Interior design in 2023 is expected to maintain two popular concepts from recent years: comfort and functionality. Sustainability is also an issue that is gaining momentum in home furnishings, with trends moving towards the use of more eco-friendly materials and the reuse of old items to avoid waste. Technology is already commonplace in our homes, and each year, more items help us maintain and clean the house, allowing us to spend more time with our families and enjoy a more comfortable environment. Learn about the materials, furniture, and colours that will be popular in 2023, and then let your imagination run wild.

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Which environmentally friendly materials will be in vogue in 2023?

Because the world is constantly changing, it is difficult to keep up with the rapid development of new and environmentally friendly materials. Although it's always good to change the look of your home, you should consider throwing away items that are still in good condition. The most important trend for 2023 is waste reduction and not throwing away items in good condition. However, if the interior of our home is not harmonious, we should try to change it, and various environmentally friendly materials can help to brighten up rooms.

1. Bamboo

Bamboo is an example of this. A rapidly growing herb that does not die when cut, but instead regenerates quickly. Because of its resistance and flexibility, this grass can be harvested in 3 to 5 years and used in a variety of ways for interior decoration. Bamboo is widely used in flooring, furniture, decorative and storage items, textiles, and even wall and ceiling coverings.

Bamboo floors and wall tiles are durable, easy to install and available in many colours and finishes. The natural shade of bamboo is perfect for contrasting with colourful furniture. Bamboo flooring can last a lifetime if treated properly, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for durable and environmentally friendly materials.

Bamboo furniture has been used for a long time, and it is now even available in outdoor furniture. There are sofas, chairs, tables, and anything else your imagination can conjure up. The organic look of bamboo reminds us of natural environments, and the terraces or gardens of our homes are a great space to be in touch with nature.

Bamboo fibres have also gained importance in the textile sector. You have probably heard of bamboo fibre sheets, but do you know the advantages that this material offers? They are softer than conventional fibres and, therefore, good for the skin. Due to the natural sap and rounded fibres, they prevent wrinkles and regulate body temperature. They are hypoallergenic and antibacterial, and do not absorb the creams we apply to the skin at night.

2. Cork

Cork is well known in Portugal, which is the world leader in the export of this raw material. It is not only used for wine cork stoppers, but also everyday objects. Cork is increasingly used in interior design and house construction. It has an organic texture and appearance, as well as excellent sound and heat-insulating properties. Cork is also water-resistant, durable, lightweight, hypoallergenic and naturally environmentally friendly. The cork is extracted from cork oaks without damaging the tree. The first harvest does not take place until the tree is 25 years old, but after that, the waiting time shortens and the cork quality improves.

3. Clay

If you enjoy being hands-on, 2023 could be a good year to build your decorative objects. The natural imperfections of clay, cement or other similar materials will be a trend, especially in homes that are more minimalist in decor. These materials are easily accessible and simple to work with, and they can be transformed into tools that are not currently available on the market. The tones of clay or cement can be left natural or painted in any colour. This type of decorative object is a trend for 2023, so it will be easy to find vases, plates or statues in interior design shops.

4. Organic cotton, linen, hemp and wool

They will be the four trendy textile materials in 2023 because they are sustainable and natural. They are materials that last, and their texture has the organic touch that every home deserves in this new year. Likewise, they can be used for bed textiles, curtains or even decorative objects using millennial techniques. For example, there is macramé, a technique in which wool threads are braided and used with other materials to make lampshades, decorative wall coverings and even chairs. In Portugal, wool is also often used for blankets and colourful cushion covers. These objects give a younger look to minimalist spaces, or can even embellish homes with a maximalist tendency.

Minimalist Interior Design Trend, 2023

Minimalism in interior design is not a new trend. It first became popular in the 1960s among architects, where the trend was more noticeable in the organic and "clean" lines of buildings. In the 1990s, the trend became even more visible and soon found its way into interior design.

This trend is still popular and makes rooms timeless and environmentally friendly by using sustainable materials. A simple room with only the essential items in the foreground becomes functional and practical. In today's hectic world, this is a valuable trait.

The use of simple elements, natural light, and the premise of creating clean and spacious rooms define minimalism. Although neutral tones are typically used as the foundation of the colour palette, there are always elements in the decoration that use bolder colours to provide contrast.

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Maximalist Trend in Interior Design, 2023

The name already suggests that this is the opposite of minimalism. Maximalism has colour, textures, and different materials, so it's a mixture of several trends, and in the end, everything has to be combined well. While minimalism can give the impression of a cold room, maximalism gives a feeling of cosiness and comfort through the explosion of colours and patterns. This trend tends to show the personality of the home's inhabitants through artwork on the walls or statues on vintage furniture. Although this trend requires the use of numerous objects and materials, the use of sustainable raw materials or even second-hand furniture should not be ignored.

Maximalism was a reaction to minimalism with bolder approaches. It wasn't until 2010 that this trend became more noticeable in interior design.

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Technology is still a trend in 2023

Although not a decorative motif in the traditional sense, technology is making our lives much easier. Every product or object that comes on the market meets the needs we have in our daily lives, and today we can say that they follow the current design lines and trends. Our homes have leapt forward and show the future is now.

1. Home Automation

This is already a feature in many homes, allowing owners to control and automate their living spaces. How can we use this function to control the house? Some of the functions include controlling the entry and exit of people from the house and regulating the lighting or heating. Home automation is managed using a smartphone or computer, either at home or remotely.

2. Voice assistant

The voice assistant is an artificial intelligence feature that also allows you to control your home through voice commands. The best known on the market, belong to the big companies, Amazon and Google. These assistants can access your request to turn off the lights or answer questions.

3. Household robots

Today, it is impossible to imagine life without household robots. The best known are the autonomous hoovers that can vacuum and clean the house with the help of a mapping system and are still able to return to the base to recharge the batteries. Kitchen robots have been around for some time, allowing us to prepare home-cooked meals in just a few steps. In bathrooms, it is increasingly common to find a smart mirror. This technology makes it possible to remove humidity after bathing, turn on music, know the time or temperature and turn on the light that is built into the mirror. There are others, such as the robotic lawnmower or the robotic glass cleaner, but they are not yet used in Portugal.

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Pantone's colour of the year 2023

As usual, Pantone always releases the next year's colour in autumn. This year, on 1 December, the institution that deals with colour trends announced that the colour of the year 2023 is Viva Magenta. It is a colour associated with nature, as it comes from the family of reds that radiate strength and vitality. This tone is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious, powerful and luminous shades in the world.

If you are looking to buy a house, these tips can help you decorate the rooms. Follow the latest trends while keeping in mind that sustainability will be the most important trend in the coming years.