It’s officially 2023, and with new beginnings comes new inspiration to rejuvenate your outlook — and your home. Sally Medicke, owner of Raleigh-based Tres Belle Designs, is constantly looking for the next hot thing for the Triangle real estate market. As she looks toward the ever-changing styles of the market, she says it’s the perfect time to breathe new life into your home and give it an update.
Gone are the days of the farmhouse look. Today’s interior design is modern, but warm. As Medicke styles homes that are on the market or just sold, she says she’s excited about the direction the Triangle is headed. The following five trends are the ones to watch for 2023.
Warmer colors are heading into homes
Medicke said it was the stay-at-home COVID-19 lockdowns that began to change what people wanted in their homes. “People were sitting at home staring at white walls,” she said. While white walls are still in, it also made them think about incorporating warmer colors into their style. “I see more taupe. I see more terra-cottas. I see browns and caramels. Some people are also painting some of the moody colors in rooms. There’s so much green.”
In addition to color, wood tones are warming up the tone of homes, she explained. While medium, darker tones and the deep espressos of the past are gone, she said it’s lighter woods like white oak that are popular. “You see a lot of graining in the wood, and you see a ton of light wood. It’s starting to creep up into the caramel and the brown tones and you see a lot of the wood veining.”
Medicke is also using gold and brass to add warmth to distinct places in the home. “Younger buyers are liking brighter brasses,” she said. “You see it in a lot of the hardware, in the lighting, in the accessories, and it looks really great. Gold is in everything, too, and I think that’s to warm up the colors.”
Medicke also said homes are being warmed up with artwork and fabrics. “I designed a Parade home for Speight Built and we did the white walls, but we used a lot of terra- cotta art, and some sage green with some browns,” she added. “People really liked it.”
Modern lighting makes a statement
Lighting fixtures are changing homes significantly thanks to new styles that are upping the lighting market. “Lighting is really modern,” she said. “People are using a lot of rattan fixtures and rattan pieces. It goes back to that natural warming, layering, accessorizing and even light fixtures, which are so cool. Rattan mixed with brass is cool, and having that wood grain go in, it really lightens things up.”
Interesting shapes and tones for lighting are popular as well. “You see a lot of spheres; you see a lot of the brass in the lighting. You can mix it with blacks. People are mixing stuff with silvers. I think people are adding more spectacular lighting, but it has more of a modern spin to it.”
Spaces are changing to become more specialized to buyers’ desires
Medicke said small elements with big impact have made their way into homes. “I think people are adding architectural elements. Beams are really big. Arches are really coming back, which I thought was really kind of surprising.”
While homes are still open, she said she’s seeing buyers reimagine spaces for designated spaces like exercise rooms, meditation rooms, craft rooms, sewing rooms and more.
She also added that people want more specialized detailing in their homes, and suggested buyers explore The Painted Tree in Cary for personalized design features that are what she calls elegant, cool, modern and personal. “People have a lot more special things in their house; they’re not afraid to show it. They really appreciate sustainable things and homemade things. The Painted Tree has a lot of those items.
Modern meets organic for a distinct design
The cold, stainless steel look that used to be all the rage in kitchens has been replaced with clean lines, bold patterns and movement in stone.
“I still see quartz. And I see stone coming up to the back of the cabinets,” she said. Waterfall edges, where a countertops flows seamlessly up the wall or into a backsplash, will be big in 2023, she said. “They want clean-line sinks. They just want things more functional.”
Medicke said overall, buyers are gravitating toward a mid-century modern design. This style, which boomed between 1945 and 1969, is characterized by clean lines and open floorplans accented with organic materials. Boho style, which typically mixes patterns, materials, and unique cultural elements, merges well with mid-century modern design and is an inspiration for 2023 as well.
“There are some really cool materials you can do with stoves and appliances,” she added. Big in 2023 will be contemporary enameled appliances. Gold knobs, brass accents, simple lines, stone, light woods and visible grains in wood create an organic look that will remain popular as well.
In fact, when Medicke styles a home, she layers in specific looks that merge the mid-century and boho styles. “I try to add some wood tones, some golds, some metals, maybe I’ll add more black in some houses. And then I try to add more natural plant-life greens to make the outside come in. People love plants and greens.”
Larger cities are bringing trends to the Triangle
As the Triangle grows, new residents coming from places like New York City, California, and San Francisco are bringing with them modern design and more color. Medicke said that means homes are designed with “lots of personality” and art choice is high-end, but unique.
“They’re very conscious of natural and sustainability,” she said. “Everybody is trying to be a little more organic and sustainable.”
Medicke also said that building styles haven’t necessarily changed, it’s just interior design. But going into 2023, that personality will be on display in a big way across the Triangle.
Don’t want to buy, but want to update your home?
Not everyone is in the market for a new home, but Medicke says anyone can take the inspiration for 2023 and incorporate it into the home. “That’s my favorite thing to do,” she said.
To give your home a fresh look in 2023, she encourages people follow a few simple recommendations.
“Have your paints unified more so you have it joined,” she said. “For lighting fixtures, there are so many avenues to get lighting now. There are lighting stores and things online, which will totally update your house.”
She also suggested thinning out the things you have on walls to make more focal points, creating calm to help the eyes focus. “Instead of having a million items, clear off your walls and try to create more focal points. Create a really interesting piece.”
From there, plan for those accessories. “Once you get your paint unified and you have changed some lights, get some real cohesive, neat and organic accessories. Start by updating your pillows. We started using different cottons, but we’ll use cognac leather pillows, or we mix the colors,” she said. Then add plants and greenery for color and visual interest.
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