If you’re spending at least eight hours a day in a room, it should be a sanctuary. Still, when it comes to good design and trends, many people often ignore the bedroom. It could be because this room isn’t exactly a space for entertaining guests and it’s often closed off from the rest of the home. Still, the bedroom happens to be one of the easiest rooms to elevate.
2022 was a unique year for bedroom trends, as supply chain issues were far less challenging. So homeowners could finally complete renovation projects, creating master suites, swapping out flooring, or even installing wallpaper. This also meant that renters could do those essential refreshes.
However, after several years of the same looks, 2023 will likely be a year of changes in this category, probably more so than any other room in the home. Here are the bedroom design trends going away in 2023, as well as what will be replacing these styles, according to interior designers and experts.
Muted Colors And Neutrals
The days of all-white, super light-colored bedrooms are over. Interior designer Philip Thomas Vanderford of Studio Thomas James tells me, “The neutral spa feel is done. You can totally find your zen moment in a space full of rich saturated color that tells your personal story. We love the tension of using different types of fabrics.”
So what will be on-trend instead? According to interior designer and HomeGoods Style Expert, Beth Diana Smith, it will be more saturated hues including red, pink, and mauve. “Why reds and pinks? These shades have been more popular as more feminine vibes have been coming to play with trends like Barbiecore and pastel Christmas.”
These colors can easily overwhelm a space. So, she suggests integrating pops of color instead trying to transform the entire room. “I recommend decor pieces such as bold printed pillows, decorative objects like ceramic vases, and art that can grab attention and easily be moved around.”
However, for those who are fearless, Smith thinks its best to opt for larger furniture items like velvet sofas or alternately combining small furniture items like colorful upholstered chairs and wooden hand-carved tables. “Home items are very similar to fashion items, once you see ‘it’ in that color, you know whether you want to take it home.”
Maximalism
On the other end of the spectrum, maximalism will also be going away in 2023. “The whole maximalist trend has been overworked in general but especially in the bedroom and it looks like the trend has had its moment and is out. Maxing out on mixing patterns, textures, and color is eye candy in a magazine but in reality, it’s not right for bedrooms if you want to sleep,” says Kristi Nelson, founder and principal designer of KMNelson Design. “Personally, I love mixing and matching but in the maximalist approach, especially in bedrooms, too much is too much. In the bedroom, it’s about being a mix-master not a maximalist.”
Oversized Bedrooms
For years, huge master suites and bedrooms that nearly rival the size of condos have been a must-have for new builds and renovated homes. But interior designer Holly Freres of JHL Design predicts this will fall out of favor in 2023. “We’re seeing a movement away from larger bedroom spaces. Bedrooms are becoming a bit smaller and more intimate. We’re even seeing a combination of bedrooms and bathrooms in one room without a door, except for the lavatory. We recently designed a space that combined the sleeping area with a bathtub. The clients wanted to make the space as efficient as possible.”
The designer tells me that her clients are prioritizing larger common spaces like living rooms instead.
Matching Bedroom Furniture
Bedroom sets have been a go-to presumably since the advent of big box stores. After all, it’s far easier to choose one style than to try and coordinate a bed, nightstands, dresser, chest, and armoire. While this look has become less popular in recent years, it will be completely out of style in 2023.
“Uniform sets can make a room feel impersonal like a furniture showroom, instead by bringing a variety of colors, textures, and materials you can get an eye-popping, one-of-a-kind look,” says Smith. “I love to look for two distinct nightstand tables—one might be brushed gold with metal or the other handcrafted in Indonesia with an eclectic wood carved design.”
Real estate broker Lori Levine Harris of Brock and Lori agrees. “A dresser with two matching nightstands is on the way out. Maximalism is in, and bedrooms need a little flare. Think mismatched nightstands nightstands with different patterns and looks against a wallpaper backdrop.”
Uncomfortable Bedrooms
When it comes to the bedroom, comfort is key and anything that isn’t comfortable is a giant no. “We are seeing a shift from minimalist to comfortable plush spaces. I think people have a new desire for a stylish space that is also comfortable. Direct-to-consumer brands have made luxury affordable and customers are jumping right in!,” says Coley Hull, founder of Coley Home.
So what types of plush pieces are currently on-trend? New York agent Steve Gottlieb of Coldwell Banker Warburg tells me, “Much like the trend of curved chairs and sofas in living room spaces, we are also seeing it in the bedroom. Bedroom seating and headboards are curvier, and bouclé doesn’t seem to be a flash-in-the-pan design trend, but it might be here for a while longer. Since remote work is here to stay, people spend more time at home, and in their bedrooms, so visual and physical comfort is key.”
Television In The Bedroom
While sitting in bed and binge-watching television can be incredibly relaxing, many people have realized that they don’t need a television for this. Gottlieb has seen fewer televisions in the bedroom lately. “This one is debatable, but even as ‘goblin mode’ becomes mainstream, many people seem to be opting to remove their television from the bedroom. They have their phone with them and maybe their iPad on the bedside table, but then they have the television in the den or living room. Although many are TV-in-bed people, many others are opting to try to keep their bedroom as serene as possible, partly by not installing a television there.”
Harris is also seeing this trend in Los Angeles. “Our clients are removing the televisions from their bedrooms. Haven’t you heard that it disrupts your sleep? Bedrooms are a sanctuary, so we’re seeing more and more people take the television out of the bedrooms.”
Coastal Grandmother
Jenny Reimold, HomeGoods Style Expert tells me the ever-popular coastal grandmother aesthetic will evolve in 2023. “On the heels of coastal grandmother, blue will take over inside and outside of the home, however, it will evolve from a shabby chic style into a clean and modern coastal look—think of fewer floral fabrics and sailboats and more muted pinstripes, driftwood and mixed neutrals and brass accents.”
She suggests incorporating this look subtly. “Replace boldly colored bedding with layered, neutral duvet covers and quilts. HomeGoods has high-quality bedding options for an affordable price. You can also bring your space together by swapping out a busy rug with a textured sisal one for a more natural aesthetic and pair hydrangeas in a sea glass vase next to a hurricane lamp and coastal photography book for a coffee table display.”
Toxic Furnishings
While there has been more interest in wellness in recent years as well as sustainability, consumers continue to make strides towards better choices when it comes to health and chemical exposure. One of these products is paint explains Steve Pallrand, founder of CarbonShack Design. “Use paints with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) or no VOC to reduce or eliminate off-gassing in your home. This is especially important in bedrooms, where we spend up eight or more continuous hours each day, and where rest and wellness are paramount.”
He also advises choosing furniture that is made primarily from natural products, as opposed to cheap materials like composite boards, which emit harmful off-gassing from their glue and resin contents. “Natural wood, clay, and fabrics like hemp, which is inherently anti-microbial and softens with use, are great options.”