Even if smart home tech is your hobby or your business, it’s good to know what broader design trends might be affecting home renovations or design themes, especially if they create an opportunity for smart tech (more windows = motorized shade opportunities). With 2023 on the horizon, Houzz, the home renovation and design platform, has compiled its top 10 home design trend predictions for the coming year. With a community of more than 65 million homeowners and home design enthusiasts and more than 3 million residential construction and design professionals, Houzz has unique insights into how people are designing their homes. Here are their 10 Home Design Predictions for 2023:
- Natural Materials
Natural materials are always in style but lately they seem to have hit a high point in popularity. In particular, homeowners in the Houzz community are installing quartzite and other natural stone countertops, as well as marble tile and wood cabinets and vanities, especially white oak. Some designers on Houzz say the surge of interest in natural materials is a result of some homeowners rethinking manmade materials like engineered quartz that have dominated homes in recent years and instead gravitating to natural materials that add character and authenticity to a space.
- Curbless Showers with Continuous Flooring
Curbless showers have been a popular bathroom feature on Houzz for many years. Often the shower flooring material is a smaller size tile or a different material than the main flooring in order to provide an adequate nonslip surface in the wet area. But more recently, many designers are running that mosaic tile flooring continuously through the entire bathroom, including the curbless shower area. This approach further enhances the sleek, streamlined effect of a curbless shower design, extends the nonslip surface and helps a small space appear larger than it is.
- Bold-Contrast Bathrooms
All-white bathroom finishes continue to dominate homeowners’ choices. But in recent years some people have been inching toward hits of dark contrasting colors. Navy blue vanities have gained popularity — 7% of homeowners are installing blue vanities, according to our 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study — and some homeowners are taking a step further to the dark side with jet-black vanities and other black details set against crisp white backdrops. The white finishes keep things light and airy, while the black creates a touch of drama. Brass details and wood-look tile flooring help add warmth to this classic palette.
- Connections to the Outdoors (example)
For years, homeowners have craved deep connections to outdoor spaces, with 20% of homeowners making their kitchens more open to the outdoors post-renovation (source: 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study). Sliding glass doors that completely open interior spaces to outdoor areas are at the top of many dream features lists. But many pros on Houzz are helping homeowners find more affordable ways to bring the outdoors in. Adding large windows can maximize views to outdoor spaces and bring in tons of natural light in a less expensive way than fully glazed walls. Meanwhile, a focus on natural materials and colors, as well as wallpaper prints that recall nature, are also helping homeowners feel connected to the outdoors.
- Modern Rustic Living Rooms
In living rooms, we’re seeing that, among the Houzz community, demand for natural materials is leading to a modern rustic style that’s both rugged and cozy. Natural stone fireplaces and surrounds, wood beams, and off-white walls mix with comfortable furnishings in organic whites, browns and beiges to create an updated look that feels anchored to a rural past.
- Color, Color, Color
A renewed interest in bright and bold color is one of the most-reported trends we’re hearing from design and remodeling professionals. The shift away from mostly neutrals and whites is something many pros attribute to the pandemic. These days, homeowners seem more adventurous and willing to take a chance on creating brighter, more vibrant spaces.
Wallpaper is helping fuel the rush to color, with many homeowners using wild patterns and colors to add pop and personality. On Houzz, search trends show a rise in interest in wallpaper in 2022 compared with 2021. Searches were up for “paintable wallpaper” (93%), “chinoiserie wallpaper” (71%), “floral wallpaper” (52%), “ceiling wallpaper” (40%), “Art Deco wallpaper” (33%), and “dog wallpaper” (46%).
- Warm and Soft Kitchens
While pros say a desire for bold color is extending into some kitchens, many report that homeowners are asking for a warm and soft style that’s restful and relaxing. Think delicate greige or off-white cabinets, light woods, muted tile, subdued patterns, and warm bronze and brass finishes.
- Layers of Textures
One phrase that has come up again and again in conversations with design professionals from the Houzz community is “layered texture” in decor, wallpaper, materials, and accessories. Houzz is seeing a lot of designers layer wood, rattan, stone, metal finishes, concrete, and various textural fabrics in one room to create a dynamic style that’s full of visual and tactile interest.
- Playful Traditional Style
In light of many homeowners embracing bright color, wild wallpaper and layered looks, many pros are seeing a maximalist decor style take hold, specifically a perked-up traditional look that combines vintage pieces with lots of upbeat pattern and wall coverings. Think of it as a traditional style returning in a fun way. Some pros say supply chain issues during the pandemic helped spawn the trend by forcing homeowners to look locally for antiques and recycled, repurposed or reupholstered pieces with whimsical details and a pretty patina.
- Creative Island Seating
Casual seating is just one of many appeals of a kitchen island. While the traditional seating arrangement has typically been a row of stools on one side facing the cooking area, some homeowners on Houzz are seeking alternative setups to accommodate a variety of needs, such as the ability to sit face-to-face with guests or sit at a standard dining table height. As a result, a lot of islands now feature creative seating arrangements like two-tiered designs with seating for 10 people and dropped-down or raised-up areas for various needs.
