Pantone’s color of the year for 2023 is “Viva Magenta,” and that should tell you a lot about trends right now. Even without seeing the color, you can picture it: Attention-grabbing. Head-turning. This is not a color for the meek, and fabric styles are equally bold these days.
If bold isn’t exactly your style, don’t worry — you can use accent pieces that won’t overwhelm your room. But after years of working with palettes such as black and white, gray and white, gray and off-white, and white on white, many interior designers agree that maximalism is overtaking minimalism. “We’re seeing more mixing of patterns on all surfaces, especially in fabrics,” explains Lisa Floyd, director of interior design at Dallas-based Baker Design Group. “More is more.”
With that in mind, here’s a peek at five fabric trends on their way in.
Fabric trend No. 1: Animal and nature prints
Prints from the natural world are coming back in a big way. Find these prints in tapestry, crewel work and cut velvet for the biggest impact. And when it comes to animal prints, expect more than the patterns from their coats, says Traci Connell, principal lead designer of Traci Connell Interiors. “We’re seeing fabrics with large patterns of bear faces, deer, giraffes and more. Gone are the days of just cheetah prints. Bring on the day of full animal interpretations.” Don’t forget about botanicals, another way to bring nature into your home fabrics.
Fabric trend No. 2: Florals and damasks in fresh colors
“Especially in bedding, drapery and pillow fabric use, we see a resurgence of the ‘80s and even the ‘90s in patterns,” shares Floyd. Think florals and damasks with updated styles and colors.
Connell agrees that modern takes on throwback prints are becoming more popular. “This trend is one we saw across the board in High Point” — the largest home furnishings industry trade show — “and we know it will grace homes across the world in the upcoming year.” She expects traditional fabrics to make a showing in shades including ochre, rust, salmon, beiges and deep tones.
Fabric trend No. 3: Rich, deep reds
Anyone can incorporate shades of rich red into their style, whether you want to make a big statement or just add accents, notes Lisa Luby Ryan, principal designer of Lisa Luby Ryan Design & Build. “I lay my foundation in neutral, and then I pop an accent chair or pillows with these current fabrics because in five to eight years if someone’s tired of them, they never grow tired of their neutrals. You can change a pillow seasonally. You can change it every other year without having to make a huge reinvestment.”
Fabric trend No. 4: Stripes
Stripes come in all stripes this year, from textural to tonal variations, says Dallas interior designer Nicole Arnold. “Even though bold color is coming back, the monochromatic look hasn’t totally gone away. You can do grays and whites, but you have to do, say, six or seven different shades of grays and creams and whites.” Arnold also recommends using stripes on woven pieces, “a good nubby texture like a boucle, a chunky crochet or knit, something on a throw.”
Fabric trend No. 5: Artistry fabrics and trims
Jacquards, tapestry, lace, hand-beaded trims and other artisan touches will complete your look, no matter what style you favor. “We’re adding a lot of tape trims with beading,” says Arnold. “A lot of our furniture has fabric-wrapped applications like a tape trim around at the bottom of a coffee table or a linen wrapping on a table.”
Connell says her clients are looking for specialty fabrics with a handmade look. “Embroidery, unique looms and specialty weaves are making an entry into this year’s fabric trends. Homeowners are craving the textures, so they are turning to more expensive fabrics that are woven intricately.”