As the weather turns darker and cooler, it's only natural to feel like a change in your home decor to match the changing seasons - and it's also a great excuse to give your interiors a refresh. If you're keen to get a sneak peek at the autumn/winter trends you can expect to see as 2022 transitions into 2023, you've come to the right place!
Read on for our expert insight on the decor styles you can expect to see lighting up your Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds in the months ahead, with predictions from our Your Home and HomeStyle editorial teams, as well as top interior designers in the industry.
They'll share their favourite new looks, as well as the emerging trends which stood out at this years Salone del Mobile in Milan, Europe's leading interiors tradeshow and a fabulous place to spot tomorrow's hot styles.
Six decor trends to watch in autumn/winter 2022
Candy colours
'While muted pastel palettes have been popular looks during the past couple of years – now it’s all about candy colours if the spectrum of shades on display in Milan are anything to go by,' says Daniel Prendergast, design director at The Rug Seller. 'Think sugary sweet bright and electrifying pops of pinks, blues, yellows, oranges and green.'
'Whenever new colour trends start to come to the fore, like with those predicted at major fashion and design events, we always see this translate into online searches - as people look for cost effective and convenient ways to inject a new trend into their interiors.
'We’ve already seen demand for ‘Barbie pink’ increase with the anticipated release of the new film, and we expect to now see this boosted further on the back of the Candy Colours seen at Milan.
'Accessories are a great way to be experimental with colour – giving your home an instant uplift without breaking the bank. Let your floor do the talking - go big and bold with a statement rug in this season’s hottest colours.'
Dark academia
Deep greens and blues evoke a calming atmosphere that’s ideal for concentrating on cosy autumn activities, whether that’s settling down with a copy of our magazines or enjoying your favourite Scandi drama. Don’t be afraid to delve into dark shades and offset the moody tones with warm highlights in ochre and mustard. The light from candles and warm white bulbs cast a comforting glow against dark walls and will help create snug vibes on winter evenings. Check out our favourite practical and stylish energy-efficient light bulbs to get started.
Achieve texture by adding patterns and prints that look like they’ve been pulled straight out of a school reference book. Think orderly lines of butterflies and bugs, detailed botanical illustrations and playful animals. Foliage is a key element to this look, so if you don’t have green fingers, include it in your wallpaper or fabric.
A sweep of parquet-effect flooring will upgrade the scholastic vibe. For top marks, finish off with piles of vintage books.
Crafted Cosiness
Continuing a trend in recent years away from mass-marker decor and towards unique and handmade pieces that tell a story, authenticity and craftsmanship will remain core principles for interior design in the months ahead.
Lizzie Beesley, head of design at Magnet, says this look is perfect for adding a lived-in, cosy touch to kitchens. 'Introducing handcrafted, artisanal pieces bring warmth to the kitchen, helping you feel more comforted and calmer while you cook and chat with friends. These pieces can range from woven wicker lampshades to jute rugs featuring unique patterns and shapes, or a solid wood table or shelves, crafted by a local carpenter.'
'Taking influence from Japanese interior design, the wooden slat wall has become vastly popular this year – and even better, it can be undertaken as a DIY project, if you feel up to the challenge!
'In the kitchen, this works particularly well surrounding an Aga or range cooker – giving an authentic New York loft feel to your space.'
Bouclé 2.0
'Bouclé is a great way to add cosy texture, curves and comfort to your interiors – but it’s not just limited to sofas and armchairs,' says Lucy Mather, interior design expert at Arighi Bianchi. 'We are seeing more and more uses for it throughout the home like in the dining room where it can add a textured, luxe finish to dining chairs for a grown up space that is sophisticated and cosy at the same time.
'The beauty of boucle and is that it’s a look that will stand the test of time and work all year round – fresh and bright in the summer months and warm and cosy in the winter. One to watch for 2023 is boucle branching out into deeper, stand out shades such as blue and burnt orange – achieve this look by adding pops of colour with boucle accessories to keep your home bang on trend.'
Lavender fields
By naming ‘Very Peri’ – a punchy shade of periwinkle – as its Colour of the Year 2022, Pantone ensured that purple-blue hues would be popular throughout the spring and summer. As we enter the latter, colder months of the year, these tones have just as much of a place in the home as they do in springtime. Lavender has historically been regarded as a scent to help you unwind, and what more could you want during the long months of hibernation? This trend lends itself to the notion that we can all benefit from enjoying a slower, more relaxed way of life.
'Balance lavender hues with a colour palette inspired by nature,' says Sanel Konyar, luxury interior designer and founder of Interior Kollection. Combining this shade with soft neutrals and textures works really well for a contemporary feel with a nod towards cottagecore.’
Mirrored and high shine finishes
'As we head towards the Autumn/Winter expect to see more and more mirrored surfaces make their way into interiors,' predicts Beth Pickford from online homeware retailer Shabby. 'This trend might be unapologetic and ostentatious - but you don’t have to invest in designer pieces to get the look.
'Sculptural, statement mirrors were also huge in Milan and mirrors are a fantastic way of injecting the trend into your home without it looking overtly bling.
'High shine, glass and mirrored furniture is another way to achieve this look. These pieces will add light and brightness to your space – creating that refined, luxe look that is hugely popular in interiors right now. Choose a statement piece such as a coffee table, side table or sideboard and then soften the look with a deep pile rug, tactile sofa and luxe soft furnishings for a dramatic and glamorous interior scheme.'
Feeling inspired? Explore our home decor features for even more style ideas, or check out the latest trends to see what's hot right now.
