Houzz shares 10 top 2023 home trends

While pros say a desire for bold color extends into some kitchens, many report that a lot of homeowners are asking for a warm and soft style that’s restful and relaxing.

Photo By Houzz/Kirby Home Designs, Bryan Lee Builds, Sarah Strunk (photographer)

In the past few years, there has been a surge in remodeling activity. And while 2022 saw challenges with continuing supply chain disruptions and rising inflation, most respondents in the Closets & Organized Storage magazine 2022 State of the Industry survey said they expected 2022 sales to be better than 2021. Although sales revenue for 2023 is expected to moderate, many respondents still anticipate a positive sales environment, with homeowners still looking to remodel. 

As to what those remodeling designs and demands in the coming year will look like, Houzz, a community of over 65 million homeowners and home design enthusiasts and more than 3 million residential construction and design professionals, recently released insights into how people are designing their homes. Top trends were in natural materials, bright and bold colors, textures, creative island seating and more.

When asked what’s driving those trends, Mitchell Parker, senior editor at Houzz, said, “Many factors affect what homes look like at any given time. Some trends are timeless but ebb and flow throughout the years, such as a desire for classic materials like wood and natural stone that we’re seeing experience a particular resurgence. Others are a bit harder to pin down, but it’s no secret that the pandemic and supply chain issues have influenced homeowner preferences.”

Following are Houzz's 10 home design predictions expected to trend in 2023:

Nested Interior Design; photographer Dominick Barbero

1. Natural materials

Natural materials are always in style, but lately, they seem to have hit a high point in popularity. 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. 

Shaddock Caldwell Builders & Developers, Real Photo Texas

2. 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 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. 

Haven Design and Construction, Matthew Niemann Photography

3. 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. 

Jackson Design and Remodeling

4. Connections to the outdoors

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. 

Swanson Homes (builder), Carbon 6 Interiors, Spacecrafting Photography

5. 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. 

Andrea Schumacher Interiors, Roger Davies (photographer)

6. 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%).

Kirby Home Designs, Bryan Lee Builds, Sarah Strunk (photographer)

7. Warm and soft kitchens

While pros say a desire for bold color is extending into some kitchens, many report that a lot of 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. 

Tamar Daniel Design

8. 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. We’re 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. 

Vic Wahby (photographer)

9. 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. 

Vic Wahby (photographer)

10. 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, we’re seeing a lot of islands with creative seating arrangements like two-tiered designs with seating for 10 people and dropped-down or raised-up areas for various needs.

For more information, visit houzz.com.
 

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About the author
Michaelle Bradford | Editor

Michaelle Bradford, CCI Media, is Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine and Woodworking Network editor. She has more than 20 years of experience covering the woodworking and design industry, including visits to custom cabinet shops, closet firms and design studios throughout North America. As Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine under the Woodworking Network brand, Michaelle’s responsibilities include writing, editing, and coordinating editorial content as well as managing annual design competitions like the Top Shelf Design Awards. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media.