Design Trends for 2023

With Pantone’s announcement of Viva Magenta as Color of the Year for 2023, we’re excited to see more projects that embrace bold colors and celebrate our own unique shades of magenta in full grain upholstery leather. 

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real, Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.” 

– Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

So, what other design trends are on the horizon for the year ahead? We’ve gathered the thoughts and predictions for what materials, colors, and trends we can expect in 2023 from our community of designers and architects. At Spinneybeck | FilzFelt, we collaborate with designers all over the world who bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the products they design. And, with new trends on the horizon, we’re excited to see what our designers are predicting from some of the most design-forward cities around the world. 

Architecture Research Office (New York, United States)

“This year, we expect to see all things natural, colorful, and personal. Integrating colors and textures inspired by nature—varied greens, warm neutrals—and natural materials will continue to take center stage. This reflects awareness of our responsibility as designers relative to environmental stewardship and an appreciation for all things outdoors. Colorful, animated, and energizing palettes will also dominate—for contrast or accent—to add intensity to varied spaces. As we continue working in the office, from home, or far afield, adding a personal touch or imprint on our own spaces will become increasingly common. This might be through reclaimed materials and finishes or salvaged furniture and objects—those unique details and touches will be coveted.” 

“Integrating colors and textures inspired by nature—varied greens, warm neutrals—and natural materials will continue to take center stage. This reflects awareness of our responsibility as designers relative to environmental stewardship and an appreciation for all things outdoors.”

Bernd Benninghoff (Mainz, Germany)

“Sustainability will play a decisive role in the design process of the future. Bio-based materials are becoming increasingly important in product design and interior architecture. The great challenge often lies in giving these sustainable materials a convincing visual quality and the products realized with them an appealing aesthetic. I recently visited Dutch Design Week, an exhibition that primarily focuses on new trends in design. This year, the focus was on materials made from renewable resources or waste products. In my own work and together with my students, we are moving precisely in this direction. This year we have already created acoustic modules from self-growing mushroom cultures and are now working on furniture, lighting, and architectural modules from compostable hemp fibers and bio-resin.”

“Sustainability will play a decisive role in the design process of the future. Bio-based materials are becoming increasingly important in product design and interior architecture. The great challenge often lies in giving these sustainable materials a convincing visual quality and the products realized with them an appealing aesthetic.”

Emanuela Frattini Magnusson (New York, United States)

“Economic, political, and social events are always tied to shifting trends in the design industry. The last few years have seen such enormous upheaval in all our lives, transforming rituals and habits that we thought were unshakable overnight. Nothing like having no choice! The continuing overlap between home and the workplace is affecting how we think about new products and the roles each has to fulfill, and environmental concerns have become a central argument in determining choices. 

Overall, in my opinion, the term that best defines the current mood is hybrid, as every aspect of life seems to be in flux between states. From the workplace to technology to fashion, we are not committed to any one direction as the future is open to myriad options. Even the color of the year selected by Pantone, Magenta, (I do not believe in the prescriptive nature of this type of forecasting, but it is an interesting indicator) is described as ’a hybrid in many senses, as it straddles the physical and the virtual, the organic and the innovative.’”

“Overall, in my opinion, the term that best defines the current mood is hybrid, as every aspect of life seems to be in flux between states. From the workplace to technology to fashion, we are not committed to any one direction as the future is open to myriad options.”