Stepping into High Point Market feels, to me, like looking into a crystal ball at the immediate future. Trends that I’ve already seen are imagined in new ways…innovations are unveiled…and I get to step back and see a high-level view of the direction interior design is taking!!
Going to High Point, North Carolina for market is a trip I make twice a year. I’m drawn in by the allure of the best home furnishings and by the energy from peers and top manufacturers.
High Point Market isn’t just a trade show—it’s a playground of possibilities!!
High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, held twice a year in High Point, North Carolina. It’s the premier platform for interior designers, vendors, and manufacturers to showcase the latest in home furnishings.
What do I come back with every time? Not just my own idea of what’s coming…but specific recommendations and insights to share with you. Visiting High Point is an ENDLESS source of fascination for me, and now you can see how your home can transcend into something new and extraordinary, too!!
Imagine any of the following in your home, and see what it inspires…
1. Cuddle sofas
One thing I saw a LOT of this year were what I call “cuddle sofas.” These sofas (or loveseats, or lounging chairs) are furniture pieces with deep seats that you can stretch your legs out on. They have high backs, too, and so are literally made for lounging and relaxation.
Cuddle sofas are best for intimate spaces where you read or watch movies…not so much where you entertain, because guests will feel more comfortable sitting upright in social contexts, especially with food or drinks.
I truly saw these EVERYWHERE… and they’re perfect for creating a snug, ultra-comfortable space!!
Choose one of the higher-end manufacturers, and these sofas are also customizable with a range of fabrics to suit ANY design aesthetic and functional “must have…”
2. Swivel chairs…in disguise
Of all the furniture trends, I was also pleasantly surprised to see so many swivel chairs “in disguise.” These are seemingly regular chairs for your living room, bedroom, etc. that have the look of traditional-inspired furniture…but they come with swivel bases you don’t notice until you sit down in them!!
Chairs with swivel add versatility and functionality to seating arrangements, which is PARTICULARLY helpful for social spaces and vacation rental design.
I was surprised by how many chairs offered swivel functionality without compromising style one bit!!
Simply adding a hidden swivel was a great way to make traditional furniture more adaptable to modern lifestyles…
3. The performance fabrics evolution
I also saw how today’s innovations in performance fabrics have continued…they become more sustainable, offer enhanced textures, and provide greater durability with new features.
Performance fabrics are a “must have” in every home, but not all performance fabrics are created for the same purpose!! Select the right one to upholster your furniture or for your window treatments, and it will provide practicality without sacrificing style, especially with the new innovations I saw at market…
I continue to be impressed by the range of textures and imitations available!!
Performance fabrics are becoming a design essential, especially now that you can select any “look” in a performance fabric imitation or with special treatments for traditional fabrics…
4. Clustered (and versatile) drink tables
Small drink tables that can be grouped together as a coffee table or moved alongside chairs for convenience are SO smart! And they’re really, really “in,” especially for entertainment spaces and vacation rentals…
I noticed a surge in popularity for these compact yet practical tables…and I’m in LOVE with some of them!!
Attention to design details like making heavier bases ensures the table’s stability to prevent tipping…these details are a MUST when you make selections!!
5. Chest-style side tables
Picture a bedroom side table. Do you envision a short stack of closed drawers? Or a simple table with empty space underneath?
What I saw at High Point was a reimagination of bedside storage with chest-like pieces offering pull-out drawers, more substantial legs, and—in line with today’s interior design trends—mixed materials!!
I saw this kind of bedroom side table in the showrooms of SEVERAL manufacturers…and I instantly though, “what a great way to blend traditional aesthetics with modern storage needs and visual appeal!!” Take a look for yourself…
This is truly an emerging interiors trend in bedroom furniture, offering a perfect blend of style and functionality.
Mixed materials add a modern twist on these otherwise-traditional-inspired designs.
6. Statement lighting Renaissance!
Bold and artistic lighting fixtures with glass and metal elements were EVERYWHERE at market, and what a way to add pops of personality to your space!!
Choosing the right statement light to hang low over the dining room table, or the perfect pendants to hang in a row over the kitchen island…now, these are updates that INSTANTLY refresh the ambiance…and they also make great conversation starters!!
Glass lighting fixtures are making a comeback, especially with mixed materials, including metal, leather…you’d be surprised!!
Metal finishes add sophistication and visual interest to statement lighting designs, and now you have SO many metal types and finish options…
7. Ornate mirrors are back
Along with the tradition-style furniture, mirrors with ornate frames were another trend I saw at High Point, which goes hand-in-hand with the resurgence of traditional interiors and maximalist design…but with a twist. Among other applications, I saw some layering of mirrors that I LOVED.
Picture the mirrors whose frames, themselves, are an adornment. You get the added perk of using mirrors in your space to add depth, elegance, and visual impact.
Layering mirrors creates a sense of luxury and depth, perfect for today’s maximalist interiors…
8. Earth tones and biophilic design
Color is back in interior design, with EVERY imaginable palette out there to express your personality…but, if there is a “most popular” color combination, it’s biophilic. Natural caramel and brown tones, along with nature-inspired textures, have been HUGE in the biophilic design movement.
Incorporating biophilic colors and textures into your home can give you a daily, much needed connection with nature, while fostering a feeling of tranquility and well-being.
Earth tones are making a comeback, adding warmth and sophistication to interiors.
Biophilic design principles promote serenity and balance, which together enhance your overall comfort.
9. Floral patterns and wallpapers
I’ve been talking about wallpaper a lot recently…and at spring market, I saw some truly BOLD looks!! The newest floral patterns are larger in scale and FAR more pronounced in texture, which both nod to today’s maximalist interior trends.
Adding a nature-themed detail like a floral or animal-covered wallpaper creates spaces with personality and charm. If it’s a style you love, you’ll know it right away. (And if not, you’ll know that, too.)
Layering wallpapers with other textures in the room can make a real design statement!!
Decade-by-Decade Interior Design
How did we get here? Where are these trends coming from?
Most of what I saw at High Point Market this trip was what we’ve seen before, in terms of overall trends. We continue to see:
- Mixed materials
- More statement pieces
- More color EVERYWHERE
- Innovative performance materials
- Innovative selections made to be more versatile
- Maximalism, Grandmillennial design, and biophilic design
- Greater expression of personality
I’ve said before, though, that interior design is cyclical. We’ve seen some of these things before!! Here’s a look at how we got where we are today…
- In the 1970s, we saw earthy tones and geometric patterns defining a “groovy” aesthetic…this was about nature AND self-expression at once.
- In the 1980s, bold colors and glamorous fixtures and finishes took over. Lavish embellishments pretty much shouted “extravagance!”
- In the 1990s, minimalism started to take hold. It favored clean lines, neutral palettes, and sleek finishes that celebrated restraint and prudence. It was essentially the pendulum swinging in the opposite direction from the previous decade…
- In the 2000s, minimalism (and the fixation with “greige” and white kitchen cabinets, etc.) continued to mark the status quo…but there was also a shift starting toward more eclectic interiors that blended traditional and contemporary elements.
- In the 2010s, transitional style married older elegance with modern, still-minimalistic sensibilities.
- In the 2020s, we’ve seen a HUGE boom of individuality…maximalism has brought back bold colors, mixed materials, and personalized touches that make a home YOURS in a real way.
What do you think about these trends?! Join me in my private Facebook group and start a conversation!!
It is fun to see so many colors and patterns back in design, isn’t it, Janet?! Thanks for reading!
Love seeing all the color and pattern! Thanks for the virtual visit to HPMKT!
The question about height is SUCH an important one, thanks for bringing it up, Rebecca! We love to take all our clients to showrooms for that very reason…to TEST the couch, step into the shower, even sit on the toilet. If it will be in your home, you need to be sure it’s comfortable for you!!
Yes I agree with all of these “critical eye” finds. I too need to write a post if HP when I find a moment but these are insightful for certain! I was struck at the low backs of so many upholstered pieces. I understand the reason for this, but wondered if they’d be as comfortable for tall people! And yes… I too love the little sude table!