As the end of the year approaches, it will not be hard to find articles here, there and everywhere predicting the emerging trends in interior design and fashion that will be prominent in 2023. But there are good reasons for this not to guide your decisions if you are planning to call in professional wallpaper installers.

The first reason becomes apparent once one reads more than one article on the topic. The fact is that the crystal ball gazers all have lists at variance with each other.

For example, Giffywalls predicts that common themes will include a rainbow mural, images of hanging flowers on a pale green background or even wallpapers that look like vast paintings of magnificent natural scenery. The presence of bright colours against a pale background was an overarching theme.

By contrast, New Decor Trends suggested 2023 will bring a range of varied styles, from 3D patterns to a metallic look and even patterns that glow in the dark, through to more understated monochrome minimalism that will “never go out of style”.

Such variance would suggest two possibilities: either that the ‘experts’ are simply guessing, or that there will be no single theme or fashion to follow, but an array of different tastes and new ideas.

However, there is another consideration: it makes no sense to fit wallpaper just to fit with this year’s or next year’s trends, because good wallpaper will last for many years and therefore the aim should be to fit something that won’t be just a passing fad, but be enjoyed for many years to come.

Of course, some styles come in and out of fashion over a longer period of time. Art Deco had its heyday in the inter-war years, for example, although those who love a ‘retro’ style will still enjoy it now. It was never the style of just one year, to be surpassed by the next thing 12 months on.

For that reason, it still makes sense to focus not on the latest emerging fashions, but on stylish patterns that you love and that will still be looking great on your walls many years hence - whatever the pundits forecast.