The 2023 Color Trends That Are Making Waves, According to Designers

The excitement of the New Year has gently faded and as people settle into 2023 so have the new home paint color trends. For artistically minded people and avid home designers, social media color trends offer interesting and rich routes to wander down. People who are particularly sensitive to color combinations know that there's more to colors than meets the eye — they can influence how we feel and think.

Let's discuss how colors can influence your psychological state and the unique psychological effects of the colors that are trending in 2023. This year, periwinkle blue, sage, olive, and bold earth tones are taking the lead in home decor trends. How can these colors be beautifully integrated into design trends and what are their unique psychological impacts?

The Top Four Color Trends in 2023

When it comes to choosing the best colors for your house, the first step is often the most difficult. Fortunately, with their invaluable knowledge of industry trends and consumer behavior, our designers make it simple to get started. Many color experts and designers say that 2023 will be the year of fresh beginnings. The colors that evoke this feeling will be quite popular during the course of the year.

— Periwinkle —

Why It's Trending: Color powerhouse Pantone has declared a bright shade of periwinkle to be last year's Pantone Color of the Year. Fresh, sweet and optimistic, it's a color that's simultaneously new and comforting – still the perfect shade for throw pillows and other home accents.

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What It Is: The color periwinkle is named after the periwinkle plant. It's a shade that's midway between blue and violet and belongs to the indigo family. It appears pale blue to the naked eye and is often mistaken for lavender.

Periwinkle reflects friendship, good memories, and innocence.

Periwinkle may be made with paint by combining blue, violet, and white until a pastel tint is achieved. Depending on the lighting and proximity to bold colors, the color might look more blue or purple. Periwinkle is associated with friendship, good memories, and innocence due to its subdued, modest tone. Periwinkle is a popular hue for weddings, especially bridesmaid gowns, because of its delicate and feminine attributes.

Periwinkle Psychology: For a long time, psychologists have examined the influence of various colors on human behavior. Periwinkle is no exception to the notion that blue-based colors have a relaxing, beneficial influence on the human psyche. The observer is elicited with sentiments of geniality, cheerfulness, and lightheartedness. It's a fantastic choice for company offices and libraries, where it may foster a productive atmosphere.

How a Designer Recommends Using Periwinkle in the Home: "Periwinkle is a great shade for a living room where its lighthearted serenity can be accentuated by brightly colored or white upholstery. It's also an exquisite choice to theme a girl's or couple's bedroom, where periwinkle wallpaper can be further ornamented or 'broken up' with tasteful wall tapestries." - Courtney Marquez, Living Spaces Interior Designer

2'X3' Doormat Flower Dance Purple

$45

— Sage —

Why It's Trending: This dusty green hue fits right into 2023's overall color themes – sage is mellow, relaxed and familiar while bringing a fresh touch of energy.

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What It Is: Sage is a shade of green that has greyish or silver undertones and resembles the color of dry sage leaves. It's typically associated with fresh starts and new beginnings. It's a hue that signifies rebirth and progress in general.

Common in nature, sage is calming.

It's considered to be peaceful and calming, and it makes you feel at ease and relaxed. It is the most common hue in nature and is a great shade to integrate into your biophilic design decor ideas.

How a Designer Recommends Using Sage in the Home: "It's best incorporated with other natural colors including other shades of green and varying types of hardwood. If homeowners designing a living room or dining room with a sage green backdrop, having multiple plants around the room will contribute to that natural outdoor sentiment. You might consider complementing the sage theme with an elegant wooden dining table." - Courtney Marquez, Living Spaces Interior Designer

Sage Green

6' Round Rug-Elation Shag Sage

$250

8'x11' Rug-Elation Shag Sage

$695

3'5"x5'5" Rug-Sage Latticework

$65

2'3"x7'5" Runner Rug-Elation Shag Sage

$110

5'3" Round Rug-Sage Latticework

$79

5'X7'4" Rug-Sage & Brown Fringed

$325

3'3"x5'3" Rug-Elation Shag Sage

$130

6'x9' Rug-Sage Latticework

$175

Premium Bamboo Sage Split California King Sheet Set

$330

Premium Bamboo Sage Twin Xl Sheet Set

$200

2'3"x7'8" Outdoor Rug-Sage Latticework

$59

2'3"x3'7" Rug-Elation Shag Sage

$59

— Olive —

Why It's Trending: Olive has a timeless versatility that blends well in indoor and outdoor spaces. It's also a calming warm neutral and encapsulates natural motifs such as trees and plants at their warmest and most welcoming

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What It Is: Olive green is a friendly, warming, and vibrant shade of green that portrays elegance, nature, and homeliness. As with most shades of green, it's associated with nature, rebirth, and rejuvenation. It makes people feel relaxed and natural.

Color walls with olive to create a strong sense of nature.

Depending on how bold you're feeling, you can use olive green as a central theme or background tint for a room. You can make it the main theme by fully coloring the walls with this smooth and attractive shade. Olive walls create a strong sense of nature which can be further brought to life by integrating dark woods, perhaps with a table, bed frame, or bookcase.

How a Designer Recommends Using Olive in the Home: "If you're not willing to go hard on the green theme, olive works well as a gentle background undertone. You can create a susurration of olive with olive curtains, cabinetry, or wall hangings." - Courtney Marquez, Living Spaces Interior Designer

Olive

Perch II 50" Velvet Fabric Olive Medium Rectangle Storage Ottoman

$650

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6'7"x9' Rug-Colbourn Machine Washable Dusty Sage/Olive

$295

Olive Curved Back Rolling Office Chair

$225

(1)

6'7"x9' Rug-Leann Machine Washable Rust/Light Olive

$250

5'3"x7' Rug-Leann Machine Washable Rust/Light Olive

$150

6'6"x9'5" Rug-Mariam Moroccan Olive

$795

(11)

2'7"x7'3"Rug-Leann Machine Washable Rust/Light Olive

$89

8'x11' Rug-Delon Olive

$495

(1)

Darcie Olive Green Velvet Side Chair - Set of 2

$670

9'3"x12' Rug-Colbourn Machine Washable Olive/Red

$495

2'7"x10' Rug-Colbourn Machine Washable Dusty Sage/Olive

$130

8'x10' Rug-Marquise Olive/Ivory

$550

— Bold Earth Tones —

Why It's Trending: As more sustainable, eco-conscious decor grows in popularity, so will the color wheel of the earth, creating a space that feels as an homage to the beauty of the great outdoors.

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What It Is: Earth tones include all of the varying shades of green, yellow, brown, and orange. Together they form to create a strong sense of vibrance, youth, and energy. Burnt sienna, in particular, is a reddish-brown hue of orange that invokes a sense of rustic simplicity. It is widely popular in Hindu, Buddhist, and Yogic cultures. It is the most popular color for robes of spiritual men and monks among these cultures, and as a result, is often associated with ancient spirituality.

Give earth tones a boost with brighter shades.

Give earth tones a boost in 2023 with brighter, exciting shades of the familiar palette. Incorporate amber, mustard, navy and terracotta, for example, into rugs, curtains, upholstery and paint colors to create a space that's equally serene and trendy.

How a Designer Recommends Using Earth Tones in the Home: "They're a fabulous choice for a bedroom, living room or bathroom either as the main theme or simply suggested in the background with rugs, tapestries, and wall hangings. Light browns and beiges work in spring and summer as a reminder of the fresher feel that comes with the great outdoors. In the fall and winter, new neutrals are best paired with silver and gold metallics for an alternative and more elegant color palette.” - Courtney Marquez, Living Spaces Interior Designer

Brown

Marco Brown 6 Drawer Dresser

$395

(382)

Marco Brown Queen Panel Bed

Eva Brown Chest Of Drawers

$295

(18)

Large Rectangular Stained Brown Wooden End Table With 2-Tiered Design

$295

Marco Brown Chest Of Drawers

Marco Brown Queen 3 Piece Bedroom Set

$840

(333)

Ambrose Brown Leather 131" 6 Piece Power Zero Gravity Reclining Modular Sectional with Power Headrest & USB

$3,795

Eva Brown 9 Drawer Dresser

$370

(34)

Eva Brown Queen Sleigh Bed

$250

(48)

Marco Brown Nightstand

Colby Navy 3 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing & Left Arm Facing Chaises

$1,350

(21)

Victor Navy Power Zero Gravity 88" Reclining Sofa with Power Headrest & Lumbar

$1,895

(188)

Victor Navy Power Zero Gravity 79" Reclining Storage Console Loveseat with Power Headrest, USB Lumbar

$1,895

(188)

Victor Navy Power Zero Gravity Recliner with Power Headrest & Lumbar

$1,095

(60)

Colby Navy 128" 3 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Tux & Left Arm Facing Chaise

$1,550

(21)

Colby Navy 128" 3 Piece Sectional with Left Arm Facing Tux & Right Arm Facing Chaise

$1,550

(21)

Colby Navy 128" 3 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise & Left Arm Facing Corner Chaise

$1,495

(21)

Colby Navy 128" 3 Piece Sectional with Left Arm Facing Chaise & Right Arm Facing Corner Chaise

$1,495

(21)

Colby Navy Storage Cocktail Ottoman

$350

(5)

Crew Navy 78" Outdoor Sofa

$795

(19)

Crew Navy 79" Outdoor Dining Set For 6

$1,895

The Psychology Effect of Colors

Why does color have such a strong influence on our lives? What kind of impact does it have on our bodies and minds? While color perceptions are sometimes subjective, certain colors have universal significance. Some colors have the ability to encourage activity, change vibes, and even cause physiological responses. Certain colors have been associated with elevated blood pressure, metabolism, and eyestrain.

Chromotherapy is the use of colors as healing or therapy. It was practiced by several ancient cultures, including the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. "Light treatment" or "colorology" are alternate terms for chromotherapy. Colorology is still utilized in holistic treatment today.

While color may impact how we feel and act, experts have discovered that these effects are also influenced by personal, cultural, and environmental variables.

How to Add Color to a Room

Walking the line between subtle and bold, interiors with pops of teal, fuchsia, mauve, red-orange, jewel tones (etc!) are creative and fun. Whether you’re after an all-out rainbow room or a neutral room with a pop of color or two, these DIY ideas are for you!

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1. Wall Art

Add color in a cinch with a gallery of paintings filled with colorful brushstrokes, photographs of colorful objects or sketches on colorful backdrops. Whether it’s for a hallway, bedroom or any room – art makes the perfect way to perk up a blank canvas. Intensify your color choices with frames to match!

2. Sculptures

While we’re on the subject of art, let’s not forget stone, the ages-old medium used for artists’ statues and sculptures – and the modern take on the form by way of household sculptures and figurines. While you’re more likely to see neutrals when it comes to these design objects, colorful versions make a unique splash.

3. Lamps

Light is useless without color to illuminate, and the perfect place to start is in the lamp itself. Try bases with metallic colors like gold and silver for a subtler effect, or go bold and modern with bright primaries! To make sure you get the full effect of a lamp’s color at night, opt for an adjustable design that can be angled to shine on and around itself.

4. Faux Plants

Flowers pack high pigmentation per square inch, but they don’t last long and cost a pretty penny. Just as nice-looking are faux flowers, which will cost you less and brighten up a room with just as much energy-giving color. Go with a non-seasonal plant like ferns, which work year-round.

5. Accent Wall

Paint your vision: choose your favorite color and get to applying. The biggest thing in the room (and the thing you look at most in a room, whether subconsciously or not), the wall is your biggest asset for making a room feel brighter, and the right shade can boost your overall mood.

6. Accent Chair

A bold accent chair has a tremendous effect on a room’s color scheme. Choose a shade that fits your self-expression; you can even look into reupholstering options for freshening up an old chair. The great thing about colorful accent chairs is that actually sitting in one, you feel as though you’re enveloped in color – the most fun lounging experience, ever.

7. Poufs

This bright yellow pouf is making our color radars go off – in a good way. Yellow is associated with energy, life and sunshine, but poufs come in a range of colors and the choice is up to you. Try matching a pouf with a throw blanket (see next step) for cool coordination.

8. Throw Blanket

If you don’t think color can have a tangible effect, you’ve never accessorized with a raspberry blush throw blanket! Combined with the comfort of soft threads, color looks like it feels like cozy happiness. Throw over a sofa’s arm, chair’s arm or end of a bed for an easy splash of colorful comfort.