“Boho style is leaning [towards] much more of a mixture of modern with boho-inspired pieces,” says Molly Cody, interior designer and founder of Cody Residential. “Macrame wall hangings and egg chairs, gone! Keeping the variety of textures boho encourages alongside clean, sleek pieces is the route to go moving forward.” It’s true, a white hue and an intricate, tough-to-clean fabric are risky in busy households. What to do if your eye has been on a boucle piece? Opt for smart fabrics with texture. These materials can bounce back from spills and dirt but still have dimensional flair. It can be hard making looks outlast the fast-moving trend cycle, but Small explains that your personal preferences and way of living should come first when deciding on a decorating style. “The way to design or refresh your home in a way that won’t feel dated is about creating something that suits your taste, works for your lifestyle, but is also in balance and harmony with your actual home and the surrounding area.” “They’re quickly becoming a thing of the past,” says Spaulding. “If you still have beige walls, now is the time to give them a refresh.” A warm white (like Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year) or even a more impactful cocoa brown can be nice alternatives that feel more modern. “Open floor plans were all the rage in early 2022 but are now passé,” says Spaulding. “They don’t necessarily make for a cozy home; instead, they can make a room feel small and cramped because there aren’t any walls or barriers to separate one area from another.” If you feel like your home has blurred into one giant room, 2023 might be a good year to implement temporary barriers or furniture that provides some kind of break. This boom in sliding doors and barn-style contraptions were popular, but Spaulding says sliding barn doors are now “out” and really losing ground this year. “People are tired of the heavy doors and having to deal with them and are instead opting for something breezier and lighter,” she notes. Dining rooms can hold multiple purposes now or they can be a fun collection of decor. Instead of identical chair sets, opt for an eclectic collection of seating or spice things up with a funky chandelier. Dining tables can also look heavy and weigh the look of a room down. Try a sleek stone table or a wooden version with raw or wavy edges. Without much thought, she adds that homeowners may end up repainting or settling on a single shade after hastily picking two hues. If you are in love with this look and want to get it right the first time, try opting for a darker shade on the bottom and a lighter shade up top. This will punctate your kitchen thanks to the grounding base cabinets, but it won’t make it feel closed off or cramped.
