What’s Next in Furniture and Homewares From the USA?
Spicy colours, burnished metals and classic forms were among the top trends spotted at the USA's 2022 High Point Market
Natural textures, rounded shapes, sustainable materials and warm colours have dominated the world of home furnishings over the past few seasons. But new and evolving finishes, silhouettes, materials, details and influences continue to make those big-picture trends feel fresh. That’s our key takeaway from the USA furnishing industry’s biggest decor trade fair, High Point Market, held from 22 to 26 October 2022 in North Carolina. Here are some returning and emerging looks and ideas we spotted on the showroom floors, which you can expect to see turning up in stores and interiors projects as we head into 2023.
Ethnicraft N701 sofa in Graphite.
Sustainability: Inextricable from nature as a theme is sustainability, which was a hot topic at High Point Market this month (as well as at all the recent European autumn design fairs). Instead of merely using recyclable materials, many companies are touting their circular production processes (which divert waste from landfills) and products featuring upcycled waste materials, such as recycled plastic and fabric offcuts.
Ethnicraft’s new graphite-coloured upholstery, for example, is made with recycled cotton from the fashion industry. Four Hands’ lounge-worthy Brazilian-style chairs are upholstered in ‘perfectly imperfect’ leather that would otherwise be discarded. And the company offers an innovative, recyclable indoor-outdoor fabric called Fiqa that’s more eco-friendly than traditional performance fabrics. Meanwhile, Zuiver offered its colourful, terrazzo-like indoor-outdoor Victoria side table, made with plastic scraps from a toy factory.
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Sustainability: Inextricable from nature as a theme is sustainability, which was a hot topic at High Point Market this month (as well as at all the recent European autumn design fairs). Instead of merely using recyclable materials, many companies are touting their circular production processes (which divert waste from landfills) and products featuring upcycled waste materials, such as recycled plastic and fabric offcuts.
Ethnicraft’s new graphite-coloured upholstery, for example, is made with recycled cotton from the fashion industry. Four Hands’ lounge-worthy Brazilian-style chairs are upholstered in ‘perfectly imperfect’ leather that would otherwise be discarded. And the company offers an innovative, recyclable indoor-outdoor fabric called Fiqa that’s more eco-friendly than traditional performance fabrics. Meanwhile, Zuiver offered its colourful, terrazzo-like indoor-outdoor Victoria side table, made with plastic scraps from a toy factory.
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Cicil Curvy rug.
Responsible local sourcing of natural materials – and traditional handcrafting incorporating those materials – also emerged as important trends. Market newcomer Cicil, which does not use synthetic dyes or toxic chemicals and manufactures its gorgeous rugs in the Carolinas, USA, sources wool from farmer cooperatives on the East Coast. And many furniture manufacturers touted using responsibly sourced American timber and traditional joinery in their new designs.
Responsible local sourcing of natural materials – and traditional handcrafting incorporating those materials – also emerged as important trends. Market newcomer Cicil, which does not use synthetic dyes or toxic chemicals and manufactures its gorgeous rugs in the Carolinas, USA, sources wool from farmer cooperatives on the East Coast. And many furniture manufacturers touted using responsibly sourced American timber and traditional joinery in their new designs.
Four Hands ping pong table.
The multipurpose home: The pandemic placed new demands on our homes as work and play spaces as well as places to recharge. And even as public life opens up again, it seems our homes will continue fulfilling all of those roles indefinitely, so furniture companies are answering the call with multipurpose and modular pieces.
One fun development on this front is that luxurious game tables were all over the showrooms at High Point Market. Four Hands showed an entire collection, such as a ping pong table/dining table with a magnetised, removable ‘net’ and a foosball table made of richly grained timber, aged iron and aluminium.
Eichholtz’s new collection with fashion designer Philipp Plein also includes a flashy ping pong/dining table in faux white marble and gold. And we saw lots of other side and occasional tables – which, in general, were a huge category at this market – with features including chess-board tops and pull-out drink holders.
The multipurpose home: The pandemic placed new demands on our homes as work and play spaces as well as places to recharge. And even as public life opens up again, it seems our homes will continue fulfilling all of those roles indefinitely, so furniture companies are answering the call with multipurpose and modular pieces.
One fun development on this front is that luxurious game tables were all over the showrooms at High Point Market. Four Hands showed an entire collection, such as a ping pong table/dining table with a magnetised, removable ‘net’ and a foosball table made of richly grained timber, aged iron and aluminium.
Eichholtz’s new collection with fashion designer Philipp Plein also includes a flashy ping pong/dining table in faux white marble and gold. And we saw lots of other side and occasional tables – which, in general, were a huge category at this market – with features including chess-board tops and pull-out drink holders.
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Eichholtz Chair Novelle.
2. Forms
Rounded and stuffed: Enveloping, organic, rounded shapes, oversize remain the most popular silhouettes on American showroom floors, often with quilted or channel-stitched finishes. (Sometimes the forms were literally on the showroom floor. See the previously pictured curvy rug by Cicil.)
This season, a fun form floated to the top of the trends-within-this-trend: the tube. Armchairs, sofas, lighting and accent pieces played with the shape, adding 1970s and ’80s postmodern flair to showroom vignettes.
2. Forms
Rounded and stuffed: Enveloping, organic, rounded shapes, oversize remain the most popular silhouettes on American showroom floors, often with quilted or channel-stitched finishes. (Sometimes the forms were literally on the showroom floor. See the previously pictured curvy rug by Cicil.)
This season, a fun form floated to the top of the trends-within-this-trend: the tube. Armchairs, sofas, lighting and accent pieces played with the shape, adding 1970s and ’80s postmodern flair to showroom vignettes.
Four Hands Halston chair.
Lounge-like and seductive: Mid-century influences remained strong at the market – though several designers we heard from admitted they’re feeling a little ‘over it’.
Perhaps in answer to that fatigue, seductive Brazilian mid-century inspired pieces are popping up alongside the European, Scandinavian and American mid-century modern silhouettes that we are all now very familiar with. Think rich, sensuous leather; dark wood with red undertones; handcrafted and hand-joined details; and low-slung profiles.
Lounge-like and seductive: Mid-century influences remained strong at the market – though several designers we heard from admitted they’re feeling a little ‘over it’.
Perhaps in answer to that fatigue, seductive Brazilian mid-century inspired pieces are popping up alongside the European, Scandinavian and American mid-century modern silhouettes that we are all now very familiar with. Think rich, sensuous leather; dark wood with red undertones; handcrafted and hand-joined details; and low-slung profiles.
Side tables from the new Kelly Hoppen x Caracole collection.
Sculptural: This season, furniture designs in many manufacturers’ collections were, in essence, functional pieces of modern sculpture that played with negative space, material limits and asymmetry.
As we mentioned, side tables had an oversize presence at the fair, perhaps because they’re the perfect vehicle for designers to get creative with material and form.
Sculptural: This season, furniture designs in many manufacturers’ collections were, in essence, functional pieces of modern sculpture that played with negative space, material limits and asymmetry.
As we mentioned, side tables had an oversize presence at the fair, perhaps because they’re the perfect vehicle for designers to get creative with material and form.
Pieces from the Thomas Pheasant for Baker USA autumn 2022 collection.
Classic: Tailored furniture designs that incorporate hallmarks of classic, traditional architecture, including columns, curtains and arches, were newly trending in USA showrooms this season. While fairly formal, the pieces that defined the emerging trend felt forward-looking rather than taking on the appearance of antique reproductions.
That said, traditional furniture designs and antiques continue to be in high demand in some local American markets too.
Browse beautiful contemporary dining areas by Australian designers
Classic: Tailored furniture designs that incorporate hallmarks of classic, traditional architecture, including columns, curtains and arches, were newly trending in USA showrooms this season. While fairly formal, the pieces that defined the emerging trend felt forward-looking rather than taking on the appearance of antique reproductions.
That said, traditional furniture designs and antiques continue to be in high demand in some local American markets too.
Browse beautiful contemporary dining areas by Australian designers
Rifle Paper Co. Second Edition Bramble wallpaper for York Wallcoverings.
3. Pattern and texture
Floral: Interest in nature-inspired patterns – such as delicate flowers, tropical leaves and coral – shows no signs of waning, with folkloric floral patterns standing out as fresh iterations of the trend.
3. Pattern and texture
Floral: Interest in nature-inspired patterns – such as delicate flowers, tropical leaves and coral – shows no signs of waning, with folkloric floral patterns standing out as fresh iterations of the trend.
Loloi Chris Loves Julia Humphrey rug.
Menswear: While florals never go out of style, other influences are fighting for prominence.
Among the sharpest-looking we spotted at the fair were patterns taken from traditional men’s suiting, such as tweed, pinstripes and plaids.
In fact, we’d place bets on tweed as the heir apparent to bouclé, which, while still in most showrooms, seems to have reached its peak.
Menswear: While florals never go out of style, other influences are fighting for prominence.
Among the sharpest-looking we spotted at the fair were patterns taken from traditional men’s suiting, such as tweed, pinstripes and plaids.
In fact, we’d place bets on tweed as the heir apparent to bouclé, which, while still in most showrooms, seems to have reached its peak.
Carol Benson-Cobb’s Intersect wallpaper for York Wallcoverings.
Softened geometrics: Fractal shapes and geometric tribal patterns also added some refreshing angles to the mix, though even they had a soft, hand-drawn look.
Paired with the prevailing curvy furniture shapes, these more tailored patterns added some contrast that was sorely lacking in previous seasons’ showroom vignettes.
Softened geometrics: Fractal shapes and geometric tribal patterns also added some refreshing angles to the mix, though even they had a soft, hand-drawn look.
Paired with the prevailing curvy furniture shapes, these more tailored patterns added some contrast that was sorely lacking in previous seasons’ showroom vignettes.
Moe’s Tower dining table with marble top.
4. Materials and Finishes
Stone: Stone has been big for a few seasons now, both in the form of monolithic pieces and as an accent material. But this season, cool carrara was supplanted by bold, strongly veined cream, black or brightly coloured marble and travertine.
4. Materials and Finishes
Stone: Stone has been big for a few seasons now, both in the form of monolithic pieces and as an accent material. But this season, cool carrara was supplanted by bold, strongly veined cream, black or brightly coloured marble and travertine.
Arteriors Reuben dining table.
Timber: Blond woods have dominated contemporary furnishings in recent years, but among the standout trends at High Point Market was a shift towards darker and warmer woods and a greater selection of timber species and finishes.
In addition to white oak and walnut, we saw pine (inspired by European antiques) and maple sourced from USA Northeastern forests. Beautiful burled wood (caused by an irregular growth pattern on a tree) and marquetry are making strong comebacks in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Colour stains and finishes that accentuate timber grain, such as fuming and cerusing, were also prominent. Even petrified wood popped up.
Note the Arteriors glass chandelier pictured here: colour-infused and wavy, watery glass is gaining popularity too, especially in lighting.
Timber: Blond woods have dominated contemporary furnishings in recent years, but among the standout trends at High Point Market was a shift towards darker and warmer woods and a greater selection of timber species and finishes.
In addition to white oak and walnut, we saw pine (inspired by European antiques) and maple sourced from USA Northeastern forests. Beautiful burled wood (caused by an irregular growth pattern on a tree) and marquetry are making strong comebacks in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Colour stains and finishes that accentuate timber grain, such as fuming and cerusing, were also prominent. Even petrified wood popped up.
Note the Arteriors glass chandelier pictured here: colour-infused and wavy, watery glass is gaining popularity too, especially in lighting.
BDI Tanami sideboard in satin black with brass.
Burnished metal: Furniture and finishes are warming up across the board, and burnished and antiqued brass is the metal du jour in the USA for lighting and hardware finishes as well as furniture accents. Given this warming design direction, according to trend forecasters at the market, we should be on the lookout for a return to copper and rose gold accents, though we haven’t seen them much in showrooms… yet.
Burnished metal: Furniture and finishes are warming up across the board, and burnished and antiqued brass is the metal du jour in the USA for lighting and hardware finishes as well as furniture accents. Given this warming design direction, according to trend forecasters at the market, we should be on the lookout for a return to copper and rose gold accents, though we haven’t seen them much in showrooms… yet.
Troels Goldie sofa in Midnight.
5. Colours
Black, blue and green: A return to colour in general is a big story in the interior design world, with minimalist, grey-and-white interiors on their way out.
The biggest colour hit in the past few years has been green, and High Point Market showrooms were accordingly filled with warm moss tones, soft sage, blue-greens and punchy pistachio.
Newer to the scene were furnishings in deep, dark navy, often paired with black in a palette reminiscent of a night sky.
5. Colours
Black, blue and green: A return to colour in general is a big story in the interior design world, with minimalist, grey-and-white interiors on their way out.
The biggest colour hit in the past few years has been green, and High Point Market showrooms were accordingly filled with warm moss tones, soft sage, blue-greens and punchy pistachio.
Newer to the scene were furnishings in deep, dark navy, often paired with black in a palette reminiscent of a night sky.
Regina Andrew Bethany chair.
Pastels with punch: As noted, pistachio was a popular shade for accent pieces in many showrooms, as was light blue, often with a bit of texture or a denim finish. They felt freshest when paired with more vibrant (verging on fluorescent) colours but were very pretty on their own.
Pastels with punch: As noted, pistachio was a popular shade for accent pieces in many showrooms, as was light blue, often with a bit of texture or a denim finish. They felt freshest when paired with more vibrant (verging on fluorescent) colours but were very pretty on their own.
Sherwin-Williams vignette featuring Redend Point.
Rosy and autumnal colours: Autumnal colours were everywhere you looked at High Point Market this year, both on the trees outside and in the exhibits. Those warm, earthy, even spicy shades of gold, deep red, cumin and burgundy saturated the soft furnishings.
Perhaps equally popular was a desert-inspired palette. The pinkish-brown tones of Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 colour of the year, Redend Point, is a perfect example of the earthy rose, mauve and terracotta tones defining the trend.
Your turn
Which of these designs and trends are your favourites? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
For more of the latest trade fair news, check out 9 New Looks for Tiles You Need to Know From Cersaie 2022
Rosy and autumnal colours: Autumnal colours were everywhere you looked at High Point Market this year, both on the trees outside and in the exhibits. Those warm, earthy, even spicy shades of gold, deep red, cumin and burgundy saturated the soft furnishings.
Perhaps equally popular was a desert-inspired palette. The pinkish-brown tones of Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 colour of the year, Redend Point, is a perfect example of the earthy rose, mauve and terracotta tones defining the trend.
Your turn
Which of these designs and trends are your favourites? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
For more of the latest trade fair news, check out 9 New Looks for Tiles You Need to Know From Cersaie 2022
1. Themes
Nature: Nature has been the design world’s greatest influence since its inception and its biggest muse since the onset of the global pandemic. Natural themes continue to crop up in all aspects of the furnishings industry, from shape and form to pattern and process.
Earth tones, natural textures, nature-inspired patterns and soft, organic shapes and materials remain the dominant looks. For example, if you loved all the woven designs from the past few seasons, you can rest assured they’re still going strong. Along with the caned insets that have been ubiquitous in lighting and furniture collections, at this market we saw new rattan-wrapped lighting and accessories and woven-wood dresser and credenza fronts.
We’ll drill down on similar trends below, but the need-to-know is that nature remains the furnishing world’s strongest source of inspiration.