Decor and Interior Design Trends 2023 – Part I

With 2023 beginning, the Vallarta Real Estate Guide editorial team approached Sheryl Novak, owner of SOLutions Mexico, a renowned furniture and decor showroom based in Bucerías, Nayarit, to learn about interior design trends that we will be seeing in different condominiums around Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.

In the first part of this special, some of the basic concepts of decor and interior design will be clarified to better understand the process, which focuses on making the most of the colors, textures, and lighting in a space to create a greater sense of comfort.

ORIGIN OF TRENDS

Novak began our conversation by explaining how trends are set: “Trends arise from several things. First, inspiration comes from the fashion industry. Furniture and interior design are always influenced by the world of fashion. The second thing that creates trends is global influences and factors. Then comes demographics—how old are buyers and what are they buying? Normally, it’s the people who buy that really target where the trends are going. Manufacturers are inspired by that, and they look at what is happening in the world and start creating product lines. Then they create prototypes and take them to the international design fairs. That’s where retailers have the opportunity to see new items and with their eye and experience, they decide which options will be presented to customers.”

There is an international trend cycle, but Novak adds that regional trends also appear, meaning trends that are found in a specific area due to its characteristics, like climate, culture, and location. “What works in Vallarta · Nayarit is not necessarily going to fit in a desert or alpine area.”

This design specialist also added that once a trend has lasted for a considerable time, it is then considered no longer to be a trend, but rather, a style.

“Interior design means talking about decor styles, colors, materials and furniture.” —Sheryl Novak, owner of SOLutions Mexico.

DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS IN VALLARTA · NAYARIT

According to Novak, the reason why some certain styles of design are favored in our region, is because there are some well-defined demographic groups. Among them, the following stand out:

• Americans and Canadians purchasing retirement condominiums.
• Mexicans from cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City, among other important cities in our country, buying vacation homes.
• Middle-aged professionals, who are between 40 and 50 years old with children, who rent out their Puerto Vallarta property when it is not in personal use.

“Each demographic has a different style because they all have specific needs that need to be met. Some decorate their homes for full-time living, others do it considering short stays and/or with the aim of offering amenities to their tenants,” she adds.

On the other hand, our expert designer mentioned a demographic that is beginning to become more common in our region: “There are also digital nomads. Although it is a large community, due to their lifestyle, they are not able to buy furniture, but are renting it to enjoy during their time in the bay area.”

STYLES OF DECORATION IN VALLARTA · NAYARIT

When considering these different demographic groups, Novak explains that some properties show Scandinavian, Japanese, Chinese and even the new trend of Coastal Grandmother style. However, according to her experience of more than 15 years in our region, she comments that the Traditional Mexican Style is becoming less popular.

“During my career in Vallarta · Nayarit, I have noticed that this style is now not as preferred as it once was in interior design. For example, although hacienda-type furniture—like chairs made from pine wood, with straight backs—are still out there, but the reality is that they are no longer being used in new properties, because now owners are choosing comfort above all else.”

MODERN MEXICAN STYLE

“This new style is booming throughout Vallarta · Nayarit. At its core is a neutral color palette, to which decorative details are added using Mexican colors like pink, orange, red, yellow, and green. And, of course, the furniture, which can be large or small depending on the space of each property, must be comfortable.”

Novak explains that the reason for the emergence of this style is due to the main demographic in our region: American and Canadian retirees who come during the winter. “They want a certain vitality and colorful decorative details in their design, because they are leaving behind the white blanket of snow that they would have in their home country. And since these are older people, comfortable furniture is a must.”

In the second part of this special, we will talk more about the types of colors, materials, and pieces of furniture that we will be seeing in homes in 2023.