Make more space in your bedroom or guest room – or any room – with a Murphy bed. Also known as a wall bed, this unique bed frame folds up when not in use, concealing the mattress and presenting a solid exterior, sometimes styled as a cabinet. The advantage of a Murphy bed is the ability to regain floor space while the bed is not in use.

Making the choice to purchase and install a Murphy bed can feel daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the features and styles available. You’ll want to be sure that you select a bed that fits your objective for the room, is easy enough to raise and lower, and is durable enough to last. In this guide, learn about the types of Murphy beds available, the most important buying considerations, and where to find and buy a wall bed.

As you’ll see, there are a lot of considerations in choosing the right bed for the right space, and the desired result. Remember, I’m always here to help you determine what will work best for you, your needs, and critically important, your spaces.

What Is a Murphy Bed?

A Murphy bed mounts to the wall and features a folding mechanism to raise and lower the mattress as needed. When not in use, the bed may appear to look like a cabinet or built-in shelving.

Before Buying a Murphy Bed

When assessing your room, you may have realized you have a need to maximize your floor space. A Murphy bed is a great option for accomplishing this, since these beds fold up and out of the way when not in use. They’re often installed in guest rooms or offices that double as sleeping quarters for overnight visitors. However, you might consider buying a Murphy bed for a primary bedroom if you want to make the most out of the square footage you have available. In addition, tiny houses or studio living spaces can benefit from a Murphy bed. Set up your bed before you turn in for the night, then fold it up during the day to enjoy more room in your living space.

Buying Considerations for Murphy Beds

Room Layout

It’s important to consider your room layout when picking a Murphy bed. You should measure the dimensions of the space before you start your search. Most Murphy beds fold vertically, so you’ll need to know how much space you have to work with from the floor to the ceiling. Horizontal-folding Murphy beds are an option if you have low ceiling heights.

If your plan is to use a Murphy bed as a solution for a small space, then pay attention to the fully extended length of the bed when it is open. Be sure that you have enough space to open the bed and access it, including the end of the bed to raise it back up.

Material

Murphy beds can be made of various materials, including solid wood, manufactured wood or particleboard, and metal. Solid wood is one of the most durable options, but it’s also very heavy. Manufactured wood or particleboard is lighter, but may have a lower maximum weight limit and some long-term durability issues. Metal Murphy beds are durable and usually are paired with a wood cabinet or shelves.

Opening Mechanism

The lifting mechanism is one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a Murphy bed. Typically, these beds will feature one of the following lifts: piston (hinge) or spring. Alternatively, some Murphy beds have a manual opening mechanism, which means that you raise and lower the bed using your own strength.

Spring opening mechanisms were the first common lift for Murphy beds. The resistance of the spring can usually be adjusted to make it easier to raise the bed. Most modern spring-assisted opening mechanisms have features to prevent their sudden retraction.

A piston-lifting system uses pressurized arms and is an easy way to lift and lower a Murphy bed. Many piston-equipped beds have a locking mechanism that keeps the bed securely stored away when not in use.

Manual opening mechanisms are the simplest, with no springs or pistons to adjust. However, this means you’ll be supporting the full weight of the mattress and frame as you raise or lower the bed. For this reason, some manufacturers of Murphy beds with manual opening mechanisms recommend always having two people to set-up or store the bed.

Features

Integrated features can help you make the most of Murphy bed set-up. One of the appealing features when shopping for a Murphy bed might be storage, especially if you’re outfitting a studio space. Shelves or cabinets built into the side, bottom, or top of the frame surrounding the bed can give you space for storing blankets, bedding, clothes, or other essential items. Some Murphy beds offer a multi-tasking exterior design, giving you a built-in desk to use while the bed is not in use. Integrated LED lighting is another common feature, and especially helpful if you want the option to read in bed.

Styles of Murphy Beds

Wall Bed

While it’s true that the terms Murphy bed and wall bed can be used interchangeably to refer to a mounted bed, a wall bed is sometimes also used to describe a specific style of Murphy bed. Wall beds are usually integrated into a fixture that spans the majority, if not the entire span, of the wall. When closed, a wall bed may look like cabinets, a shelving unit, or a bookcase.

This style of Murphy bed might be an ideal option for someone that wants an inconspicuous look. The built-in look of the fixture conceals the fact that a bed is tucked inside. Wall beds that take up the majority (or all) of a wall are often more expensive and sometimes must be custom-built for a truly integrated look.

Cabinet Bed

Another style of Murphy bed is the cabinet bed. These beds may or may not be fixed to the wall; some are freestanding cabinets into which the bed folds. A cabinet bed is a more versatile option when compared to a larger, installed Murphy bed. It is a better choice for renters or anyone who lacks the wall space to install a mounted version. However, they may lack the size or some of the stability and storage offered by wall beds.

Cost

The cost of a Murphy bed varies, based mainly on its size and materials. For a queen-size Murphy bed made of solid wood, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. If you opt for a Murphy bed constructed of manufactured wood or particle board, the cost will be somewhat lower, perhaps between $1,000 and $1,800.

Other factors that influence product pricing include the opening mechanism (or lack thereof). Piston-assisted lifting systems increase the price of a Murphy bed while manual opening mechanisms are the most basic and cost-effective option. Finally, integrations such as storage or lighting can also add to the cost of a Murphy bed.

How to Choose a Murphy Bed

Murphy beds have experienced a resurgence in popularity since their first introduction to the mainstream market about a century ago. This has been spurred on by a variety of factors, including the move to maximize space and efficiency that has been part of the tiny house movement. As a result, you have many choices, depending on your specific needs and budget. When choosing a Murphy bed, you should consider the factors that will make the bed functional, user-friendly, and stylish for your space. Here are some of the most common factors to think about when choosing a Murphy bed.

Horizontal vs. Vertical

Start by determining whether you’re looking for a horizontal or vertical wall bed. This refers to the orientation of the mattress. Vertical wall beds are the most common and the foot of the bed raises and lowers. They take up less space on the wall, but use more space in the room when fully extended. Horizontal wall beds offer an alternative, especially in rooms that don’t have a lot of depth. These beds fold along their long edge, rather than raising and lowering the foot of the bed.

Mattress size

Murphy beds are made in sizes to match standard mattress sizing. You can find twin, full, queen, and king wall beds, although it’s worth pointing out that twin or queen size beds are the most common sizes. When shopping for a Murphy bed, keep in mind that you’ll also need to make sure your mattress depth is compatible with the design of the bed. Most Murphy beds can accommodate mattresses between 8 and 12 inches.

Will you have help to lower or raise the bed?

Keep in mind that Murphy beds can be heavy, especially when you factor in the weight of a mattress. Think about whether you will be doing the job of raising and lowering the bed alone or with the help of someone else. If you’ll be setting up and storing the bed on your own, then it makes sense to look for a lifting mechanism that can assist or is designed to be used by one person.

How often will you use the Murphy bed?

Consider whether or not you’re buying a Murphy bed for use every night or as an option for occasional guests. A freestanding, cabinet-style Murphy bed might be a better choice in an office that is regularly used for purposes other than sleeping visitors. But if the Murphy bed is going to be used every night in your bedroom or living space, then you might have additional needs for comfort, ease of use, or storage.

Other storage or functional uses

Are there things that you hope the Murphy bed will accomplish, besides being a comfortable place to end the day? If you are short on closet or storage space, then choosing a wall bed with integrated storage can make a big difference. Your bed linens or other items can be stored in the cabinets or drawers. Open shelves can be used for decor items or books. In addition, some wall beds are multi-functional furniture pieces, doubling as a desk or workspace.

Where to Shop

Buying In-Store

If you’re shopping for a Murphy bed in store, you’ll have the chance to check out its finish and function before buying. You should be able to see the bed in open and closed configurations and check out the lifting mechanism for yourself. It’s likely that you’ll be buying the bed in boxes, with final assembly completed at home. Some stores may offer white glove delivery to streamline the process.

Buying Online

The greatest variety of Murphy beds are available online. You’ll have more styles and finishes to choose from. Since you’re gathering details from a website, pay special attention to the dimensions, lifting mechanism, terms of any applicable warranty or return policies. You should also consider how much assembly will be required and whether or not the company offers white glove delivery.

Where to Buy a Murphy Bed

There are a variety of retailers that sell Murphy beds. If you want to buy a wall bed in person, then your best bet is likely to be a regional or national furniture store. Many more online retailers sell wall beds. Wayfair and Amazon are two of the most popular places to shop online for Murphy beds, but you can also find them at the online shopping sites for major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Home Depot. You can also shop online with retailers that exclusively or primarily sell wall beds, such as Lori Wall Beds, BredaBeds, or Resource Furniture.

Tips to Consider When Decorating a Room with a Murphy Bed

Take care of your plants, and they will take care of you by absorbing toxins and formaldehyde and generally cleansing the air you breathe.

How would you like to breathe easier and cleaner at home or in your office? You can do so by adding some selected house plants to your environment. Certain house plants are better than others at adding oxygen to your living space and improving the overall air quality in that space.

House Plants Do Clean the Air

The science behind this suggestion has been around for decades and actually started with a trio of investigators with NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. They reported that specific house plants were good at removing off-gassing elements from building materials and furnishings as well as air pollutants.

Plants are a natural air purifier because they produce oxygen from carbon dioxide (which you exhale) while also helping remove toxins from the air. Tiny openings in the leaves take in air, and the plant absorbs the carbon dioxide and other substances from that air.

While the plant uses carbon dioxide to make food, it then releases oxygen and water back into the air. Pollutants, on the other hand, are translocated to the roots of the plant, where they may be broken down, used by the plant, or released into the soil.

The use of plants to remove harmful elements from the air is called phytoremediation. If you want to breathe easier at home or at work, feel good about the air you breathe and know you are providing yourself and your family with better air quality, then consider adding one or more of the following air-purifying plants to your home or office space. We will even tell you how to make that plant flourish so you can reap the most benefits from it.

Which House Plants Can Clean the Air?

Aloe Vera: This succulent is probably best known for its ability to help in the treatment of burns and cuts. However, it also takes in benzene and formaldehyde.

If you want a healthy aloe vera, keep it in a sunny place. It also should be planted in a pot with many drainage holes, because the plant does not do well in standing water.

Areca Palm: This tropical plant can live in just about any indoor environment. It has broad fronds that are adept at absorbing formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.

Be aware, however, that the areca palm can top seven feet in height. If you purchase a small plant, it will grow about 6 to 10 inches a year in indirect sunlight. These plants do enjoy water and fertilizer.

Bamboo Palm: This plant loves the tropics as well as bright, indirect sunlight. Placing the bamboo palm in your environment will help remove trichloroethylene, a toxin that can damage the kidneys and liver.

Care for your bamboo palm by watering it when the soil is dry. Never overwater the palm or let it sit in water, or it will rot.

Boston Ferns: This frond-rich plant does more than improve oxygen levels. The Boston fern also assists in removing formaldehyde from the air. Exposure to formaldehyde is associated with irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, which suggests having a few Boston ferns in any area prone to formaldehyde exposure could be helpful.

Items associated with formaldehyde exposure include cigarettes, carpet, permanent press fabrics, cleaning agents, fertilizers, cosmetics, paints, varnishes, preserved foods, and insulation for electrical uses.

If you welcome a Boston fern into your environment, be prepared to give it a lot of space. The beautiful fronds enjoy soil that is rich in peat moss and is watered frequently and stays wet. You also should mist the plant once or twice a week for best growth.

Gerber (aka, Gerbera) Daisies: If you like to color-coordinate your space, then Gerber daisies could be a good choice. These flowers are available in a variety of colors (e.g., bright red or orange, yellow, medium and striking pink, peach, light purple, and white) and sport broad, green leaves that absorb benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Gerber daisies enjoy direct sunlight and moist soil. For best results, don’t allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Peace Lilies: Do you know which pollutants are lurking in your home or office? If two of them are benzene and trichloroethylene, then it’s time to get some peace lilies.

If you want to grow this beautiful plant, you should know they do not tolerate the cold and that they enjoy a warm, humid climate. They thrive in well-draining soil and indirect light. They can be toxic to pets and humans, so it’s important to wash your hands after touching the plant, and not place them in a home with pets.

Snake Plant (aka, mother-in-law’s tongue): The snake plant comes in a combination of yellow and dark and light greens. It effectively removes formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. These toxins are often present in enclosed buildings.

This tough plant likes dry soil, so don’t water it too often because the roots can easily rot. Avoid getting the leaves wet when watering. Snake plants prefer indirect light.

Spider Plant: If you want a plant that is super resilient and easy to care for, this is the one. Spider plants can absorb many different indoor pollutants while gracing your room with its long, flowing leaves.

Be sure to give your spider plant lots of bright yet indirect light. It does best in well-drained soil and when the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings.

Weeping Fig: This official tree of Bangkok will look great and perform well in any room, but especially those with carpeting and furniture that may be off-gassing. That’s because the weeping fig helps remove pollutants from these items.

You can keep your weeping fig healthy by providing consistent temperatures and lots of indirect sunlight. Provide the plant with well-draining soil and only water it when the first two inches of soil are dry.

Bottom Line

Using house plants in your home or office is a great, eco-friendly way to clean the air of toxins.

If you’d like to explore how plants can clean the air and brighten your interiors, I’m always available for a consultation to help you decide on the best plants for your levels of light, ease of maintenance, and other conditions in your home or business. There are many options and almost always perfect solutions for any space. If interested, let’s talk more about decorating with plants that can cleanse the air you breathe. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

New season, new palette. Here are some colorful blooms in spring 2023 paint trends.

As we’ve said goodbye to the winter blues, homeowners and decorators are embracing the fresh new looks that spring brings. For some, embracing the seasonal shift is as easy as assembling a bouquet of flowers or adding some new accessories to the mix. 

But for those who are really looking for a change, a fresh coat of paint is the color equivalent to spring cleaning. Though applying it may require some extra time and elbow grease, the right shade can seemingly transform your space overnight. (Or however long it takes for your paint to dry.)

Oftentimes, spring and pastel colors go together like primer and a brush roller—but there’s more to this season than blushes and sky blues. “Consumers have grown more confident in their taste after spending much time at home in lockdown,” explains Gemma Riberti, WGSN’s head of interiors. “Color becomes the paramount way to update a space without major investments or renovations.”

With the rainbow renaissance in full swing, versatile neutrals and bold, can’t-look-away colors are fair game this season. The catch, Riberti says, is that many people are giving their preferred palette a tonal spin. “It’s about layering the same color in two different intensities or saturation,” she adds.

So many options, so little space—so where to begin? After all, choosing one color from all of the swatches is by no means easy. Though beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, Riberti is sharing the top hues to keep an eye on. From lights to brights, there’s bound to be a shade you’ll love—this spring and beyond.

Earthy Greens

We have to respectfully disagree with you, Kermit: It’s never been easier to be green than this spring.

When the shelter-in-place order went into effect in 2020, biophilic tones like browns and greens mimicked the connection with the great outdoors that so many people desperately craved. Fast-forward three years and verdant tones have become a mainstay in many homes. But this season, we’re not just talking about any old green. Specifically, “Mossy, verdigris, and lichen greens, in particular, are coming to the fore,” Riberti explains.

“What is interesting is seeing them being treated as neutrals,” she continues. “Layering the green walls and furnishings with plants, for instance; [the color is] also ideal for cabinetry.”

Terra-Cotta Reds

Speaking of the color wheel’s outdoorsy offerings, the muted reds that naturally occur in the wild shouldn’t be discounted.

“Russet reds, rust, terra-cotta, amber, burnt sienna, and the like are important,” Riberti explains. “They have an artisanal and sunbaked quality that warms up interiors year-round and works across materials both hard and soft.”

When it comes to interior design, red might elicit visions of Big’s accent wall in Sex and the City. Fortunately, this season’s volcanic tones are considerably less saturated, making it possible for them to fit in a variety of rooms.

“An amber glow is key to this color group, infusing interiors with sunlight,” Riberti adds. “Walls in hospitality and residential projects alike are clad in this tactile terra-cotta pigment, daring this color [to be used] as a kitchen backsplash or in the entryway as well as warming up north-facing rooms.”

Though softer reds might seem like a design dark horse, they’ve been on the industry’s radar for quite some time. In fact, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams named Raspberry Blush and Redend Point as their 2023 Colors of the Year, respectively.

Light Blue

Equal parts calming and cool, blue has been a consistent power player on the color wheel. But as spring emerges, expect to see a surge of sky, powder, and whisper-soft blues.

Though the deep, notoriously dramatic navy has historically been an obvious choice, Riberti argues that “tranquil blues are also very important to the conversation.” She explains, “We are seeing this quality of blue across a broad spectrum of applications, from displays and beautiful walls and floors to decorative items and furniture.”

Fittingly enough, Chairish predicted that a cornflower color called French Blue would be trending in 2023. As the brand says, “It’s a sophisticated but often subtle way to make a color statement without shouting.”

With the ability to transcend time and trend, lighter blues can be treated as neutrals. While sprinkling in various shades of lapis and cobalt can put blue front and center, this trendy tone will look particularly good with warm woods, pinks, and hints of burgundy, Riberti says.

Lilac

Spring might be perpetually synonymous with light, airy pastels, but Riberti says this tried-and-true palette will look different this year. “Overall, pastels are moving away from candy sugary hues and taking on a more nuanced, more refined direction,” she explains. This season, trade in traditional blushes and soft yellows for a head-turning lilac.

Of course, you’re not the only one who feels the lavender haze creeping up on you: WGSN dubbed Digital Lavender as its 2023 Color of the Year—and for good reason.

“It’s a sensorial shade that connects to holistic well-being and digital optimism,” the trend forecasting company previously told ELLE DECOR. “This shade poses that much-needed cautious optimism and escapism that people are craving post-pandemic, and even in times of budget crunch, it is imaginative and creative but also speaks of hope and balance.”

Purple is a downright regal choice for wall paint—but Riberti says it’s also an in-demand option for window treatments and ombré tiles.

Textural Black

Though spring and deeper tones may seem at odds with each other, this season is swinging the pendulum toward the dark side. While deep reds and aubergines are trending, Riberti says black is “widely present.” But since black is a drastic shade, it’s important to think strategically about how it fits in your home.

“It is quite dramatic as an effect, so it needs to be used considerately,” she adds. “Nonetheless, dark and textural materials are an important direction at recent shows, especially on wood.”

Instead of coating your floors or walls with an inky black, a touch of noir will feel a tad fresher on wainscoting or window trims.

Fiery Oranges

Calling all maximalists: Spring is encouraging you to fully embrace your bold streak.

“There is definitely a lot more demand for bolder hues, even in paint,” Riberti shares, citing lime green, fuchsia, and fiery oranges as the ones to watch.

Though there will always be space for neutrals, uplifting brights offer something different: a moment for celebration. “There’s that need for joyfulness and unapologetic exuberance that is driving the rise of energetic brights,” Riberti adds. “The growing confidence in self-expression via color translates into a seemingly eclectic yet considerate mixing and matching of different levels in fresh plays on highs and lows.”

If you’re new to statement shades, Riberti says painting your cabinets or doors is a suitable starting step.

Warm Neutrals

Contrary to popular belief, spring’s trendiest colors don’t have to be fleeting. “Color choices should be based on the comfort level of the people within a given space,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

If your personal palette skews more toward the subtler end of the color spectrum, you can’t go wrong with light-as-air neutrals. Not only did Behr name a warm white called Blank Canvas its 2023 Color of the Year, Pantone pegged neutral as a top pigment pick. According to Pantone’s View Home + Interiors 2023 trend report, welcoming creams and ivories “suggest an enduring interest in notes of classic luxury.”

Riberti agrees, noting that spring’s overall palette represents “care and well-being, and the many facets this embodies—from restorative neutrals to nourishing naturals.” And should you want to experiment with spring’s other popular pigments, a warm neutral provides a wonderful backdrop for them.

The color lineup for spring is mostly matching up with color trends discussed in January, when winter was still well upon us. Ms. Riberti was discussing color trends on the horizon for 2023. A couple of unexpected additions like “textural black” have added some interesting possibilities. I’m always available to help you find your best color palette for your personal spaces.

If spring has you itching for a color upgrade, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399. I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation to explore some beautiful color territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Plus, how to decide if you should undertake a renovation or a remodel (or neither).

If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s that a dream home wasn’t built (or purchased, or designed) in a day. 

As more and more homeowners are grappling with a competitive real estate market, limited resources, and major material delays, doing anything to improve our homes – or find a new one – can feel like a serious pipe dream.

If you’ve decided to sit tight on your property and put in a little sweat equity to make it the home of your dreams, you’re not alone. According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study, 55 percent of homeowners anticipate taking on a renovation this year, a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. 

Here’s the thing, though – while you may be using the terms “renovation” and “remodel” interchangeably, there’s actually a distinct difference between the two when it comes to industry speak, and the more you can decipher what it is you want, the better you’ll be able to communicate with any contractors, architects, and designers you hire.

In this kitchen renovation, the designer relied on well-worn brick and bespoke cabinetry to transform an already functional layout.

So, what is considered a renovation?

Plainly speaking, most pros consider a renovation to be cosmetic improvements to a space that don’t involve changing its intended purpose. This could constitute a range of projects, ranging in budget (and impact) both big and small. 

Take a kitchen for example; a renovation of the space may include things like painting or replacing cabinetry, upgrading the countertops, or even installing new light fixtures. There’s no denying these changes can have a serious impact on how you live in the space—they can even increase your equity in your home. 

That being said, you are not changing the overall structure of your space, making “renovation” the right identifier for this type of project.

A remodel transformed this space in an 1880s textile mill in Atlanta into a home, complete with a new loft-like layout geared towards modern living.

What is a remodel?

On the flip side, a remodeling project is any venture where you set out to drastically change the overall function or purpose of a space. 

Whether you’re looking to add a primary bathroom to your bedroom or want to create an open floorplan between your living room, dining room, and kitchen, those are all major structural changes. 

While there are exceptions, a remodeling project will almost always cost more than a renovation project, thanks in large part to the need for more specialized contractors, permits, and design pros. 

It may take a bit more planning, but a remodel is often a great way to make a house function better for your needs and infuse it with customizations suited to your lifestyle.

How do I choose between a renovation and remodel?

When deciding whether either type of project is right for you, it’s important to consider what your end goals for your home are. 

Are you looking to make it more in line with your preferred aesthetics or drag it out of the 80s time warp it seems to be stuck in? Renovate away. 

Want to add a room for inlaws to spend the weekend or a private space for newly-minted teenagers to hang out with friends? A remodel may be more your speed.

Budget is also an important consideration. 

If a remodel is on your horizon five or more years down the road, there still may be some low-key renovations you can undertake in the meantime (think: new fixtures, upgraded floors) to ensure you love your space in the interim.

Then there’s the elephant in the room: Maybe you’re just in the wrong house for you. 

Before undertaking a renovation or remodel (or really, sinking any large amount of money into your home), it’s important to have an honest conversation with yourself as to whether the space is worth investing in. 

“We get people who want to know, ‘Should I invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in this house or not?’” designer Victoria Sass told House Beautiful for their 2021 Renovation Issue. 

“At some point, it’s not a good investment if what you really want is a different house. It’s like a marriage: Is this the one, or are you trying to make it into something it’ll never be?”

Because I’m also a realtor, I can help you get into THE home of your dreams, and help you stage and sell the one you’re in. And I’m here to remodel and/or renovate as needed for your new forever home. I can do it all for you, and I can help you determine whether you’re already in your forever home

Ready to take the next steps? 

Whether you’ve decided that a renovation or a remodel is right for your space, your best bet is to consult with me to help you navigate everything from drawing up floorplans to securing permits (which yes, you may still need with a renovation!). 

Oh, and don’t forget to set aside plenty of inspiration! I’ve totally got your back on that.

A home renovation or remodel adds value and substance to what is likely one of your most significant investments and allows you to make a house truly your own.

If you have a project you’ve been thinking about, give me a call. And it doesn’t have to be big. Some of my favorite design jobs have been for smaller rooms and areas.

I’d love to discuss with you how to turn your ordinary space into an extraordinary place.

Choose a contact method below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com

And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

An area rug can pull together a room’s design elements, ground the space, and give it a cohesive look. A quality rug can be a big investment, though, so it’s important that you find ones that best suit your style and space. Before you commit to purchasing a trending look, be sure to read my other article, “How to Choose the Right Rug” to get some smart rug ideas.

The Right Area Rug Can Complete Your Space

Whether you’re looking for the perfect area rug to finish off a room, or just want to know what’s trending for 2023, I’ve got your back. Here is a sampling of five rug trends that will set your space apart in the new year.

Rug Trend #1: Vintage-Style Rugs

Whether it’s a hand-me-down from your grandmother or just made to look that way, vintage-inspired rugs are still in style and trending strong. Their traditional patterns, intricate designs, and soft florals lend a warmth that makes any room feel homey.

Just because it has a vintage look doesn’t mean it has to be stuffy. Pair your favorite vintage style rugs with contemporary furniture for a traditional-meets-modern look that infuses your home with cozy, chic style.

A new take on this repeat trend features distressed rugs in monochrome palettes that have varying hues of all one color, or shades that are similar to each other like blues and purples, orange and reds, or even shades of gray. New vintage-inspired rugs can even have modern, abstract or geometric patterns, but will have a well-worn patina and/or distressed look.

Rug Trend #2: 70s Shag Style

The 70s are having a heyday in fashion, with everything from shaggy haircuts to crochet tops becoming popular again. This resurgence in the 1970s aesthetic has influenced home design trends too, by inspiring interior designers to use materials with interesting textures, earthy hues, and even curved furniture and decor. Perhaps none of these trends are more quintessentially 70s than the shag carpet.

Named after its shaggy rug piles, this ultra plush carpet is often seen in vibrant colors, but looks great in neutrals too. Once the disdain of new homeowners, shag carpeting has gone in and out of popularity over the years. Now, it’s back, but with a modern look and more palatable color options. Whether bold or neutral, shag rugs will infuse your home with personality and a lush look.

Rather than wall-to-wall shag, try strategically placing shag rugs in lower-traffic areas like bedrooms and offices for a pop of irresistible texture. They’ll last longer and are less likely to trap unwanted dirt and objects in their snag-able pile. Also, look for shag rugs made of natural fibers like wool rather than synthetic ones. While wool rugs are more expensive, they’ll last longer and keep their fluffy texture better than alternatives.

Rug Trend #3: Mixed Pile Rugs

For transitional areas and multi-functional spaces, a mixed pile rug might be just what you need. This trend is taking off, with more rugs featuring a blend of both high and low piles. They’re great for a variety of uses because they incorporate the coziness of a high pile rug with the clean look – and durability – of a low pile one. With fibers at varying lengths, these rugs add low-key texture and undeniable interest to your space.

For a fresh take, check out the biophilic design trend which is a philosophy that incorporating the outside world into interior decor can increase mental health and decrease stress. This popular trend is slated to continue growing through 2023. Applying a biophilic design approach to area rugs would be as simple as finding rugs made of natural materials and those with textures and designs that mimic organic objects found in nature.

Rug Trend #4: Mismatched and Layered Rugs

Another retro-inspired look that we will see more of in 2023 is the mismatched and layered rug trend. Taking cues from boho and maximalist styles, this trend is all about creating a relaxed yet eclectic vibe in your home. Layering a patchwork of smaller rugs lends great texture and coziness to your space. Group rugs with similar colors together for a toned-down vibe or pair rugs with varying weave, patterns, and colors for a more bold approach.

Great for apartments, this look gives you the benefits of all-over carpet while staying fresh and flexible. You can rearrange your rugs with the changing seasons for an updated look. This trend is perfect for those looking for new ways to use their old rugs and works well with the vintage trend too.

Trend #5: Rugs in Unexpected Places

This final rug trend for 2023 includes placing rugs in unexpected places, like kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, or unused corners. We’re seeing more designers doing this, as it adds ambiance, comfort, and style to areas that tend to be devoid of personality.

This trend makes it easy to carry your style throughout a space, including the oft-ignored and high-traffic areas of your home. Small area rugs work well for this and are often more budget-friendly and easier to refresh or replace as trends change. If you aren’t sure what size rug you need, click the link for a really handy Rug Size Guide.

Freshen Up Your Floors with an Area Rug that’s Perfect for Your Style.

Whether shopping for something completely new for next year or just looking to revive your current decor, take these 2023 area rug ideas and customize your space with a fresh look and beautiful floors that match your favorite aesthetic. And just let me know if you’d like me to help you with that.

It’s easy to reach me! You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some exciting living room decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Your living room (or any main room) typically isn’t complete without a rug. But with so many options out there, finding the best one can be like trying to solve a puzzle.

The right area rug will pull a room together and is something you can keep for years.

For a primary room to feel pulled together, most designers will tell you, it needs a rug.

But area rugs can be expensive. And because a large-scale item like that is going to have a big effect on the way a room looks and feels, choosing one can be intimidating. The right rug may live in your home for decades. The wrong rug will serve as a daily reminder of the money you wasted — and the money you’ll have to spend if you want to replace it.

And getting it wrong is all too easy, given the range of materials, colors, patterns, and sizes available. Finding the ideal rug, observed the New York-based interior designer Celerie Kemble, is a “complicated puzzle.”

To help you solve that puzzle, Ms. Kemble and other designers and rug manufacturers offer good advice.

Use One or a Few

There is no rule that says you have to limit yourself to a single area rug in the living room. Designers often use multiple area rugs in larger rooms to define different areas. So how do you know whether one or a few is best?

A boldly patterned rug can serve as the defining feature of a living area.

Smaller spaces, and living rooms enclosed by walls and doorways, usually benefit from a single large rug.

“I’m often dealing with apartments where the goal is to expand the sense of usable space in a living room,” Ms. Kemble said. In those cases, “I usually want to use one rug, and make it as big as I possibly can.”

Sprawling, open-concept spaces, like lofts, are more likely to benefit from multiple rugs, which help ground disparate groupings of furniture and can be used to separate a living area from a dining or media area, in the absence of walls.

Can’t Decide? Then Layer Them

Another option is to layer rugs on top of each other, with a single large, plain rug on the bottom to cover most of the floor, and smaller decorative rugs on top to anchor different seating areas.

“One of my favorite tricks is to use a very big sisal rug, which is relatively inexpensive, and then layer softer, plusher kilims or dhurries on top at the seating areas,” Ms. Kemble said. “It tells everybody, by the enormity of the sisal, that you’re all at the same party.”

For a living room in Wilton, Conn., Carrier and Company layered an antique Persian rug over a larger sisal rug.

Determine the Size

It is important to work around a room’s obstructions when planning a rug purchase.

“We always start with the practical and then get to the decorative, while considering the architecture and mechanics” of a home, said Jesse Carrier, a principal of Carrier and Company, a New York interior design firm. “Are there doorways and door swings to consider? Is there any floor grille for HVAC that you don’t want to cover? Is there a fireplace where you have to deal with a hearth?”

After taking these details into account, consider circulation around the seating areas.

“There’s nothing worse than being forced to walk on the perimeter of a rug,” Ms. Kemble said, with one foot on and one foot off.

Choose a size that either completely covers the walkway or leaves the floor exposed where people need to pass by. Then decide how far beyond the furniture the rug should extend. A common way to size a rug is to ensure that it reaches underneath all four feet of all the furniture.

Or you could use a smaller rug that runs under the front feet of the sofas and chairs, and stops there. Just make sure that smaller objects at the rug’s edges, like end tables and floor lamps, are completely on or off the rug, Mr. Carrier said: “You don’t want unbalanced, rocking end tables every time you put something down.”

What about small rugs that float in the center of a room, untethered by sofa and chair legs? Many experts advise against them.

“Small rugs look a little bit lost and unfinished,” said Susanna Joicey-Cecil, the marketing director for the Rug Company, in London. “It can feel like a postage stamp, which is not so pleasing for the eye.”

All the living room furniture in a home in Cartagena, Colombia, designed by Richard Mishaan, sits on a large wool Sandeep rug from Patterson Flynn Martin.

Choose a Patterned or Plain Area Rug

A boldly patterned rug can serve as the defining feature of a living area, but because it has so much impact, it’s a choice that requires courage. Deciding whether to go with a graphic statement rug or something more understated comes down to personal preference, as well as your overall design vision and where your home is.

“In the city, oftentimes clients will want to invest in an antique carpet from an auction or one of the great rug vendors as a showpiece,” Mr. Carrier said. But in country homes and beach houses, “we’ll often do some sort of sisal, sea-grass or coir carpet, because it’s a little more informal and rustic.”

If you decide to shop for a patterned rug, there are endless choices available, from free-form contemporary designs to more traditional ones. But if you’d rather keep it simple, there are plenty of opportunities to introduce pattern at a smaller scale.

Celerie Kemble designed the Catalyst wool-and-linen rug for Merida, and used it as a feature element in a home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

“For more laid-back, Zen environments, there are fantastically beautiful sisals with patterns in them, like herringbones and subtle stripes,” said Richard Mishaan, a New York-based interior designer. “To dress them up a bit, add a fabulous binding in leather or suede. It doesn’t increase the price enormously, but it’s very chic and beautiful.”

Pick a Material

Rugs come in many materials, including plant-based fibers like cotton, linen, sisal, jute and allo; downy, natural fibers like wool, silk, and mohair; and synthetic materials like nylon and solution-dyed acrylic. There are also nonwoven rugs made from stitched-together materials like cowhide.

Each offers a different look and feel, with varying characteristics related to how well the materials wear and how easy they are to clean. They also range widely in price.

Rugs made from plant-based materials are often among the most affordable and offer an easy, casual look. But different fibers have different durability: Cotton and linen, for instance, age fairly quickly, while sisal and allo can take more abuse.

“We’ve had some disasters with linen,” Mr. Carrier said, “which is very, very beautiful” — at least when it’s new. But because it is easily damaged by wear and spills, he added, “we’ve had to replace a lot of linen rugs in our time, and now avoid them like the plague.”

Allo, on the other hand, is “very cleanable and doesn’t retain stains,” he said.

A custom-designed wool rug anchors a seating area in a modernist house in New Canaan, Conn., with interiors by Carrier and Company.

One of the most popular materials is wool, which can offer a range of looks depending on how it’s handled, from thin, flat weaves to hairy, hand-knotted shags. Wool tends to be more expensive than most plant-based materials, but it is stain resistant, softer underfoot, and durable enough to last for centuries.

“Wool has lanolin in it, which makes it a very cleanable, stain-resistant fiber,” said Bethany Hopf, a sales manager at the House of Tai Ping carpet company, in New York. “When you spill, it sits on top for a little while before it will actually absorb,” which gives you time for cleanup.

Even when a spill soaks in, she said, “we have a lot of success getting stains out.”

The same cannot be said for silk, which is generally more expensive and delicate, but has a softer feel and a lustrous sheen. Some upscale rugs are made entirely from silk, while others combine wool and silk to create various effects.

In patterned rugs, “very often we have a wool background and then highlight the motif with silk, because it helps it pop,” said Ms. Joicey-Cecil, of the Rug Company. “You can have lots of fun playing with those two textures, because the silk has a lot of sheen to it.”

A Brink Ivory wool-and-silk rug by Kelly Wearstler for the Rug Company extends under the front feet of a sofa, while smaller objects, like the end table and floor lamp, sit on the bare wood floor for stability.

But Ms. Kemble cautioned that mixed-fiber rugs can be difficult to clean: “Silk can’t take water, but wool needs water to be cleaned. So when you have silk-and-wool mixes, it creates hard-to-sort problems once there’s a spill.”

Consider Indoor-Outdoor Area Rug Options

If spills and stains from children and pets are a concern, it may be a good idea to choose an indoor-outdoor area rug made from a synthetic material like solution-dyed acrylic, polypropylene or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which are now often so soft and appealing that they can be hard to distinguish from indoor-only materials.

The Akimbo I wool-and-silk rug from Edward Fields takes center stage in a small sunroom.

“They’re impenetrable: You can’t stain them; you can’t ruin them,” said Mr. Carrier, who replaced a wool rug with a nylon one in his own home when his children were younger, then switched to sisal when they grew up. “In certain applications, that’s the way to go.”

Don’t Forget the Rug Pad

It’s tempting to bring a rug home and put it down immediately, but there’s a step you shouldn’t skip: putting a nonslip rug pad underneath.

Cut the pad to a size slightly smaller than the carpet. A general rule is that it should be trimmed about an inch shorter than the rug on all sides, to provide maximum grip while preventing a visible change in level where the rug transitions from pad to floor.

Rug pads offer a touch of additional cushioning, Ms. Hopf said. But their real utility is more “about keeping it in place and preserving the life of the carpet,” she said.

In other words, it ensures that your new rug won’t slide like a banana peel

Here are my Pro-Tips on how to choose the perfect area rug:

It seems that shag is back, and, while we typically associate the deep-pile carpet with the ’60s and ’70s – hello, Carol and Mike Brady’s living room – the origins of the shag rug are in fact more ancient than vintage.

Referred to by many different names – rya, berber, flokati, tulu – the shag rug has a long and colorful history. In Greece, flokati rugs were popular as early as the 4th century B.C., when Alexander the Great used flokati wool in his tents and clothing during his military campaigns. (Think Colin Farrell in Alexander keeping warm with a shag rug.) Centuries earlier in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the shepherding Beni Ourain tribes began weaving wool into blankets, and by the mid-20th century had attracted such famed devotees as Le Coubusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eero Saarinen. Today these Beni Ourain rugs are some of the most highly prized.

Coming in a variety of colors, materials, and weights, there is sure to be a shag for everybody. So kick off your shoes and get comfortable – here are some shag rugs to keep you cozy all through the house.

Ashik wool rug

Turkish Tulu rug

Cassadaga tufted shag rug

Safavieh Paris shag rug

Pottery Barn Lange Kilim shag rug

NuLoom ombré shag rug

Marit shag rug

Justina Blakeney Fable Rug in marine and gold

Jonathan Adler Meurice shag rug

Joa Herrenknecht Zenith shag rug

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If you’d like to explore a shag area rug for your home (or business) environment but aren’t sure where to start, let me know and I can show you how to find the perfect shag rug for your needs and aesthetic, or I can source it for you. There are a lot of things to consider like size, color(s), texture, and pile, just for starts, and I can definitely help you with all of that.

You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some exciting living room decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Buckle up for a rainbow renaissance.

“There isn’t a shade or color I’ve ever seen that I haven’t liked,” Mario Buatta, with characteristic wit, observed. The late great decorator, who passed away in 2018, would be pleased, then, to see the spectrum of shades and tints that are poised to dominate our homes in the year ahead. Gone are the days of straight-laced, all-white rooms; instead, as we emerge from three (have I got that right?) years of uncertainty, experts predict a rainbow-bright renaissance in 2023 colors.

“The colors [consumers] choose are reflecting their mood—and they are much freer in how, when, and where they use it on themselves and in their homes,” Gemma Riberti, head of interiors at the trend forecasting agency WGSN, tells us. “Going into 2023, color is reflecting well-being, discovery, acceptance, transformation, comfort, simplicity, and (why not) pleasure.”

While some of these observations might sound like sound bites from your last therapy session, the “It” hues I’ve seen come to the fore these last few years show a collective desire for coziness and a closeness to nature (read: green-everything) and more expressive materials (see one of the year’s biggest trends, bold marble). “One of the most significant themes we’ve identified for the 2023 colors is warmth,” Sherwin-Williams’s Sue Wadden affirms. “People are moving away from the cool grays that defined the past decade and exploring hues that exude kindness, serenity, and empathy.”

There were also some surprises in the mix, according to the color experts we spoke to, namely the emergence of a genre of, literally, out-of-this-world colors: “Near-neons and hyper-brights are also making a comeback, driven by the metaverse, with colors making an impact in both digital and physical realms,” Ribaldi says. That entails vivid, bold hues—especially as Gen Zers begin decorating their first homes.

But if you aren’t entirely ready to paint your bedroom acid green just yet, read on for a list of the seven color trends that will be all the rage in 2023.

Green: Sage is giving way to deeper emerald green in 2023 colors.

The color experts have said it before and they’re saying it again: Green shows no sign of fading in our homes, and it’s a surefire bet—whether you opt for a soothing sage or a pale pistachio—the hue will remain in fashion for years to come. “We’ve definitely seen an increased interest in greens this year, with that shade representing three of our top six colorways for 2022,” says Natalie Ebel, copresident of direct-to-consumer paint brand Backdrop. But while last year paint companies were predicting dusty verdant variations (for instance, Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Color of the Year, October Mist), Ebel, along with many other experts, predicted an uptick in punchier, truer greens and emeralds.

What makes green, well, evergreen? International color expert and executive director at Pantone’s Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman, makes the case for its beauty as a neutral. “My students hear me lecture over and over and over again about using green as a neutral color,” she says. “Mother Nature uses it ubiquitously in plants and foliage.” Watch for this hue in everything from marble to tile to furnishings in the year ahead.

Cool Lavenders and Lilacs: Lavender and lilac hues are rising in popularity among Gen Zers.

An emerging color trend that demonstrates the power of newly initiated Gen-Z consumers is the rise of soft, dusty shades of lavender and lilac. 1stDibs, the digital antiques marketplace, saw interest in lavender spike in 2022, up to 14 percent over 6 percent approval the previous year. WGSN forecasters, meanwhile, spotted the shade—which they’ve dubbed “Digital Lavender”—everywhere from Jil Sanders collections to Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles to Andrés Reisinger virtual furniture.

Riberti, along with WGSN’s color strategist Clare Smith, predict the color will dominate tabletop and soft furnishings, in addition to our walls. “It’s a sensorial shade that connects to holistic well-being and digital optimism,” they tell us. “This shade poses that much-needed cautious optimism and escapism that people are craving post-pandemic, and even in times of budget crunch, it is imaginative and creative but also speaks of hope and balance.”

It also speaks to nostalgia: Smith and Riberti have noticed it paired with chrome, glass, and other reflective surfaces, an indication that the ’80s are officially back. 1stDibs also saw a correlation between soft powdery pastels and an increase in ’80s-era interest.

Orange: Flame orange is dousing some walls lately.

Orange, as Pantone’s Eiseman pointed out, has consistently remained “at the bottom of the totem pole.” But her team’s research has indicated that the hue is “definitely on board for next year.” It’s a trend also mirrored in WGSN’s reporting: “Saturated tones will return yet in solid color statements, enabling new forms of self-expression,” Riberti says, like fiery orange. And while some designers might opt for saturated versions of the shade on walls, many will use the pigment to add pop to furnishings and accents. “It’s the combination,” Eiseman says. “There are creative opportunities to put colors together that really tax your imagination.” (I’ll add: in a good way)

But homeowners and designers are also drawn to earthier, terra-cotta-tinged shades. In fact, according to 1stDibs’s latest trend research, burnt orange was its third most popular color, behind (you guessed it) emerald and sage green.

Light Brown: Milk chocolate never looked so delectable.

Forget gray; brown is 2023’s new neutral. In fact, all varieties of this cozy shade are appearing in the color-forecasting tea leaves. “Light browns, dark browns, and beiges are making a comeback because of their earthiness, meaning they ground us and help us feel more connected to the beauty and restorative properties of nature,” says Wadden of Sherwin-Williams.

Before you start getting flashbacks of generic ’90s tract home dens, consider the versatility of today’s beige: “What we’re seeing with the neutrals is that there are many more nuanced neutrals that seem to have an undertone that really pops out at you,” says Pantone’s Eiseman. ELLE DECOR editors are also spotting a variety of finishes with these trending tints, ranging from lustrous taupe lacquer to textured limewash in spaces from kitchens to bedrooms.

Mustard: For ’70s flare, you might try giving your walls a mustard makeover.

Do you prefer honey or dijon? Yellow or hearty whole grain? Whatever your preference for mustard, it’s a go for 2023 colors. In addition to Raspberry Blush, Benjamin Moore named the khaki-colored Savannah Green as part of its forecast for next year. “Almost like gold leaf for your walls, this rich ochre features a balanced undertone of green and yellow,” the hue’s description reads. Chairish, the vintage furniture online marketplace, saw an increase in searches for mustard-colored items on its platform. For our part, we’ve been seeing varieties of mustard everywhere from walls to textured bouclés.

Rose: A lovely, warm unexpected neutral in 2023 colors.

Next year’s outlook is rosy, according to color forecasters—from bright fuchsias to delicate, neutral-leaning pinks. On the subtle end of the spectrum, Sherwin-Williams inaugurated Redend Point, a serene gray-pink, as its 2023 Color of the Year. “This gorgeous hue tells a story about warmth, exploration, and the importance of self-care, and is the perfect example of the warm, versatile, and unexpected neutrals we expect will become increasingly sought after in 2023,” Wadden tells us.

Pantone, meanwhile, named Viva Magenta! as its frontrunner for 2023 colors – a jubilant purply red that felt in line with the digital-first zeitgeist and “this idea of needing more energy, more vim and more vigor,” Eiseman tells us. Mauve is also making moves, 1stDibs predicts; the company saw a 4 percent increase in interest for mauve in 2022, another indication that the ’80s vibes are in our future.

And there’s more: Benjamin Moore named Raspberry Blush 2008-30 as its color-to-watch of 2023. “We love seeing Raspberry Blush on all four walls to make a bold color statement,” Arianna Cesa, the company’s associate manager of color marketing and development notes. “We particularly love it in a dining room as a modern, blushed update on the classic deep red dining room. For those who want to dip their toe into bold color, it’s great for an accent wall, a ceiling, painted furniture, or trim.”

Powder Blue: A feel-good soft trend that adds balance.

Softness has been trending in a major way across the homefront, ranging from amorphous shapes to fuzzy finishes. It’s also appearing in our homes via pale, powdery blues in particular. Experts say it exemplifies a collective desire for calm in a crazy world: “Luminous powdery sky blues and barely-there pastels will speak to the need for softness and for balance, and help support physical and mental health,” Riberti predicts. Chairish, meanwhile, predicted “French blue,” a pretty cornflower hue, will be appearing increasingly in furnishings and accessories. The sky, apparently, is the limit with this feel-good tint.

Wow, the outlook for a colorful 2023 is bright! I hope you found inspiration in the colors shown here. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. You know I’m here to help you pull it all together and find your best color palette for your personal spaces.

If these 2023 colors have inspired you, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399. I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation to explore some lovely, colorful territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

It’s a big day when paint company Pantone announces their Color of the Year. The 2023 Pantone Color of the Year, Viva Magenta, is a color that is already trending in the fashion and beauty world and now it’s making its way into interior design.

Just like in previous years, Pantone’s choices for this year’s trending colors are rooted in nature. But Pantone always chooses a color that has a little more edge than other paint companies.

Last year, Pantone chose Very Peri as their Color of the Year, a daring and carefree blue shade that was certainly bolder than the other blue and green shades that were trending. And this year we see a similar interior color trend, the colors are warmer and in Pantone’s case a lot bolder.

Read on to learn more about Viva Magenta, the Pantone Color of the Year 2023, and how you can use this bold color in your interiors, and sometimes enhanced, or subdued with complimentary color schemes.

A Deeper Dive into the Origin, Meaning, and Nuances of Viva Magenta

The story behind Viva Magenta is all about the balance between our digital and physical lives. In recent years, we have responded and reacted with a greater pull toward the natural world, and the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 is chosen to reflect our pull toward natural colors and the movement surrounding sustainability, and ecology.

In recent years, and perhaps as a response to covid and lockdowns, etc., an increased love for nature has also been reflected in our homes, not just with paint colors but also by adding plants, florals (live flowers, prints, and wallcoverings), and living walls to our interiors. And by paying more attention to our outdoor spaces.  

Our current lifestyle trends are at the heart of the Color of the Year selection process. And Pantone feels that Viva Magenta is the perfect rich shade for these times. The origin of Viva Magenta comes from the cochineal beetle. This insect produces carmine dye, one of the most precious, strongest, and brightest colors of the natural dye family.

This year’s color merges the richness, warmth, and strength of the natural world with the rich, open horizons of the digital world. The result is a red shade that celebrates life, Viva Magenta is a bold shade that also adds a fun touch to your home.

How Viva Magenta Can Be Used In Your Home

For a bold statement, you can opt for a magenta feature wall or sofa. But it can also be added as an accenting pop of color through curtains, rugs, pillows, or flowers. Viva Magenta certainly adds a warm and dramatic tone to any room of the house.

Living Rooms are a Great Place to Start

One interior photo shows how you can test the waters with one or two pieces of furniture. Sure, it’s a bit of a commitment, but it also makes a lovely bold statement.

This living room shows a neutral base with white walls, shelves, and furniture that is spruced up with a bold pink rug.

If pink walls are a bridge too far for you, consider painting the ceiling. Ceilings are often a forgotten component, but you can add such an impactful colorful statement to any room by painting the ceiling as you can see in this photo of a home library crowned with a hot pink ceiling.

Pink on pink in this home. The living room walls are painted in an earthy pink shade which is complimented by a hot pink sofa in a traditional style.

A bold pink shade creates a stunning feature wall in the living room.

And this living area mixes up color quite nicely.

Viva Magenta in Kitchens

This home is festooned with colorful wallpapers. But their love for color continues with this hot pink kitchen. The boldness of these rich pink kitchen cabinets looks pretty stunning.

Another room where two pink shades have been combined. Soft pastel pink cabinets and walls are combined with a hot pink tablecloth for a bold color accent in a colorful apartment. This is a very simple way to anchor a deep richness into this kitchen space.

This family home is packed with color and in the kitchen/dining area they placed a hot pink rug on the floor for visual impact, warmth, and depth.

This kitchen in a midcentury home combines green cabinets and walls with deep pink tiles. It shows that green and pink are a great color combination together.

Detouring from the kitchen, and going back to the living room, here is another green and pink example showing a playful pop of color in a more traditional sofa setting.

You can add bold color accents with textiles, decor, and art but why not make a statement with furniture? These built-in cabinets add a vibrant pink color touch to a blue and white kitchen.

This Bold Color in Bedrooms

To make a bold pink like Pantone’s Viva Magenta truly pop you can combine it with darker color tones. This moody gray bedroom shows exactly that, the walls and floor are painted in a dark shade but with a pink throw and rug, you add a joyful pop to the room.

Again, a room where two shades of pink are combined. This pink bedroom in a colorful family home combined a plaster pink shade with a bold pink/reddish rug.

We’ve already seen hot pink as an accent color in the bedroom but you can paint the walls as well as this attic bedroom shows.

Pantone’s Viva Magenta Color Palette

Pantone has also released a color palette with complimentary shades for Viva Magenta. This color palette mainly features light, neutral, natural shades that will make the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 stand out.

top row: Pale Dogwood – Gray Sand – Gray Lilac – Viva Magenta
bottom row: Pale Khaki – Fields of Rye – Agate Gray – Plein Air

Besides these neutral color tones, you may have noticed other color combinations in the images here. For a natural look, you can combine Viva Magenta with green and blue. If you want the 2023 color to really stand out you can combine it with dark gray. Or you can go for a full pink look, where dusty pink tones form the neutral base of your room with magenta color accents.

How do you feel about the Pantone Color of the Year 2023: Viva Magenta? Do you enjoy the bold color, or is it too much for you? Truth be told, I’m still forming my opinion, but some of you will have immediate gut reactions to it. Let me know your thoughts, especially if you’d like to explore using this color in your spaces – I can help you test the waters.

If this bold rich magenta color for 2023 has inspired you, and you’d like to see how to incorporate it into your spaces, I’m always available for consultations. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

Will 2023 be the year of fluted details or muted tones in living room trends? (spoiler alert: BOTH!)

As 2022 winds down, of course, we’re already looking ahead at what’s trending next for the design world. And, as one of the central gathering spaces in any house, the living room is at the heart of my focus. 2022 proved to be the year of bold wallpaper, warm woods, and a resurgence of antiques—all of which are still going strong. But what’s on the other side of the calendar? The good news? The prognosis is great, with warmth, style, and details galore.

Rich, Muted Tones

If a few years ago saw the heydey of Millennial Pink and the last few years were all about verdant shades, 2023 is shaping up to be all about rich, vibrant colors in muted tones. The feeling evoked in this room portrays that, with a burgundy velvet sofa, deep sage lime-washed walls, and pillows that are the sexier cousin to teal. 2022 also saw designers leaning into deep, dark palettes to evoke warmth and comfort, and that may continue to carry over into 2023 living room trends.

Warmer Neutrals

In terms of neutrals, warm, earth tones complement those rich hues well. Some designers see a trend in 2023 toward warm, non-intrusive, neutral tones and materials, which provide comfort and security. Raw, organic materials, and tones such as brown ocher, offer a cozy-yet-modern grounding base. The living room shown here proves how well the rich hues and warm neutrals pair.

Multifunctionality

Let’s hear it for 2023 being the year we…actually use our living rooms. Now that we know better than ever how we use our homes, they’re adapting to better serve those needs. The single room shown here is designed with areas for reading, napping, drinking, entertaining, and even stargazing.

Fluted Details

This is trending really big now. Fluted and reeded pieces in neutral spaces are especially huge right now. While the look was once reserved for small detail areas, design forecasters predict next year will see it expand into living spaces.

Next-Level Media Experiences

With new binge-worthy shows launching weekly and the desire for increased comfort in staying in more, 2023 will likely be the year many homeowners splurge for an upgraded media experience, whether in the form of a large-scale TV or custom sound system.

Meaningful Collections

It’s been said that the objects we fill our homes with hold the most power to ease our anxieties. Maybe it’s your grandfather’s collection of fly fishing lures, or maybe you’re zealous for antique maps—whatever it is that brings your truest self to your living space is on trend. For example, here, in a New Jersey home for a recently-widowed art collector, the space was designed to showcase the owner’s collection of art and souvenirs.

Daybeds

Maybe it’s their multifunctionality, maybe it’s their element of nostalgia, but we’re seeing a big return to daybeds in large living spaces. Here, a Serena & Lily daybed divides the large living area without blocking the sculptural window. Covered in a Sanderson fabric, it gets a custom look.

Outdoor Living

Living rooms in 2023 will push beyond the house, as outdoor entertaining proves to have real staying power. After all, when you devise your outdoor space with living areas as good as your interiors, do you even need to go inside?

I hope these 2023 living room trends have piqued your interest and inspired you! If you’d like to have me bring some of these living room decor ideas into your home, let me know. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some exciting living room decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.