Christmas trends 2023 – choice between natural, unexpected and sustainable

After the challenging last few years, we know how precious moments of joy like Advent and Christmas are. Some things are now deliberately quieter than before. Because we long for more content instead of superficial show. Nevertheless, after the experiences of recent times, there is also a sense of a new beginning. A new start that is more about sustainability than ever before, but also about the unexpected. The trends are therefore diverse, also in terms of color. For in addition to the classic Christmas colors such as red, white, gold and silver, there is a new color palette that could not be more multifaceted and extravagant.

Whether cool or warm, calm or intense, unusual or natural, light or dark: this year, literally everything is available. In the color ranges, extravagant tones alternate with soft nuances, colder ones with warm gradations, and intense color schemes with neutral or natural color harmonies. Much is inspired by nature, but in between, metallic tones of pewter, iron and bronze provide that certain something. In short: once again, this year's trend colors are magical and fulfill all desires.

This trend shows a living connection to nature and revolves around life cycles and transience. Through creative, sustainable thinking, the boundaries of art, craft and technologies are increasingly dissolving. Plant and geological designs of rocks, minerals and rough stones are typical here. Sometimes natural stone is used as a material, sometimes its grains and coloration serve as inspiration for patterns, motifs, and surfaces.

The color palette of the trend «Inner Peace Lies in Nature» begins with three rather cool shades of green, reminiscent of lichen, mountain lakes and raw malachite. This is followed by neutral gradations from white sand to stone gray and dark rock tones. Three warm color nuances such as moss green, a pink tending towards brown and a mild rosé nuance complete this natural color harmony.

Sometimes we are charmed by moments, small details - like a sunrise, special flowers, a rock formation, or foreign areas. That's why this trend focuses on the sight of unexpected decorations and foreign shapes. Situational patterns and the play of light and shadow create remarkable visual effects. Often the surfaces are metallized, or the objects show iridescent mirror surfaces, engravings, and flowing color effects. The idea of incorporating the fleeting moment into the design creates further surprising dimensions.

In the «Unexpected Beauty» trend, expressive colors such as strong azure blue, pink-orange, purple magenta and rich wine red alternate with lovely soft nuances in pastel light blue, delicate white green, gray and silver. There is something captivating about this shift from strong colors to soft shades, making this trend something that may stay with us for quite some time. After all, it's not for nothing that the Pantone Color Institute has also chosen light purples, strong purples, warm earth tones, light blues, orange-reds, and sunny yellows as the colors of 2023/2024 for interiors. 

Finally, you may wonder why you should use candles, baubles, stars, and other decorative objects only during the Christmas season. This question is answered by this trend, which with its distinctive designs offers products that you can also use all year round. For example, geometric shapes such as stars, circular discs, cones, and squares that complement the typical bauble as a Christmas ornament. But grid, line and relief structures also turn glass balls into year-round decoration.

When it comes to the «Year-round Sustainability» trend, it's no surprise that intense colors have been chosen to enhance these objects used as small accessories. Shades of petrol and blue dominate the cool range, while orange-red, violet, and ocher add warm color accents. In between, neutral, metallic tones such as pewter, iron and bronze-gray mediate.