Bold Beauty: Interior Design Trends 2023

Living room with white brick fireplace,  teal-tinged metal fireplace surround, green abstract artwork, teal retro club chairs, cream sectional sofa, organic-shaped stone coffee table, textured area rug, natural wood accents
Photo courtesy of Decorilla

Express yourself is the interior design trends anthem for 2023. Over the past few years, we’ve all learned to adapt our homes to a new normal, such as it is. Admittedly, most of us have spent more time at home than ever before. In turn, this has influenced how we look at our spaces both functionally and aesthetically. As lake lovers, we know we want to connect with nature, but we also continue to desire ethereal spaces that inspire personal wellness and tranquility. However, in 2023, something new has emerged—our fearless quest for individuality and the thrill of the unknown.

Now more than ever, people are willing to experiment. We’re seeing textured walls, bold colors, and layers of textiles in rebellion to the blank walls and beige palettes of yesterday. Natural finishes, organic forms, and sustainable furnishings are still going strong, but today we aspire to create highly personalized spaces that speak to who we are.

Timeless classics tempered with retro-vintage elements are still on the rise, as are Zen-like environments that inspire us to slow down, practice mindfulness, and improve our sense of well-being. The difference is that this year, we’re not afraid to take design risks. We’re infusing some drama into our spaces with darker hues, shades of noir, lavish curtains, vivid wallpapers, massive chandeliers, and sensuous sculptures. Today, we crave more excitement in our homes with an emphasis on meaningful interiors that genuinely express our sense of self and make us happy.

Power of Personality

entry foyer with canary yellow zig-zag stool, umbrellas, blue patterned wallpaper, hat collection, woven handbags, woven patterned rug, blue painted chest of drawers
Photo courtesy of Melanie Acevedo via Veranda

Since the pandemic, we’ve begun to crave more warmth and character in our personal spaces to bring a sense of coziness and comfort. There is a definitive shift away from the stark, picture-perfect minimalism of the past and a move toward rooms that better reflect the personalities of the inhabitants. People now aspire to decorate their homes with a bold sense of individuality. To achieve this, we’re incorporating personal collections, artwork, and a rich layering of color, pattern, and texture. Boring perfection is out, and creating spaces that make you smile is truly having a moment in 2023.  

Here, canary yellow accents pop against a brilliant blue patterned wallpaper and a painted chest of drawers. A charming hat collection combines with handbags and a natural woven rug to lend wonderful texture to this entry space.

Charismatic Color

Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year Raspberry Blush walls with ivory marble fireplace surround, woven bentwood-style retro chairs, red and white striped rug, black lamp
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

With the introduction of Benjamin Moore’s 2023 Color of the Year, Raspberry Blush, along with their Color Trends 2023 Palette, we see a creative mix of confident hues that encourage us to think beyond the traditional and experience vivacious color. “Never a backdrop,” says the well-known paint brand, “Raspberry Blush is the definition of charismatic color.” The dynamic collection invites us to discover the transformative power of paint, bring a sense of individuality to our spaces, and satisfy our desire to express ourselves through color.

Wine Walls

modern wine wall unit with floating cable racks and through-the-wall cooling system, adjacent white marble dining table with white lather chairs, built-in appliances, adjacent all-white living area with white leather sectional
Photo courtesy of Blue Grouse Wine Cellars

More and more homeowners are coming out of the wine cellar and displaying their wine collections like artwork. It’s a dynamic design idea that immediately adds an element of intrigue to your living or dining space. After all, your wine bottles are a beloved personal collection, so why not display them? It’s also the perfect solution for casual wine drinkers who don’t have extensive collections that require elaborate storage needs. This modern unit features floating cable racks and a through-the-wall cooling system. Offering function and beauty, this ethereal wine wall delivers the best of both worlds.    

Organic Forms

green decorative organic shaped planter vessel from L'objet, organic form
Photo courtesy of L’objet

Our connection to nature and preference for organic shapes and materials continues to gain traction long after the pandemic. We still love curvaceous forms that bring movement and a graceful fluidity into our homes. Earth tones and organic shapes bring a sense of comfort to our interior spaces. Plus, our use of natural materials—stone, metal, marble, and wood—creates a rustic yet refined elegance that defines modern living today. These elements create a pleasing textural juxtaposition when paired with soft textiles made of natural fibers. Imperfect forms undulating with bumps, curves, and bulges mirror those found in nature and satisfy the soul.

Earthy Elegance

Living room with earthy elegance in finishes made of metal fireplace surround, wood slatted ceiling, stone coffee table, glass, leather sectional, plush area rug, abstract artwork
Photo courtesy of One Kindesign

With our growing desire to connect with nature, our lake home interiors continue to reflect this pursuit with natural materials becoming the core focus. Textural layers of pine, oak, and other rustic woods combine with lustrous metals, stone, and glass. Complement the look with sumptuous layers of natural textiles. Think luxurious leathers, warm wools, cool cottons, and wonderful wovens that lend visual and textural softness.

This airy living space offers the perfect balance of rustic woods and refined furnishings to create a sense of warmth, coziness, and modern sophistication. Mood-altering lighting features, abstract artwork, and area rugs that echo the artwork’s hues contribute to the tranquil vibe of the room. Plus, the focal-point fireplace / TV wall provides the ideal gathering spot for entertaining friends and family at the lake.

Pleasing Purity

Pleasing purity living space with clean linear forms, curvy organic-shaped chair, stone fireplace, wood ceiling beams. marble kitchen wall, views of the water
Photo courtesy of Decorilla

While we love curvy, organic shapes, we also hold dearly to clean lines, natural décor, and calming neutral palettes. This look has an unmistakable purity that gives us a sense of order and security. In 2023, we are striking a beautiful balance between meaningful décor and a neat, streamlined aesthetic.

In this living space, linear forms mix with softer, more sculptural pieces to create a satisfying counterbalance that resonates with inner peace and serenity. Natural surfaces and textiles fortify our desire to connect with nature while providing visual warmth and textural diversity. Here, an alluring mix of metal, marble, stone, and unstained wood harmonizes with the natural landscape to create an elegant, seamless flow.  

Oversize Pendants & Cozy Dining

Dining space with oversize pendant light, waterfront lake view, round dining table, cozy dining space, 8 chairs, area rug
Photo courtesy of Home Bunch

Bold lighting solutions pack a powerful punch in 2023. Relating our furnishings to the scale, proportion, and size of the space is a fundamental design principle that always reveals aesthetically pleasing results. Oversized lighting choices have become increasingly popular, emerging as a focal-point accent piece that deserves attention. Massive lighting fixtures tend to complement grandiose spaces and create a pleasant balance as well as a wow factor. So, when in doubt, go big and go bold to give your rooms a modern edge and a design-savvy style.

The return of the designated dining room is also trending in 2023. As we seek out cozier spaces throughout our homes, we’re returning to intimate dining areas that induce conversation and a sense of connectedness with our guests. Even amidst an open floor plan, homeowners are carving out nooks, niches, and enclosed corners in which to dine.

Marble Drama

modern kitchen with dark gray marble with white veining that covers island surface, countertops, backsplash, and range hood. Wood cabinetry and timber joinery on island, dramatic, dark, moody vibe
Photo courtesy of Sharyn Cairns via Dwell

With our desire for more dramatic spaces, many homeowners are opting for bold marble statement pieces in their kitchens. Use marble with unique veining styles and richer colors to create a strong focal point. When paired with beautiful woods and timber joinery, it generates a powerful impact that emanates a dark and moody vibe.

Here, the rich marble slabs are repeated in the island, countertops, backsplash, and range hood for a unified, ultra-modern aesthetic.  

For more design inspiration and top trends from the experts, visit House Beautiful. From all of us at Lake Homes Lifestyles—here’s wishing you and yours a dynamic and expressive 2023!

Jeanne Delathouder

I was born in Chicago, raised in the Midwest, and studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Iowa. I was quickly immersed in Southern culture when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and became a writer and editor for Southern Accents Magazine at Time Warner. The lavish interiors and grand architecture of the region inspired me to study interior design while working as
an editor.
Today I am a lifestyle journalist, editor, brand strategist, and communications specialist with more than 25 years of experience managing and producing content for magazines, books, digital, television, and sales/marketing/PR assets. My diverse career history illustrates a proven track record of my ability to work collaboratively with editors and art directors, write creatively on a multitude of topics, implement projects, manage relationships, write with a mission, connect with a multitude of consumers, and effectively translate research outcomes into compelling content that drives action. I am an adaptable communicator and brand ambassador with specialties that include creative storytelling, content marketing, and project management.