Sometimes, it’s worth taking the quiet quitting route and slowly phasing out trends from your life before it’s too late (and you’re in deeper than you ever intended to go). I have every intention of disclosing which design trends are most likely on their way out for 2023, but first I have an important disclaimer to share: Context matters. Yes, trends come and go, but at the end of the day, taste is subjective, and there’s no room for the negative projections of others in spaces that make you feel safe, happy, and true to yourself—however the interiors are decorated. These days, the design cycle is less fleeting than a fast fashion garment: It’s a bit more challenging to chuck your Chesterfield sofa just because it’s not “in” this time next year. (If you wait long enough, I promise it’ll come back!) That being said, we do live in an incredibly fast-paced digital era where crazies become hyper-obsessions until they very quickly reach a peak, become oversaturated, and pass their prime.
The blob boom blew up on the internet this year, with delightfully nostalgic amorphous shapes gracing the pages of numerous AD issues. While a host of beautiful and timeless objects spawned from this trend, we do believe there will be a return to an appreciation of more structured forms. Other trends on their way out that we’re hoping will stay there: color-matched decor, for one (think: black-and-white photo clusters, or rainbow bookshelves). Others feel equally devoid of life—and perhaps are therefore dying—such as all-white or all-gray color schemes, and clean-counter kitchens. And don’t get me started on all the iconic designs that have been duped to death! Scroll down for the top 10 interior design trends we’re sending off (and hope you’ll consider quiet quitting) come 2023.
Blobby everything everywhere
Structure is in! While we love blobs, wiggles, and the childhood delight of curvy shapes reminiscent of elevated childhood Play-Doh creations, there’s something nice about pronounced lines bringing a bit of form into a room. This isn’t a cue to completely abandon all things blobby; it just means when there’s a craze for one, like a pendulum, we expect to see a rise in the other. Let’s cut it out with the boutique hotel vibes!
Squeaky clean kitchens
Under the same vein is the extremely modern minimalist kitchen, which you’ll often find in all-white or gray. There’s not a single bowl on the counter, and God forbid any eccentric marbling in the stone counter! Often, the cabinets will come in a high gloss polish, but certainly never a glossy appliance in sight. A terrifying place to cook. What are we here for? Think the antithesis, celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh’s country house kitchen, brimming with bowls, plants, and spices on every surface. It’s warm, homey, joyful, and welcoming—everything a kitchen should be.
Open floor plans
Earlier this year, we informed you that the open floor plan is not disappearing anytime soon. That being said, post-pandemic, the reality remains: If you’re living in a city with limited space and home is for work, sleep, and everything but the kitchen sink, then you want it to function as such (dividing our desks and pelotons—when possible—from our living rooms.) Not to mention, the most charming parts of the home are often the smallest spaces we turn into something cozy, like this perfect breakfast nook in Alex Bass’s West Village apartment. The original concept of the guest room might be dead, but that doesn’t mean you should stop compartmentalizing through physical spaces too. Boundaries are important, people!
All-white and gloomy greige interiors
Is it just me, or is everything suddenly starting to look like an RH catalog? The whole greige palette is unnecessarily exhausting: Any decor item you come across, if it’s not white or gray, it’s on its way! Yes, all-white can be sleek and minimalist, but just as often it feels devoid of any personality or fun. If you’re looking for a better interpretation of this aesthetic, try all-white with a subtle splash of color, like the kitchen in this Upper East Side apartment—it’s only one wall, but it brings a whole other dimension to the space. Not to mention how too much gray can really affect the mood of a room. You don’t want your space to feel like it gives off “nobody’s home” vibes, as we like to say.
Color-coordinated décor
From black-and-white photo clusters to color-coordinated bookshelves, this finicky and unnatural look still feels a bit more like a curated Pinterest page than the intimate rooms of someone’s actual home. You should be able to stick a new book on your shelf even if there’s only space in the pink section. Open your mind to all the possibilities for arranging things.