If you’ve been dreaming of fresh ways to decorate your foyer or enliven a favorite room, follow your creative instincts with tips from the experts. We reached out to art and interior design pros around the South for the latest trends. Here are six tips and a selection of captivating spaces to inspire you.
1. Bid farewell to the all-white kitchen.
Give the heart of your home an update with paint and finishes that impart more warmth and coziness than stark white surrounds. Designer Lindley Arthur of Lindley Arthur Interiors says elements like natural wood, stone countertops in darker tones, and pretty sconces affixed to cabinetry “make the kitchen feel less utilitarian and create a warmer and more inviting environment.” Add personal flair or create an English cottage vibe (below) with a single accent wall cloaked in a fun motif.
2. Go bold with upholstery and paint.
From navy and forest green to gold and aubergine, rich hues lend depth and character to any space. Lindley suggests trading white or neutral upholstery for interesting fabrics. “It can be a splurge, but a sofa covered in an eye-catching print is always a showstopper. Also, a white sofa is a lot of work to keep clean, and prints are more forgiving when it comes to hiding stains,” she says. Darker, durable fabrics allow for easier maintenance of dining chairs as well.
3. Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year.
Pantone has dubbed Viva Magenta the color to embrace in 2023 for its “vim and vigor” as a “red that revels in pure joy.” To jazz up your décor with a trending hue, artwork is a great place to start. “When it comes to incorporating a specific color into your home, art will forever be a personal and manageable way to do so,” says Mollie Creason, founder and curator of Well + Wonder Artist Collective. Like paintings, small woven rugs are a great way to bring in certain tints with the perk of being easy to move around as your needs and tastes change.
For larger statement-making pieces, like this magenta velvet loveseat, a mix of neutrals and complementary prints allows the striking hue to shine without overpowering the entire look.
4. Try your hand at maximalism.
Artful whimsy is the hallmark of this design sensibility, perfectly suited for those who adore a layered aesthetic that tells a story. “Adding in vintage [pieces] allows a space to be completely unique and gives it more of a soul that is representative of the homeowners,” says Sarah Stacey of Sarah Stacey Interior Design. A playful blend of patterns and textures works best with an anchoring color palette (like the yellow, blue-green, and pink scheme above) and a carefully curated more-is-more approach.
5. Make the most of indoor-outdoor opportunities.
A well-appointed sunroom or enclosed porch promises the best of both worlds—a peaceful scenic escape with familiar indoor comforts. Let the view beyond your windows serve as the focal point, forgoing draperies and fussy décor that compete with the greenery and other natural elements in sight.
Traditionally used for entertaining and relaxing, these airy rooms are gaining popularity as places to work by day and prop up your feet by night. “People always long for a connection with the outdoors; it is in our DNA,” says Sarah. “We will continue seeing more accordion doors where you can open up an entire wall of a room to the outdoors. This allows for a more seamless transition, like the outdoors are becoming part of the actual room.”
6. Wallpaper a small space for a big impact.
There’s no denying it: wallpaper is back and better than ever. From lavish chinoiserie to modern motifs, beautiful options abound to suit every taste. A powder bath, laundry room, or butler’s pantry is the prime place to try out a print you love.
Find more home décor inspiration in our Southern Style Decorating 2022/2023 special issue, available on newsstands, online, and instantly on digital platforms.
