Strong colour palettes, featuring deep blues, icy tones, and mossy greens all the way through to subtle pink and peach tones, are trending on the design radar and are the backdrop to many stylish interior schemes.
The Pantone colour of the year, Viva Magenta, a delicious raspberry burgundy hue and its related muted berry tones, comes through in rugs and cushions and pops from punchy patterned wallpapers. Soft oranges and apricot variations sit prettily together. At the leading international design fair Maison & Obet in Paris in January 2023, interior designer of the year Raphael Navot harmoniously mixed burnt oranges, berries and forest greens on his shapely, softly upholstered stools for Roche Bobois.
An eighties influence infuses a plethora of interiors, whether in an obvious colour-driven Memphis take of bright colour, geometric shapes and bold patterns or in more restrained swatches of peaches and cream and complementary tints of pale pink and terracotta.
In line with our desire to connect with our natural environment, green has been a significant colour choice for the last couple of years. It is popping up in various hues, from deep jades and emeralds to minty pastels, pistachio, moss, olive and petrol tones. Even joinery and kitchen benchtops are getting the green treatment with rare stone on vanities and walls. Handmade tiles in verdant shades adorn many chic bathrooms, and fabrics and wallpapers printed with patterns and murals make a strong statement. Sage, eucalypt, and artichoke tones infuse decorative glass, bed linen, sofas, and cushions. A broad spectrum of leafy green tints ensures a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor schemes.
Floral patterned wallpapers and fabrics are bursting with colour. Strong overscale prints feature in some while painterly mural schemes adorn others. There is an art to playing with patterns and colour. Australian designers like Greg Natale, Anna Spiro and Arent & Pyke are experts in the effortless matching of colour and print to imaginatively dress an anchored, fashionable, and cohesive interior. Our homegrown designers, overall, are playing it less safe and are imagining more dynamic spaces with carefully curated fabrics, collectible vintage pieces, art, rugs and accessories.
What we are seeing is echoed in the acclaimed Dulux Colour Trend Report where their experts call out the following colour directions for 2023.
Connect is a collection of shades of soft earthy neutrals, naturals, muted greens, and wheat yellows combined with warm deep brown grey and charcoal accents.
Balance features delicate pastels, oceanic hues such as soft greens, deep moody teals and blues, punctuated with deep garnet and near black greens.
Revive speaks to the Memphis inspired palettes mentioned before – it’s creative and feels joyful, featuring soft blue and lilac, alongside dramatic emerald, green, warm yellow and playful pink and purple accents.
Metallics are shining brightly, and we are still seeing lots of gorgeous gold accents on tapware, door hardware, cushions, and lighting while chrome and silver highlights are making a comeback. Acclaimed UK designer Lee Broom showed a stunning selection of pendant lights with chrome accents at Maison & Objet. These metallics team beautifully in most rooms but work particularly well with subtle tonal combinations injecting some shine on a paler palette.
While neutrals are timeless and the appeal of crisp classic white never fades, tones of white are getting a refresh matched with soft furnishings and accessories in interesting textures and shapes; think wool, cashmere, raffia and wicker - even woven wall hangings- partnered with warm shades of stone, wheat, biscuit and taupe.
