Top Homeowner Trends

As we head into a brand-new year, this is the ideal time to splash out on some home upgrades to give your interior space a much-needed revamp.

Kim Williams, a top Cape Town interior designer, behaviour specialist, and owner of the Kim Williams Design studio, unveils the top trends which every homeowner should know in 2023.

1. Colour is back with a bang 

South Africans enter the new year in the throes of a bright and hot summer. The muted tones that had a calming and healing affect over us during the pandemic are being replaced with brighter colours and bolder designs.

We are likely to see a big uptick in rooms filled with mood boosting colours that reflect personal style and taste. Yellow shades are especially associated with feelings of happiness and optimism, and Plascon’s colour combination for 2023 really captures the different stages of light and cheerfulness of this time of year.

2. Create an experience and not collect things 

Thanks to social media, we are now all mini celebrities, with our own individual brand and aesthetic, and the best way to articulate this is in our interior décor. It’s a trend mainly driven by a much younger generation wanting to express themselves but also comes off the back of isolation and lockdown restrictions which brought mingling and memory making to a grinding halt.

Expect to see bold art pieces and expressive accent colours on fabrics and wallcoverings. They might not conform to typical design and interior décor conventions, but they are effective in adding pops of colour, an element of intrigue and interest, and celebrates the different voices, cultures, and individual personalities that make up life.

3. Repair, Recycle and Repurpose

Deepened healing is a huge behavioural trend which I have spoken about at length in the first edition of my report, ‘Behind the Design’. This inclusive design essentially looks at the desire for humans to always want to be connected to nature and it continues to gain constant traction.

One reason for this is the strong drive to repair and repurpose items and reduce waste, especially given the recent supply and demand constraints caused by the war in Ukraine. I have also been seeing a fantastic emerging trend where old, cherished memories from past generations are brought to life in beautiful quilts and wall hangings, that then act as bespoke décor pieces in the home. It is such a unique way to tell a story and invoke interest.

4. Embracing outdoor living 

As temperatures rise, so too does our desire to be outside, barefoot, and carefree, sipping drinks and enjoying garden games with loved ones. Merging our outdoor and indoor living space is going to be huge this year, as it brings in light, improves flow and balance and keeps our living area feeling bright and spacious.

Remember, an outdoor space only works if it exudes a bright and breezy feel, so don’t add too much. Transparent ghost chairs are a great practical outdoor solution, and you can easily swap out the cushions and throws from season to season. From a décor perspective, this is where you can properly express elements of deepened healing. Consider adding repurposed or repaired items of furniture, previously loved design pieces in soft curves and shapes, and appealing pieces of artwork.

5. Be water wise 

Next year is all about reconnecting with all aspects of planet earth and we don’t just mean dotting a few plant pots around.  Our connection with water continues to be a rising phenomena all over the world and especially in places like Cape Town where cold-water swimming and general ocean awareness is growing in popularity.

Expect to see plenty of water features next year, both in the home, and the garden, that promote feelings of calmness, tranquillity and balance.

6. Conscious materials

Our desire for sustainable, eco-conscious living transcends to all parts of the design and décor sphere. We are likely to see more use of locally sourced materials, such as rattan, wood, stone, and weaves that are interspersed with soft furnishings and décor pieces made by local craftspeople.

There is also going to be a stronger effort to be deliberate with décor, with every item carefully considered for the value it will add to the overall objective, feeling or experience before it is added to a room. We’re likely to see people not just using décor for its aesthetic appeal, but to help create or contribute towards the entire energy and experience of the space.