Photography by Amanda Archibald for Apartment Therapy

The start of a new year makes me want to scrap all of my old designs and start a new… of course, I won’t be doing that since I’m saving up my creative juju for my new apartment - 🤞🏽I get approved. But, in the meantime, I have a lot of opinions on the latest interior design trends and want to show you how to style them in a renter-friendly way…

Before we jump in, remember trends come and go, but your style is forever… so don’t worry about what’s in or out; create the space you love, and you’ll be fine.

Bold Paint Colors

Filling a home with bold colors has always been my go-to move, so I’m glad to see the re-emergence of rich purples, dramatic greens, and moody reds. But, of course, committing to painting your walls is scary, so if you’re not ready for that, incorporate this trend with throw blankets, velvet curtains, and patterned rugs.

Used & Heirloom Furniture

Mixing the old with the new is one of my favorite ways to make spaces feel lived-in and cozy, and I'm so glad to see this trend sticking around for another year! That said, vintage shopping is a time-consuming task that not everyone wants to commit to, so instead, look for "vintage-ish" styles that can be delivered in a week or so! Here are some of my favorites!

Curved Furniture

This trend is one I love, but only in certain rooms! For example, a curved couch like the Judarn Asymmetrical Serpentine sofa from Anthropologie is a lovely addition to any space, but this shape doesn’t do well in smaller apartments - unfortunately! So opt for oval mirrors, coffee tables, and decor to bring in the trend without sacrificing precious square footage.

If a curved couch is on your list of must-haves, consider one with rounded arms and a straight back - much easier to style!

DIY WALL ART

We are (or will soon be) in a recession, so everyone will be leaning into inexpensive ways to decorate their home! And since large-scale art is pretty expensive, making your own using canvas and joint compound will be big this year! Check out this step-by-step DIY on how to create large-scale art for under $100. These work anywhere you need to cover an ample space, like a long hallway or over the bed.

Colorful marble

Did I make colorful marble a thing? My kitchen makeover from 2020 thinks so… Anywho, hued marble will be giant in 2023, and the best way to achieve this look as a renter is with peel and stick! The pink paper from my kitchen makeover or this lovely green one will look great in a kitchen or bathroom. Oh, and don’t forget to incorporate this trend using marble trays, tumblers, and coasters.

Exciting Trim

Whether adding ornate frames around your living or giving your doorways an upgrade, trim makes a big difference in any room and can be done in a renter-friendly way. There are two ways to do this… The first uses a double-sided tape to hold up wall trim made from paintable plastic - this is great if you want the picture frame style trim. Or follow the steps to install molding around a doorway. This DIY requires more effort to remove because all the nail holes will need to be filled, but it is worth the extra work!