Interior trends for 2023: what to expect next year

There’s no question that protecting our environment remains a key issue as we head into a new year. This was clearly visible at the international trade fair Light + Building Autumn Edition 2022, where numerous exhibitors showcased designs made from eco-friendly materials. Zero-waste production methods and avoiding plastic are no longer considered optional or “nice-to-have”, but rather the mandatory standard. One interior trend for 2023 we found particularly inspiring: furniture and decor that consists solely of natural, biodegradable resources. Italian manufacturer Krill Design, for example, used discarded orange peels to construct the 3d-printed lamp “Ohmie”.

In the Future Institute’s Home Report, efforts like these are grouped together under the umbrella term “Radical Materials” – radical in the sense that they leave no room for compromises when it comes to preserving our planet.  

With the growing demand for sustainable alternatives, experts anticipate another eco-conscious interior design trend in 2023. Moving away from “fast furniture“ and short-lived products, we will see more and more solutions that are part of a circular system. This includes not only recycling and upcycling – it also extends to lending, exchanging, or even renting second-hand furniture pieces. The Future Institute calls the new sharing economy a „Re-loved Revolution“.  

One of the biggest challenges throughout the next years will undoubtedly be our energy expenditure – and how we can minimise it at every turn. Future buildings have to offer a maximum degree of efficiency, allowing us to enjoy a high quality of life without wasting valuable resources. In the long run, private homes could become completely self-sufficient and generate enough energy by themselves to run an entire household. New builds already function independently from fossil fuels, relying on solar panels and other renewable resources. Thus, the turn toward “Radical Materials” informs the work of designers as much as planners and builders. Just like the eco-friendly interior trends for 2023, so-called “green architecture” can take many shapes and forms – it might even come straight out of a 3D printer.    

How can we make daily routines more convenient while wasting fewer resources at the same time? New technologies offer plenty of answers to this question. Smart gadgets and features will continue to gain momentum throughout the next couple of years. At the IFA Berlin trade fair in September 2022, we got a glimpse into how interior trends of 2023 will intersect with AI appliances (short for artificial intelligence). A Smart Home not only helps us save energy: it can take over tedious chores, create a feel-good atmosphere, and protect us against unwanted intruders or outbreaks of fire. KNX thereby provides the universal standard for connected building technology. Based on either a cabled or wireless network, you can integrate an endless variety of functions and devices – even from different manufacturers.