“Cautious Hedonism” Is the Design Mood for 2023
A quest for new creative voices
One notion of expansion that comes through in the report is CB2’s belief in the value of “new voices” for 2023. With 57% of CB2 Trade Program members stating their desire to seek out unique pieces with a story, and 41% considering how diverse design perspectives can shape the home, there’s a real opportunity for designers outside the popular European or midcentury molds to make their mark. (Naturally, Turf cites Evan Jerry, of Studio Anansi, and female designers such as Farrah Sit as examples of upcoming CB2 collaborations that speak to this notion.)
The return of entertaining at home
Surveyed designers saw “the art of entertaining” as another trend worth celebrating. With dinner parties back on the menu, expect consumers to eagerly showcase the eye for design they developed during the pandemic. Making entertaining an art form need not constitute a massive DIY project, either. Turf sees this trend manifesting in smaller pieces that “are well thought-out and carefully chosen,” with a focus on tabletop items that emphasize “materials and finished details.”
Whether it’s with a tiger onyx serving plate for charcuterie or an eye-catching stainless steel champagne bucket, there are many ways to add elevated touches that transform a gathering without requiring a home renovation.
Design that’s comfortably characteristic
Another predicted expansive trend is design that has the power to combine comfort and the articulation of one’s highly personal aesthetic. The past few years have reminded consumers of the home’s primal importance as a space for rest and relaxation, and now that we’re opening our doors to friends and loved ones again, there’s a chance to merge tactile comfort with a clear articulation of personal style. From soft upholstery to rich velvet, and from sofas to throw blankets, there are many ways both big and small to create a sense of “refined comfort,” as the report puts it, to make one’s home not only look good, but feel good too.
Cue the gleeful experimentation
And at a time when many 2023 Colors of the Year speak to a newfound willingness to embrace brighter shades and bolder design choices, “cautious hedonism” feels right at home. CB2’s final stated trend further points the way towards a future where muted moderation gives way to gleeful (but reasonable) experimentation. The Next in Design report states that the brand’s Trade Members are trending towards the use of active woods and marbles, blackened steel, and velvet, but the only limit on one’s approach to this trend is the imagination.
“We see consumers ready to re-embrace different parts of themselves and their moods in the new year,” Turf predicts. “In seeking pleasures, we’re seeing a willingness to incorporate a wide array of colors, unique patterns, varied finishes, and strong shapes into key areas of their homes and spaces, all with an emphasis on quality and timeless designs.”
