With every year’s end comes the color of the year announcements. These well-researched spotlights from leading companies often pave the way for industry trends, especially interior design, and set the tone for our everyday lives. We’re already in full swing of the cycle for 2023, with many companies naming their colors and experts weighing in. Ahead, dive into the major themes and colors expected to dominate in 2023. (And if you’re eager for more predictions, look at the interior design trends for 2023 and kitchen and kitchen cabinetry trends for the new year!)
Vibrant Orange-y Reds
Benjamin Moore announced its 2023 Color of the Year as Raspberry Blush, a fiery red-orange that’s basically the best color in a really good sunset. The vivacious color marks a pull toward bold, warm hues. “We’ve had colors that are on the cooler side of the color wheel for a number of years, and now we’re really starting to see a shift to the warmer colors,” says Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore.
Bold Reds
Designer Sarah Stacey adds that red is primarily making a comeback. “Try pairing red accents, like dining chairs or smaller accent pieces, with neutrals to emphasize the color more,” Stacey says. This luscious red reading room designed by Kati Curtis features a lacquered finish, making the color pop even further.
Warm Neutrals
Warm neutrals embrace wellness and comfort. Not to mention, they can be incorporated into practically any design style. That’s exactly why Behr named Blank Canvas it’s Color of the Year for 2023. “White is the key to individual style simply because it’s so easy to change up,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. “It’s really simple to bring in other colors, textures, patterns, and materials to individualize this color.”
Brown Ochre
While you can cover a blank canvas with pops of color, you can also lean into neutrals. “We see a trend in 2023 toward warm, non-intrusive, neutral tones and materials, which provide comfort and security,” says Max Gansow, co-founder of Vesak. “Raw, organic materials, and tones such as brown ocher, which we showcase in our genuine bovine leather collection, offer a cozy-yet-modern grounding base.” Chad Wood designed this living room to prove that this color trend has staying power.
Softer Shades of Bold Colors
Soft colors promote tranquility. “Understated tones make it easier to create monochrome looks that evoke a sense of consistency and allow homeowners to choose which areas of the home they want to emphasize by drawing the eye to where there is color,” says Christine Marvin, chief marketing and experience officer at Marvin.
Beige-Blush
Light blue is always going to be a winner, but an earthier example of the above trend is Sherwin-Wiliams’s 2023 Color of the Year: Resend Point. The blush-beige color “lends to the macro trends we’re seeing around empathy and care culture,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. Here it is in a sipping room designed by Jean Liu.
Elemental Inspiration
Deeply saturated hues in the wild are on the rise and inspired by everything from tropical flowers to carbon. With this in mind, York Wallcoverings named Amber as its Color of the Year for 2023. “An organic gemstone made from tree resin, Amber is often associated with absorbing negative energy and releasing bright, soothing energy,” says Carol Miller, trend and color expert for York Wallcoverings. “When Amber catches the light, it emanates a sense of renewal, energy, and power.”
In a bedroom by French & French Interiors, plaster walls perfectly embody the warm yellow. The emerald green linen bedding and wood bed frame complete the cozy look.
Jewel Tones
Jewel tones create an elegant moodiness that designers expect to be sought after. “I love mixing jewel tones with spicier colors, like burnt orange, for an unexpected color-blocked look,” says Stacey.
“Aubergine is a big color this year, and I think it would make for a beautiful alternative to red,” adds designer Killy Scheer. “Pair it with creams and greens for an unexpected yet still traditional-leaning combination.”
Here, MasterBrand cabinets are coated in Sherwin-Williams’s Foxhall Green, which adds liveliness to the kitchen and makes the neutral accents stand out.
Versatility
A major color requirement for 2023 is versatility. Neutrals often possess this quality, but they don’t have to be the neutrals we’re used to seeing. They can have blush, yellow, purple, or blue undertones. “A neutral doesn’t necessarily have to be white, beige, or gray; it can be a color or have colorful undertones, such as pink,” says Wadden. “It’s all about how you use it in a space.” We’re loving the purple and clay tones in this gray room designed by Lauren Nelson.
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