The 2023 OakyTrends

The beginning of the year is not only a time for resolutions and plans. It is also a great opportunity to look at the trends set to shape our reality in the coming months. We compiled some forecasts for the areas closest to our hearts. Have a look at our 2023 OakyTrends review!

Design

Natural tones and strong accents

Earthy tones, neutral beiges, browns, grays, calming greens, or shades of blue – these hues continue to be hugely popular, especially in minimalistic or japandi inspired interiors. We are currently craving warm and natural colors which soften our surroundings and conjure a cozy atmosphere.

A subdued color palette makes for a perfect background to display some deep hues that give interiors depth and definition. Pair it with vivid accents of Etsy’s colors of the year: Indigo and Honeycomb, or with the bold Viva Magenta endorsed by the Pantone Institute.

More natural materials

Natural colors go hand in hand with natural materials – we pay more attention to what our clothes, furniture, accessories, and other daily necessities are being made from. Wood, bamboo, cork, linen, organic cotton, and vegan leather alternatives (e.g., pineapple leather – Pinatex), are materials that are often chosen by conscious consumers. Ecology aside, this trend advocates for interior design which emphasizes our connection to nature and fosters a well-balanced atmosphere.

Ergonomic home office

The shift towards remote work caused, in part, by the pandemic, has become a source of motivation to take extra care of our own health and fitness. A sedentary lifestyle and long hours spent in front of a screen have taken their toll on some of us. Sitting at a desk for the majority of the day means it should be especially comfortable and ergonomic. The best solution is a desk where height is adjustable, so you can easily change positions from sitting to standing and give your spine a bit of a break.

Another ergonomically significant piece of furniture is a chair with sturdy lumbar support. Yoga balls and saddles have also become popular desk chair alternatives.

The topic of ergonomics is a trend in itself – both as a design principle and work organization technique. Here at Oakywood, we take special care to ensure our products meet ergonomic standards as we continue to learn about them from the experts.

Personalization – not just for the products

In the era of mass production, things that are made to measure and tailored for a specific person hold more and more value. In many cases, simply engraving a name, logo, or inscription gives accessories some personal touch. At Oakywood, we take personalization a step further and offer the ability to customize the dimensions of products such as our Desk or Desk Shelf, to fulfill your own individual needs.

Personalization is not a trend exclusive to material possessions – we also expect a customized approach in other aspects of life: from a workout plan to a diet and medical help. More than half of participants in Vesta’s study expressed interest in personalized supplements. Interestingly, a significant portion of the group were Millennials and Gen Z.

Ecology

Biophilia – our connection to nature

The biophilia hypothesis brings together the spheres of interior design and ecology. The importance of indoor plants in our homes or offices is continuously growing and shaping our design choices as more and more of us factors in designated space for flowers, shrubs, or herbs. We appreciate their positive effect on our wellbeing and air quality which helps us be more mindful when it comes to environmental protection.

Biophilia in 2023 means embracing the imperfect and raw – this means everything that brings us closer to nature. The trend favors natural shades and materials with rough, unfinished textures.

Sustainable development in different aspects of life

One of the most important trends for 2023 has been on our radar for quite some time now. Sustainable development is now a necessity, not an option, and people are becoming more aware of it. We care where the things we purchase were made, who made them, and how. Durability and quality have become important factors in the shopping process. Instead of buying ‘disposable’ furniture, we choose to restore old, pre-loved, or inherited pieces. When we do buy new, we tend to invest in items to last us years.

Our daily choices are motivated by environmental concern: we pick trains over planes and cycle instead of driving. Landscape architecture includes rainwater collection and purification systems. We limit our meat consumption or quit it altogether. Since sustainable development is one of Oakywood’s core values, we hope that 2023 brings more eco awareness to effect real-life change.

Wellbeing and work-life balance

Fitness or wellness?

Improving your posture and working on your physical health are the next positive trend for 2023. Like with ergonomics, isolating and working remotely during the pandemic has contributed to making taking care of yourself cool again. Not only do we see the need to stay active, but we also appreciate the importance of wellness in its broad sense – its physical as well as mental aspects.

So called micro workouts are an interesting part of this trend – short, often minute long sessions of exercise or dancing have become quite popular on TikTok. They’re a great way to get your heart rate up while working remotely.
Fitness and wellness enthusiasts alike use technology to reach their health goals. We have already seen a steady rise of fitness and meditation apps over the past few years, and we will certainly see this trend continue in 2023. Developments in the fields of VR and AR can offer an even greater degree of immersion by allowing us to participate in a PT or yoga session from the comfort of our own bedroom.

Sensehacking

One of the more optimistic wellbeing trends is sense-hacking. This practice centers around the belief that our senses have an immense influence on our wellbeing. The ‘hacking’ part means we provide the stimuli we need depending on the situation – sounds, certain colors on the walls, essential oils, or incense have the power to put us in a better mood, help us relax, or get motivated by creating the perfect environment.

Remote (and not so remote) work

The new hybrid norm

Despite the post-pandemic return to physical offices, the circle of remote work enthusiasts did not shrink significantly. Most people indicate their preference towards combining remote work with being in the office – more and more companies recognize this need and try to accommodate it. A hybrid work model can take a lot of forms: sometimes it means being able to work remotely a few times a month or once a week, but it can also look like a hot desking system where each employee books their workspace for a whole day or just a few hours.

One thing is for sure, a hybrid work model is a perfect compromise of remote and in-office work, meaning it has high chances of becoming a new standard where possible.

Working 9 to 5 no more

Flexible work hours are, alongside remote working, another trend which just a few years ago seemed like a luxury but is now slowly becoming the norm, both for remote as well as office workers. The ability to adjust work hours to meet our individual needs and plans makes us more productive and happier.

Another promising trend showing up on our radar is a 4-day work week. The model has already been tested in European countries such as Belgium, Sweden, or Iceland and there is a big chance we’ll see more companies giving it a go in 2023.

Employee friendly spaces

Compelling employees to go back to the office, maintain high levels of productivity, and stay with the company for a long time requires their workspace to make the trouble of a daily commute worth it. Even the dreaded millennial open space office can be an inviting place when designed well. Phenomena such as the Great Resignation or quiet quitting alongside workers’ increased awareness of maintaining a work-life balance makes employers realize the need to design employee friendly spaces – it impacts productivity and, in turn, the profits.

Team culture

The space alone is not enough. Corporate culture performs an important role while working remotely and in-office. It helps create a work environment that fosters productivity and achievement but also maintaining a balance between a career and a personal life. Team-building meetings, open and clear communication, corporate wellbeing initiatives, health insurance, or the ability to develop skills outside of their work requirements are some of the ways to build a welcoming corporate culture and make a company an attractive place to work.

Thank you for making it to the end of our 2023 trend forecast compilation and we hope to see them implemented this coming year.