Hi Design loves! I am back after an exhausting, but fun trip to High Point Furniture Market. For those of you who don't know, High Point is a market that happens twice a year and the fall market is when all the new stuff comes out! It's really like a Disney World for Interior Designers. So today I thought I would share with you the top five trends I saw and what you can expect to see in furniture design in the upcoming years.
This season's High Point Furniture Market revealed a standout trend that's bringing warmth and sophistication to interior spaces: plaid. But this isn't your grandmother's traditional tartan. Contemporary plaid designs are making a bold statement, transforming furniture from mere functional pieces to stylish, inviting focal points.
The modern plaid trend speaks to a desire for comfort and nostalgia. Designers are carefully tailoring plaid patterns to create a sense of home – think cozy, yet refined. The checkered patterns are appearing on everything from oversized sectional sofas to accent chairs, throw pillows, and even upholstered headboards. What makes this trend particularly exciting is its versatility – plaid can range from subtle, muted tones to bold, high-contrast color combinations.
Key observations about the plaid trend include:
The beauty of this trend lies in its ability to add visual texture and depth to a room while simultaneously evoking a sense of warmth and comfort.
The days of cool, clinical grey are gracefully giving way to a more inviting color story. Replacing it with a rich, warm color palette that brings the essence of nature indoors. The new neutral is no longer a stark grey, but a more nuanced, comforting spectrum of colors that evoke natural landscapes and organic materials.
Green takes center stage, ranging from soft sage to deep olive, bringing a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors. These green tones are complemented by an array of warm neutrals – think soft beiges, rich creams, and subtle taupes that create a sense of understated elegance. Terracotta emerges as a standout shade, adding a touch of earthy warmth that feels both contemporary and timeless.
What makes this color trend particularly compelling is its ability to create spaces that feel simultaneously sophisticated and deeply comfortable. These colors work together to craft interiors that are:
The shift away from cool greys represents more than just a color change – it's a broader design philosophy that prioritizes warmth, comfort, and a connection to the natural world.
The third big trend I saw at market was bench seating. It dominated dining room displays, challenging traditional chair arrangements and offering a fresh approach to dining space design. But are benches just a passing trend, or a meaningful shift in how we think about shared meals and gathering spaces?
Pros of Bench Seating:
Potential Drawbacks:
I'm curious what your thoughts are on bench seating? Is this a design trend you can get behind?
Next up is lighting. Lighting has always been like jewelry to an outfit for me. And this year, it did not disappoint proving that illumination is about much more than just functionality – it's a key design statement.
Lighting designers are having fun with scale, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from light fixtures. Oversized lamps are making bold statements, transforming lighting from a mere utility to a dramatic focal point. Equally intriguing are the asymmetrical designs featuring slim bases with dramatically larger lampshades – a playful approach that creates visual intrigue and unexpected elegance.
Gone are the days of solitary pendants. The trend now is to create visual drama through grouping. Designers are experimenting with multiple pendant lights hung together, creating a sculptural effect that transforms lighting into an art installation. These clusters can vary in height, size, or even style, offering a dynamic and personalized approach to illuminating spaces.
Key Observations:
This trend speaks to a broader design philosophy: lighting is no longer just about illuminating a space, but about creating mood, making a statement, and adding layers of visual complexity to our interiors.
Last up we have our hidden gem! Terrazzo emerged as a star material, breaking free from its traditional flooring roots and making a stunning appearance in furniture design. This historic material – once primarily associated with institutional floors – is now being reimagined in exciting new ways.
Far from its utilitarian origins, contemporary terrazzo is experiencing a design renaissance. Designers are incorporating this composite material into lamp bases, side tables, coffee tables, and decorative objects, celebrating its unique, speckled aesthetic. The modern interpretation of terrazzo brings a playful, artistic quality to furniture, with color combinations that range from subtle and sophisticated to bold and eye-catching.
What makes terrazzo so compelling in this moment?
This isn't just a fleeting trend, but a material evolution. Terrazzo is proving itself to be a versatile design element that can bring character, history, and a touch of artistic flair to contemporary interiors. Stayed tuned because I think we will see this one gaining in popularity in the years to come!
Well that's it for design trends for 2025. Which one is your favorite? I would have to say mine is the use of a warmer color palette. I've never been a huge fan of the cool grey tones so this one makes my heart happy!
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