An expert in color psychology shares the 8 shades you should have in your home this year

Artist and color expert Amy Wax predicts more homeowners will lean toward hues that create a peaceful ambiance in 2023. Instead of neutrals, Wax favors hues that add softness, beauty, and a whisper of color to the home, like delicate blush shades.

According to Wax, a hue like Benjamin Moore Love Story 1213 "is not the bring pink of yesteryear" and can complement any neutral color and add a feeling of serenity to the bedroom or living room.

For those wanting to sample a blush that's the "slightest bit more color than white" without going too pink, she recommends a whisper-soft hue. According to the expert, Benjamin Moore Sunset Hill 1212 is a great reference. 

According to Wax, stark and sterile ultra-modern whites of the past will be replaced with richer, warmer hues this year.

The expert predicts colors that are "easy on the eyes and warm without being muddy or too muted" will trend. 

Creamier white tones are an excellent option for adding a note of sophistication to a dining or living room, creating a serene and soothing bedroom space, or providing a neutral backdrop to contrast color in a home office.

Bold, richly infused colors, especially hues that add visual depth and texture, will also become more common. Wax said vintage-blue shades will make a statement in the home.

According to Wax, a color like Sherwin Williams Peacock Plume SW 0020 will appear elegant blue and will stand the test of time. "If you're looking to make a statement with cabinetry, painted furniture, or tile, Peacock Plume shares a richness with a vintage quality to it," she said.

For those who like something with the softness of white but want an earth-tone variation, Wax recommends going with a color in the parchment family.

Colors in the parchment family can help facilitate the feeling of visually open space. Though the perennial open floor plan has lost some ground, Wax sees many people striving for the same openness and light by using softer colors on the walls and even on the ceiling.

For example, Wax likes Drift of Mist 9166 from Sherwin Williams because it's both "soothing and delicate" and has the quality of a lighter earth tone.

Bolder colors can add interest and warmth to the home so Wax expects more people to incorporate earthy browns.

According to Wax, orange-brown colors can be "warm and delicious," and the "perfect choice to contrast against brighter neutrals." 

Bold, warm browns can work for an accent color or piece in the living room, dining room, or even the bathroom.

Fresh, sea-glass greens will also have a moment in 2023. According to Wax, tranquil greens can add a light and refreshing nature-inspired feel to a room while still giving it a color identity.

These greens can complement heavier colors in the earth-tone family in the primary bathroom, living room, or home office.

Though gray seems to be a fading trend, softer shades of the hue mixed with blue can offer timeless appeal.

According to Wax, a blue-gray hue can be the "perfect color for a room where you want some color, without it being too overwhelming or overpowering."

Wax also predicts a rise in subtle, muted blue greens with some gray to add color to the home while still feeling calming.

She said modern kitchens are designed with a warmer feel and more color identity than ever before, making it important to have options that bridge the desire for color and calm.