Top Furniture Trends Seen at the Fall 2022 High Point Market
Spicy colors, burnished metals and classical forms were among the looks seen at the home furnishings industry event
Suzanne Ennis
October 28, 2022
Houzz Editorial Staff. I write about all aspects of home design and remodeling, but I have soft spots for historic homes, California modernism and lakefront cabins.
Houzz Editorial Staff. I write about all aspects of home design and remodeling, but... More
Natural textures, rounded shapes, sustainable materials and warm colors have dominated the world of home furnishings the last few seasons. But new and evolving finishes, silhouettes, materials, details and influences continue to make those big-picture trends feel fresh. That’s our takeaway from the U.S. furnishing industry’s biggest fall event, High Point Market in North Carolina, which returned to nearly pre-pandemic-level attendance last weekend. 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.
Union Home Coast chair
1. Themes
Nature. Nature has been the design world’s biggest influence since the onset of the pandemic, and it continues 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 of the last 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 biggest muse.
Find out how the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner and Mood Boards can help you share your designs with clients
1. Themes
Nature. Nature has been the design world’s biggest influence since the onset of the pandemic, and it continues 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 of the last 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 biggest muse.
Find out how the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner and Mood Boards can help you share your designs with clients
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 of the fall European 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-colored upholstery, for example, is made with recycled cotton from the fashion industry. Four Hands’ lounge-y 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 colorful, terrazzo-like indoor-outdoor Victoria side table, made with plastic scraps from a toy factory.
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 of the fall European 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-colored upholstery, for example, is made with recycled cotton from the fashion industry. Four Hands’ lounge-y 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 colorful, terrazzo-like indoor-outdoor Victoria side table, made with plastic scraps from a toy factory.
Cicil Curvy rug
Responsible local sourcing of natural materials — and traditional handcrafting incorporating those materials — also emerged as important trends this fall. Market newcomer Cicil, which uses no synthetic dyes or toxic chemicals and manufactures its gorgeous rugs in the Carolinas, sources wool from farmer cooperatives on the East Coast. And many furniture manufacturers touted using responsibly sourced American wood and traditional joinery in their new designs.
8 Inspiring Ideas From the 2022 London Design Festival
Responsible local sourcing of natural materials — and traditional handcrafting incorporating those materials — also emerged as important trends this fall. Market newcomer Cicil, which uses no synthetic dyes or toxic chemicals and manufactures its gorgeous rugs in the Carolinas, sources wool from farmer cooperatives on the East Coast. And many furniture manufacturers touted using responsibly sourced American wood and traditional joinery in their new designs.
8 Inspiring Ideas From the 2022 London Design Festival
Four Hands pingpong 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. Four Hands showed an entire collection, such as a pingpong table-dining table with a magnetized, removable “net” and a foosball table made of richly grained wood, aged iron and aluminum. Eichholtz’s new collection with fashion designer Philipp Plein also includes a flashy pingpong-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 like chess board tops and pullout 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. Four Hands showed an entire collection, such as a pingpong table-dining table with a magnetized, removable “net” and a foosball table made of richly grained wood, aged iron and aluminum. Eichholtz’s new collection with fashion designer Philipp Plein also includes a flashy pingpong-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 like chess board tops and pullout drink holders.
Eichholtz Chair Novelle
2. Forms
Rounded and stuffed. Enveloping, organic, rounded shapes remain the most popular silhouettes on 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. Lounge chairs, 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 remain the most popular silhouettes on 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. Lounge chairs, sofas, lighting and accent pieces played with the shape, adding 1970s and ’80s postmodern flair to showroom vignettes.
Four Hands Halston chair
Lounge-y and sexy. Midcentury 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, sexy-looking Brazilian midcentury-inspired pieces are popping up alongside the European, Scandinavian and American midcentury modern silhouettes with which we’re all now very familiar. Think rich, sensuous leather; dark wood with red undertones; handcrafted and hand-joined details; and low-slung profiles.
Lounge-y and sexy. Midcentury 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, sexy-looking Brazilian midcentury-inspired pieces are popping up alongside the European, Scandinavian and American midcentury modern silhouettes with which we’re all now very familiar. Think rich, sensuous leather; dark wood with red undertones; handcrafted and hand-joined details; and low-slung profiles.
Moe’s Zeppelin sectional
Low-profile. How low can you go? That was the big question in some showrooms, where ’70s-inspired couches and chairs were barely raised off the ground.
10 Decor Trends From Maison & Objet 2022
Low-profile. How low can you go? That was the big question in some showrooms, where ’70s-inspired couches and chairs were barely raised off the ground.
10 Decor Trends From Maison & Objet 2022
Side tables from the new Kelly Hoppen x Caracole collection
Sculptural. Often this season, furniture designs in manufacturers’ collections were really functional pieces of modern sculpture that played with negative space, material limits and asymmetry.
As we mentioned, side tables had an outsize presence at the fall market, perhaps because they’re the perfect vehicle for designers to get creative with material and form.
Sculptural. Often this season, furniture designs in manufacturers’ collections were really functional pieces of modern sculpture that played with negative space, material limits and asymmetry.
As we mentioned, side tables had an outsize presence at the fall market, perhaps because they’re the perfect vehicle for designers to get creative with material and form.
Pieces from the Thomas Pheasant for Baker fall 2022 collection
Classical. Tailored furniture designs that incorporate hallmarks of classical architecture, including columns, drapes and arches, were newly trending in showrooms this season. While fairly formal, the pieces that defined the emerging trend felt forward-looking rather than like antique reproductions.
That said, traditional furniture designs and antiques continue to be in high demand too.
Classical. Tailored furniture designs that incorporate hallmarks of classical architecture, including columns, drapes and arches, were newly trending in showrooms this season. While fairly formal, the pieces that defined the emerging trend felt forward-looking rather than like antique reproductions.
That said, traditional furniture designs and antiques continue to be in high demand too.
Rifle Paper Co. Second Edition Bramble wallpaper for York
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 market were patterns taken from 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 market were patterns taken from 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
Softened geometric. 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 sorely lacking in previous seasons’ showroom vignettes.
Softened geometric. 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 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 colored marble and travertine.
What’s New in Contemporary Furniture and Design for 2022
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 colored marble and travertine.
What’s New in Contemporary Furniture and Design for 2022
Arteriors Reuben dining table
Wood. Blonde woods have dominated contemporary furnishings in recent years, but among the standout trends at this market was a shift toward darker and warmer woods and a greater selection of wood species and finishes.
In addition to white oak and walnut, we saw pine (inspired by European antiques) and maple sourced from Northeastern forests. Beautiful burled wood and marquetry are making strong comebacks in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Color stains and finishes that accentuate the wood grain, such as fuming and cerusing, were also prominent. Even petrified wood popped up.
Note the Arteriors glass chandelier pictured here: Color-infused and wavy, watery glass is gaining popularity too, especially in lighting.
Wood. Blonde woods have dominated contemporary furnishings in recent years, but among the standout trends at this market was a shift toward darker and warmer woods and a greater selection of wood species and finishes.
In addition to white oak and walnut, we saw pine (inspired by European antiques) and maple sourced from Northeastern forests. Beautiful burled wood and marquetry are making strong comebacks in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Color stains and finishes that accentuate the wood grain, such as fuming and cerusing, were also prominent. Even petrified wood popped up.
Note the Arteriors glass chandelier pictured here: Color-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 for lighting and hardware finishes and furniture accents. Given the warming trend, 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 for lighting and hardware finishes and furniture accents. Given the warming trend, 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. Colors
Black, blue and green. A return to color in general is a big story in the interior design world, with minimalist, gray-and-white interiors on their way out.
The biggest color hit in the last few years has been green, and High Point Market showrooms this fall accordingly were 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.
Color Trends for 2023 at Maison & Objet
5. Colors
Black, blue and green. A return to color in general is a big story in the interior design world, with minimalist, gray-and-white interiors on their way out.
The biggest color hit in the last few years has been green, and High Point Market showrooms this fall accordingly were 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.
Color Trends for 2023 at Maison & Objet
Regina Andrew Bethany chair
Pastels with punch. As noted, pistachio was a popular shade for accent pieces in many showrooms this fall, 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) colors but were very pretty on their own.
Pastels with punch. As noted, pistachio was a popular shade for accent pieces in many showrooms this fall, 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) colors but were very pretty on their own.
Sherwin-Williams vignette featuring Redend Point
Rosy and autumnal colors. Fall colors were everywhere you looked at High Point this month, both on the trees outside and in the showrooms. Those warm, earthy, even spicy shades of gold, deep red, cumin and burgundy saturated the soft furnishings in showrooms.
Perhaps equally popular was a desert-inspired palette. The pinkish-brown tones of Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 color of the year, Redend Point, is a perfect example of the earthy rose, mauve and terra-cotta tones defining the trend.
Tell us: Which designs do you like best? Share in the Comments.
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Rosy and autumnal colors. Fall colors were everywhere you looked at High Point this month, both on the trees outside and in the showrooms. Those warm, earthy, even spicy shades of gold, deep red, cumin and burgundy saturated the soft furnishings in showrooms.
Perhaps equally popular was a desert-inspired palette. The pinkish-brown tones of Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 color of the year, Redend Point, is a perfect example of the earthy rose, mauve and terra-cotta tones defining the trend.
Tell us: Which designs do you like best? Share in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
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Only likeed th Bethany chair: Good back support/ arms that support your arms and can be used to support when one is trying to get up. Old ladieds like me Need those supports. I liked the wallpaper but wallpaper is just not my thing. Most everything looked uncomfortable to sit in day to day. Also, all the Mid century Modern look-- been there-done that..
I am happy to see the trend for local sourcing of materials such as hardwood and stone, as well as traditional joinery. A return to craftsmanship and quality is much better for the environment. I appreciate furniture that lasts and can be handed down rather than take up space in landfills.
I am excited about the return of color! I am also looking forward to the return of stained wood rather than the over abundance of painted furniture. Please give me back jewel tones!