, decorators, and color experts reveal why beige is replacing gray for 2023, and how to decorate with beige for a beautiful scheme every time.
The verdict is in: Paint color experts have revealed the color trends we can expect to see less of this year, and what hues will take their place as 2023 progresses. The latest color trends predict that muted, gray, and pastel tones are dropping off in favor of brighter shades.
Though nature still continues to inspire color trends into 2023, Pressman interestingly points out there's increasing interest in "more earthbound natural shades linked to craft." In particular, shades of warm brown that are reminiscent of different types of woods, minerals, and even jewels.
Light Brown
Milk chocolate never looked as delectable as it does in the Milan home of Paolo Castellarin and Didier Bonnin. Forget gray; brown is 2023's new neutral. In fact, all varieties of this cozy shade are appearing in the color forecasting tea leaves.
Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris are the color names for 2023. Who chooses the names of the new colors? Names are selected by the WGSN and Coloro color team, before being verified by our in-house Equality Vision Team to ensure a proper translation on a global scale.
The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration...
Welcome to the world of Apricot Crush! The official color of the year 2024 was announced by the experts at WGSN and Coloro back in 2022.
Muted shades of terracotta, green, yellow, and plum will be popular choices for wall paint, furniture, and home decor, predicts Bast. “These colors are warm and natural-looking and they provide a great contrast to the wood tones we have seen returning to cabinetry and furniture,” she adds.
Overall, the chromatic trend for Autumn-Winter 2023/2024 presents great comebacks and confirmations, with a palette that ranges from red to gray, yellow to brown, and pink. Even the most delicate and subtle shades will have their space, inviting experimentation and rediscovery of classic nuances in an original key.
Vintage Interior Design
Whether it's a classic mid-century modern piece or a vintage-inspired color palette, this design style effortlessly withstands the test of time, making it a perennial favorite for those seeking enduring elegance and character in their homes.
From earthy shades to rich caramel hues, brown is a go-to neutral for decorating in 2023. As color trends shift away from the cool grays and whites that have dominated the past decade, warmer shades are at home once again—and one cozy color is making a comeback.
As a minimalist favorite, brown is upstaging black in fashion shows for 2022. For example, the Chloé Autumn–Winter 2021 collection featured a range of brown tones in celebration of this hue.
Speaking of accent walls, these will continue to be a top interior design trend for 2023. While many of us automatically think of using paint to create an accent wall, there are countless other options to make a wall a visually interesting focal point.
First, paint walls a pale neutral, then choose artwork, accessories, and accent furniture in lighter or colorful hues to balance the darkness of the furniture. Light gray walls, white trim, and cream-colored accents keep the couch from feeling too heavy.
If you want timeless furniture, go for a timeless color. Yes, a color! A blue, yellow, or black sofa will be a lot more timeless than the popular gray. The gray sofas of today are just the brown leather sofas of 10 years ago.
Brown is a versatile choice for living room or dining room furniture, as it can take on many different moods. Depending on what it is paired with, a room anchored by brown upholstery or wood can be warm and enveloping, earthy and natural, elegant and sophisticated, or full-on glam.