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By Lauren Hurwitz 

It’s a new year, but that doesn’t mean out with the old! When it comes to home design, much of last year’s trends will remain the same. But one thing is for sure – our spaces are about to get a lot more colorful with the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year – Viva Magenta. According to Pantone, “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real…Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.” A sharp departure from the 2022 favorite color of Ultimate Gray, Viva Magenta is a head turner and a statement maker in it’s own right. Interior Designer Christine Wetzel of Christine Wetzel Design says, “I’m a big fan of incorporating color pops in rooms, adding a bit of a surprise element to a neutral based space.  I added magenta in a girl’s bedroom, as a foil to the neutral silver/grey, adding a fun playful touch, that brings a smile to the face.”

But this bright color trend doesn’t equate to overhauling your entire existing décor, Wetzel expects 2023 will still revolve around sustainability. “The constant stream of information regarding the fragility of our planet continues to drive “green” purchases.  Reusing items you may already have, but possibly in a different manner, or recovering or repainting pieces that may be looking a little tired. I feel that a big part of my job is educating clients about not having to actually ‘get rid of everything’, drawing existing pieces into the floor plans, and by doing so, adding a bit of personality to the room,” she says.

If you’re getting inspired to redecorate, Wetzel says it’s important to consider a handful of things before jumping in headfirst. First is to think of your lifestyle. Do you have kids? How old are they? Are there pets? Is it a formal space, or a space to be used by the family? Do you need to maximize seating? She says these are all important questions when it comes to layout, fabric or carpet selection, and general useability. Next she says to consider the budget. “Budget is not a fun word and no one likes to talk about it, but budget is extremely helpful when designing a space,” says Wetzel. “I like to have complete transparency when dealing with costs – it alleviates any unpleasant surprises down the road.” Lastly, she asks her clients to consider expectations. “We are all growing weary of the supply chain issues’ we have been facing for the past couple of years, but unfortunately they are not going away any time soon.  Projects that used to take a couple of months are now on a far longer lead time.  Understanding that this is a problem across the board today, will help you to alleviate potential frustration during your project.  Just know that when the project is complete, it will be well worth it!”

It can be easy to spiral when doing a home project so Wetzel notes “over enthusiasm is the most common mistake when it comes to following trends.  Incorporating gold fixtures in one room is gorgeous, but not all rooms.  Wallpaper used sparingly is impactful but when used everywhere it’s just distracting.  Try to keep the special design aspects special, don’t dilute the impact, by going overboard.” She says as a final thought, always remember…”less is more!”