Our 6 favourite 2023 design trends

3rd February 2023Rachel.McCarty Share:

It’s hard to believe that 2023 is already well under way! With every new year comes a new swathe of design trends and predictions. We’ve browsed Pinterest, read the magazines, and we’ve narrowed down the list. Here are our 6 favourite 2023 design trends, from 70s curves to paper lighting.

1. Dopamine decor

We have always loved bright colours here at Rex London, and our home furnishings are no different! A big design trend for 2023 is bold decor to brighten and refresh your home. As House Beautiful’s Suzy Chiazzari (Colour and Design Consultant) says: “Dopamine décor can be interpreted as using colour, pattern and tactile furnishings in your home as a way to make you feel happier… You might start off small – by introducing a print here and a coloured piece of furniture there, or you might fully commit to vivid colours, such as zesty yellows, punchy pinks, and brilliant blues to dress homes and evoke feelings of happiness.”

Bright cushions on a dark green sofa with colourful glass candle holders

The Joyful Home collection, featuring cushions, throws and glass candle holders

2. Sunset hues

Reds, pinks and oranges are all going to be big colours this year, with burnt orange in particular predicted to be popular.

Burnt Orange LED hurricane lantern, £19.95

Double-ended burnt orange glass candle holder, £6.95

Viva Magenta

Viva Magenta has been named as Pantone’s 2023 colour of the year, well in line with the dopamine decor trend. It’s a strong choice for interiors, so rather than committing to a whole wall, or a pair of floor-length curtains, simply add a pop of colour with a cushion, throw or other small item.

Pink velvet pom-pom cushion, £19.95

3. Retro design

Vintage style is back big time, and, happily, retro design is our speciality here at Rex. 70s decor in particular continues to be popular with features such as curved design, natural materials and playful prints.

Red retro alarm clock, £12.95

Large coral seagrass basket, £24.95

The retro trend has been growing in popularity in recent years and even spawned a new design name last year; newstalgia. Woman & Home explains that “This new emerging trend is all about celebrating designs of bygone eras but giving them a contemporary twist – so it's not about creating an entirely retro look, it's about making retro designs work for a more modern aesthetic.”

Passata storage tins, £8.95

4. Sustainable shopping

Sustainability will continue to be an important factor in consumer choices. We’re proud to offer a range of stylish homeware and accessories made from recycled materials, as well as chic alternatives to single-use items, such as water bottles.

Our original jumbo bags are made from 90% recycled plastic materials. Strong, spacious and stylish, they can be found in millions of homes around the world.

Ladybird jumbo bag, £5.95

5. Comfortcore

Who doesn’t love a design trend that’s based around comfort? We are increasingly wanting our homes to be cosy havens, as the perfect escape from the outside world. The best thing about this trend is that you don’t need to commit to a certain colour or pattern. You can simply do whatever you personally find turns your home into a sanctuary, and it will be different for everyone. Commenting on the trend, Jessica Risko Smith of Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design says: “I think comfortcore is the interior design version of our casual joggers in fashion, both a bit of a response to ‘work from home' trends sparked from recent Covid shutdowns, and also a strong desire to slow things down a touch and be more at ease in our homes”.

Large coral herringbone throw, £39.95

6. Paper lighting

Vogue’s Athena Calderone says “I am seeing a resurgence in lighting made from paper, fabric, or silk with a soft, ambient glow.” A simple lampshade in a bold design makes for a unique finishing touch to any room of the house. Our collection of paper lampshades is made up of 12 unique designs, and cost just £4.95 each.