As we come off a busy week of traveling to the famous High Point Market in North Carolina (the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show), we wanted to spend some time reflecting on what we saw as some of this year’s biggest design trends. The following is a list of what seemed to be on repeat out east. As some of the most prominent fashions seen this past week, you are sure to see them in upcoming designs by us and other teams worldwide. Look for them in national magazines and even in your local furnishings stores – you can bet that we even came home with a few pieces for our own showroom that represent the hottest designs of 2016.
1) Raw Materials
As of lately, one of the strongest trends we have seen is the use of raw materials in interior design and furniture manufacturing. Once considered the finest products of only the food industry, “organic” is now a norm in the furniture world and refers to natural manufacturing processes as well as to more natural looking design pieces. This trend is a play on the earthy elements in the world around us and a nod to bringing in a more unrefined, primal look into home design. In the future, you are certain to see a movement towards natural, pure and untreated furniture pieces, artwork telling tale to the outdoors, and a more neutral color palette.
2) Floral Motifs
Given that florals work in nearly every room style, it is no surprise that flowers were in full bloom at the spring market. The season’s prettiest designs were delicately painted on tableware, upholstered to wood furniture, represented in patterned textiles, and blossoming on wall art. Ornate designs were also draped in wall coverings and seen on even the smallest accent pieces we found. This timeless fashion is one to stay.
3) Artisan Craftsmanship
Artisanal work is another trend on the rise. As seen at the market, cookie cutter styles have been pushed aside and replaced by the wealth of specialty artisan designers worldwide. New creations are being fashioned daily that epitomize attention to detail and exceptional craftsmanship and quality. You can find examples of this trend in hand blown vases and lamps, wood tables with expressive grain patterns, hand carved case goods, and sculptured metal accents and lighting pieces. Other inspired elements to note are the bountiful woven baskets and handcrafted jewelry in the market today. With this labor of love taste, perfection is found with the imperfect pieces and a treasure is one with true inconsistencies.
4) Geometric Design
Geometric patterns were an emerging trend at the fall market in 2015 and continue to be a prominent design trend for 2016. Represented in nearly every alcove of the festival, the linear and sharp lines were on case goods, welded into lamp bases and were amply seen underfoot. This trend has swept the interior design industry in every facet and is one that is sure to linger as the playful yet adaptable pattern can work in nearly every room style.
5) Retro Inspired Design
Last but not least. as you might have expected, retro is now the new modern. Vintage inspired designs have been making a comeback into interior design for the last few years and this year’s spring market wowed with no exceptions. Styles from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were sure as red is in the rainbow. This design trend is all about embracing the things of the past and molding it to fit in our new, modern world. Retro fashions bring a sense of charisma and history into a room and make the room look more eclectic and worldly.
Other on point trends right now: Mixed Metals and Wall Coverings – both of which we recently wrote about in our blog.