This Is the Most Surprising 2023 Home Trend, According to Our Pro Designer Survey

published Dec 12, 2022
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Credit: Liz Calka

As this year wraps up, our team has been busy reflecting on the design trends that dominated 2022 while looking ahead for the next big up-and-coming interior styles. That’s where Apartment Therapy’s third annual State of Home Design survey comes in: We asked 78 design experts across the country to share their predictions about where homes are headed in 2023. Based on the results, it’s safe to expect a continuation of already in-demand looks — comfy curved furniture and Parisian influences, to name a few — plus, color and material newcomers, like moody marbles and purplish red accents.

There’s one surprising stance though, which numerous designers (55 percent, to be exact) pointed to as one of the biggest potential 2023 building trends, in none other than the kitchen of all spaces: bold colored appliances. Yep, design experts anticipate technicolor fridges, ranges, dishwashers, and more to define homes and renovations this upcoming year.

Recently, an uptick in painted kitchen cabinetry and saturated tiles have both started to take the decorating world by storm. So it makes sense that this color surge would ultimately migrate over to larger appliances, harking back to retro mid-century American kitchen design. The retail space is catching on, too: Kitchenaid and Bertazoni have doubled down on bright ranges, while Smeg and Big Chill offer colorful fridges. Samsung now even carries its own customizable four-door colored fridge.

Credit: Andrew Bui

Of the experts polled in our survey, 67 percent agreed bold colors will make a comeback in the kitchen in general, with many citing an emphasis on bringing more individuality and creativity into the home. Timala Stewart, CEO and Founder of e-design site Decurated Interiors, speaks to this decorating forecast, noting that, even among her own clientele, “people want liveliness and culture back in their homes, so adding color through various design elements can fulfill that need.” Basically, count on the all-white kitchen to take a backseat to “the bolder, the better” new hues in 2023.

That’s not to say every appliance absolutely needs a Memphis-style color makeover though — large appliances are expensive! You could mix and match a statement stove with your current kitchen finishes, if your space and budget allow. Not a homeowner? No problem! Shop some of the brands mentioned above for smaller scale, renter-friendly ROYGBIV toasters, stand mixers, and electric kettles. In fact, you can order a countertop-worthy colored microwave or air fryer straight from Amazon to inject instant personality into your kitchen. Just note that because this style is still relatively on the rise, the current shopping selections skew a bit more expensive across the board. There’s still something for every budget, of course, and I rounded up a few of my favorite colored kitchen appliances in a variety of sizes below, categorized by price from low to high.

1 / 6
Walmart
$69.00

Although vintage-looking in appearance, this Galanz microwave screams modern, thanks to its deep red hue that's reminiscent of Pantone’s newly-announced 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta. The color options don’t end at red either: Reheat in style with yellow or blue versions, as well. Of course, beyond aesthetics, this countertop cooker is practical, user-friendly, and less than $100.

2 / 6
Amazon
$79.90

It’s hard to tell what’s better about this Sakuchi air fryer from Amazon: the cool green hue or the 10-in-1 cooking capabilities. The 5.8-quart digital device feels wow-worthy both on kitchen display and during dinnertime, with touch-screen presets to prep your fave foods at the push of a button.

3 / 6
Anthropologie
$79.99

From Haden — which, fun fact, is one of the first makers of colored, design-forward tea kettles — comes this blue beauty, the prettiest way to start the day with a hot cuppa (it features a 12-cup capacity, so it'll definitely caffeinate a group). More good news: There's even a matching microwave and blender if you want a full turquoise-toned collection. I'd also suggest checking out the brand’s quirky patterned appliances collection in partnership with London-based Poodle & Blonde.

4 / 6
Williams Sonoma
$199.95

Color me obsessed with the two-slice Smeg toaster, one of my favorite kitchen accents for melding function and form — and the latter in many a bold shade. Choose your own colorway adventure with one of 12 hues, ranging from fire engine red to a sweet pastel green. Plus, since the the compact, mid-century-inspired toaster can be styled sideways (with the pull-down lever front-facing), it's perfect for bringing this 2023 trend into particularly small kitchens.

5 / 6
Crate & Barrel
$369.95
was $499.95

In what feels like yet another nod to Pantone’s 2023 hue, this stand mixer is actually decked out in KitchenAid’s own 2022 Color of the Year, Beetroot (great design minds think alike!). With an appliance this classic, why not play around with super-out-there color pairings to liven things up? I’ll admit, this appliance is splurge-y (although currently on sale), and it does take up a bit of counter space. It’s part of an exclusive Crate & Barrel collection though, so if you're short on dough or space, check out the Beetroot blender and coffee maker instead.

6 / 6
Wayfair
$3647.00
was $3997.00

For the grand appliance finale, Wayfair offers a kitchen set with a matching bright-blue fridge, gas range, and range hood — all for less than $4,000 (and currently on sale!). Yes, it’s still a huge expense, but you’re effectively getting three retro-inspired, slim pieces for about a third of the cost of most mid-range kitchen packages, comparatively. Not sold on the trio? You can shop colored pieces à la carte from this same manufacturer, Unique Appliances, if you’d rather stick to just one kitchen focal point.

This piece is part of Trend Month, our recap of the buzziest designs, decor, and more from 2022 — and what to expect in 2023. Head on over here to see it all!