Surface Design Show 2023

Overview

For many years now here in the design studio at Burmatex we look at various sources for inspiration and one of those are design shows, therefore we felt it would be really beneficial for us to visit the  Surface Design Show 2023. In this post we will be discussing the colour trends we spotted at the show.

The theme of the show this year was 'Shaping Communities' which ran throughout the talks we attended and the show itself evoking conversations on community and what that means to us, which was an opening question in Justine Fox's interview with mix magazine.

Sustainability was also a key element of the show, consumers looking at the value of a product as it's not just about the financial cost but also the environmental value and sustainability credentials it holds.

Colour Trends

Colour radiated through different materials and surfaces at the Business Design Centre, from natural stone, copper and mineral tones through to futuristic tones taken from the metaverse. In this blog we will be discussing key colour trends seen at the show.

We attended two talks which focused on discussing colours in interior environments and what new colour trends are making an appearance in 2024/2025. The talks were delivered by Justine Fox and Colour Hive Magazine.

Sophisticated Green and Red 

The colour trend of sage green and clay / terracotta which has been popping up all over commercial offices and spaces in the past year and had taken more of an autumnal spin into darker forest greens and reds. Following from this, there is a movement of greens shifting from earthy forest tones to sea based and ocean informed watery blues. This was echoed in the colour hive quote with a big trend for next year shifting from land and earthy tones of colour to serene aquatic blues.

Aquatic tones and corals

As mentioned earlier in this post, aquatic and blue informed spaces are on the rise due to the increase of wellbeing linked to time spent in water/blue spaces rather than green, using blue spaces for relaxation and health benefits. This shows up through a colour palette of predominantly blues and fluid, undulating motifs.

Whilst walking around the Surface Design Show 2023, we were hit with sunburnt reds and sherbet coral tones and pinks usually paired with a turquoise or watery sea blue tones. There was also a narrative around floating forms, rippled effects and wet look materials to imitate water.

We look forward to seeing where these colour trends talked about in this post end up in the next coming year!