Design Trends for 2023
As a full-service interior design firm with relationships with vendors across the world, we often have first access to new collections and product lines that showcase or give a sneak peek into upcoming trends. While we know the benefit of curating from various sources, mixing highs and lows, and balancing old and new, we also know the importance of treading lightly when incorporating trends.
While trends are fun and it’s easy to be drawn to shiny new objects (we certainly know the feeling as we are bombarded by beautiful options every single day!), we also know that nothing dates a home more quickly than a timely trend.
Our approach to design is to select classic elements for the foundational items (i.e: the pieces that are expensive or more permanent) and then incorporate trends in more low-risk areas (think pillows, paint, decor, etc.).
When we work with our clients, it’s a delicate dance between interpreting their vision and bringing it to life with pieces they’ll love that will also withstand the test of time (some of our projects in our portfolio are YEARS old, but because we chose timeless foundational elements, you would never guess).
As we look ahead to the future of design, we are seeing some trends that clients are moving away from, as well as some trends clients are gravitating toward. The ones we’re highlighting in this article are NSN-designer-approved!
Project: Glenview Golf Course View | Service: Full Service Renovation, Furnishing Design, and Styling | Photos: Michael Kaskel
Project: Northfield Go Big or Go Home | Service: Full Service Renovation, Furnishing Design, and Styling | Photos: Michael Kaskel
A MOVE AWAY FROM OPEN FLOOR PLANS
We predict more clients will continue to move away from open floor plans and focus more on creating multi-functional spaces within each room. The aftereffects of the pandemic have made us look at our homes differently. Where once a living room was simply for entertaining, now it is for virtual classes and remote meetings for those who can learn and work remotely. And with many adult children living back at home due to rising home costs, everyone needs a little more privacy and quiet, something an open floor plan can’t provide.
A FOCUS ON THE PRIMARY BEDROOM DESIGN
We are seeing and believe we’ll continue to see a focus on the primary bedroom design taking priority over other spaces. With a renewed focus on home and family and increasing prices for travel and entertainment, people are seeking refuge in their homes. They want their bedrooms to be restful and luxurious, free from the overwhelm of the day-to-day and information coming at them from every angle.
Project: Lake Geneva Family Getaway | Service: Full Service Furnishing Design & Styling | Photos: Marta Xochilt Perez
Project: Lake Geneva Blue & White | Service: Full Service New Construction Design & Furnishing Design | Photos: Cynthia Lynn Kim | Styling: Charlotte Safavi
AN INVESTMENT IN FOREVER
We are seeing trends with clients taking a deeper look at what their homes need to do for them, now and in the future. Clients are interested in creating generational homes, homes their children and grandchildren will want to visit for years to come. They want to create experiences in their homes, the backdrop for lifetimes of core memories, and this goes all the way back to how we lived prior to the emergence of restaurants and such fast-paced lives.
There is also a growing mindfulness of what we bring into our home and how it will give back to our life. There is an awareness about choosing pieces that are sustainable and durable so you can invest in a high-quality piece and know it will withstand the test of kids, dogs, and anything you can spill on it.
A DESIRE FOR SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE
We are always the happiest when clients come to us and say, “We want something no one else has” and “We want BOLD and COLORFUL”.
When can we start? With the ability to customize and create anything we can dream up for a space, the sky is the limit when it comes to creating something completely one-of-a-kind that has never been done before.
We are seeing a trend of clients taking bigger risks with bolder colors, patterns, and materials and we believe this trend will continue to grow in popularity. Whether it’s mixing patterns and punchy colors, painting walls in one color from floor to ceiling, or mixing wallpapers in a single space, we are completely on board with this movement to showcase a client’s personality and lifestyle with interesting and unique elements.
Project: Warm & Welcoming in Winnetka | Service: Full Service Interior Design & Styling | Photos: Michael Kaskel
Project: Suns Out Stripes Out | Service: Full Service Design & Styling | Photographer: Dustin Halleck
A FOCUS ON “RESORT STYLE LIVING” AT HOME
With rising costs of travel and ongoing restrictions, we see many clients skipping expensive vacations and focusing on creating “resort-style” outdoor spaces for lounging, entertaining, and gathering at home. We agree it’s a great way to elevate everyday moments, ensure the kids always want to come home from college during breaks, and provide a beautiful backdrop for weekend festivities.
THE NORTH SHORE NEST DIFFERENCE
Helping our clients evaluate their homes and redesign them so they better support their lives is something we have been doing since our firm was born in 2004. We love being able to use our time-tested approach of thoughtful and functional design to ensure our clients make the right investments in their homes with every decision.
Whether you’re building from the ground up, tackling a large renovation, or furnishing a room or two, we’d love to connect to learn more about your project. Click here for more information about working together.
