20 Furniture Trends From the Fall 2023 High Point Market
See subtle refreshes of enduring trends — plus fun design details — that stood out at the trade show
Since the pandemic ushered in a revolution in home furnishing trends, the rate of change seems to have settled into more of an evolution from season to season. In fact, the looks at the fall 2023 High Point Market (Oct. 14-18) in North Carolina, which showcased furniture manufacturers’ newest offerings, were largely a continuation of what we saw last spring. Natural motifs and materials were everywhere. Blues, greens and warm neutrals remained dominant. Traditional, mid-mod and Art Deco influences were abundant. Comfy curves were still king. And a continued (and welcome) emphasis on craftsmanship, individuality and sustainability made the most faddish designs feel out of step.
Still, small shifts meant new looks, and some trends just beginning to gain traction last season were ubiquitous this fall. There were also little design details that kept popping up — an upholstered leg here, a belt there — that turned touring showrooms into a game of Where’s Waldo. Here’s what felt familiar and what felt fresh at the show.
Still, small shifts meant new looks, and some trends just beginning to gain traction last season were ubiquitous this fall. There were also little design details that kept popping up — an upholstered leg here, a belt there — that turned touring showrooms into a game of Where’s Waldo. Here’s what felt familiar and what felt fresh at the show.
This Maya Blue collection from Currey & Co., which is hand-wrapped and lacquered in blue linen, shows the medium blue in a more traditional silhouette.
The fact that attendees were sporting manicures in Upward, Sherwin-Williams’ light blue 2024 Color of the Year, reinforced blue’s status as the hue of the moment at the market.
7 Color Trends for 2024 at Maison & Objet
The fact that attendees were sporting manicures in Upward, Sherwin-Williams’ light blue 2024 Color of the Year, reinforced blue’s status as the hue of the moment at the market.
7 Color Trends for 2024 at Maison & Objet
2. Green’s got legs. Blue tones may be forecast to fill our homes in 2024 and 2025, but green’s still in the game. Professional trend trackers note that previous seasons’ greens had more yellow undertones, whereas the newest greens lean more teal, but green in all its many shades and tones was everywhere. These Danza chairs from Precedent Furniture are just one example.
Details, details: Note how the leather covers the chair legs so there’s no wood or metal visible. Textile- and leather-covered chair legs like these were seen in many showrooms.
Details, details: Note how the leather covers the chair legs so there’s no wood or metal visible. Textile- and leather-covered chair legs like these were seen in many showrooms.
3. Powerful pastels. Pastel color palettes from past seasons got a subtle refresh too. This season they looked more vibrant and less sweet and were often paired with a black or white (or black-and-white) backdrop or sandy and caramel tones, as you can see in this vignette featuring the burled wood Brenne desk from Lemieux et Cie by Precedent.
Details, details: If you saw a lineup of dining chairs in a showroom this season, you could count on at least one arched back like the one pictured here.
Details, details: If you saw a lineup of dining chairs in a showroom this season, you could count on at least one arched back like the one pictured here.
This vignette of the Made Goods raffia Conrad dresser and beige hair-on-hide Essex stool against a peach backdrop is another example of warm neutral tones paired with a vibrant pastel.
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4. Raisin in the sun. This arrangement featuring a Lillian August Kira chair shows off a deeper raisin, mauve, yellow-ochre, pale pink and warm brown color scheme that was prominent at some European design shows this year, as well as here and there at High Point.
5. All the warm neutrals. The general — seismic, really — shift from gray and minimalist to colorful, print-filled interiors over the past few years is real. But also real is the fact that most of us opt for neutrals when we buy big-ticket items, so manufacturers always produce and show plenty of them. The reports of gray being dead are grossly exaggerated.
That said, today’s grays tend to be taupe- and sage-leaning, and they’re paired with caramel, cream, chocolate, terra cotta and ocher to create neutral palettes with a lot of warmth and depth, as seen in this photo featuring Surya market debuts.
That said, today’s grays tend to be taupe- and sage-leaning, and they’re paired with caramel, cream, chocolate, terra cotta and ocher to create neutral palettes with a lot of warmth and depth, as seen in this photo featuring Surya market debuts.
This Tryor lounge chair from Sunpan is a specific warm, neutral taupe — the company calls the new leather color Sahara Sand — that was prevalent this fall. (Note the color in the Made Goods designs a few photos back.)
Details, details: Whether cinching still-popular overstuffed and voluminous forms or used merely as a decorative element, belts (buckle and all) and belt-like details like the one seen here caught our eye in both furnishings and lighting fixtures.
Details, details: Whether cinching still-popular overstuffed and voluminous forms or used merely as a decorative element, belts (buckle and all) and belt-like details like the one seen here caught our eye in both furnishings and lighting fixtures.
Pattern and Texture
6. Retooled toile. In our spring 2023 High Point Market report, we mentioned that fresh takes on traditional designs were an important trend. That was perhaps even more the case at the fall market across categories, including in wall coverings and textile patterns. Toile and chinoiserie, for example, have been enjoying extended moments, and we saw some beautiful blue-and-white examples.
Sometimes the takes were a bit tongue-in-cheek, such as this Modern Vista Toile from York Wallcoverings. Look closely and you’ll see vignettes from American road trips instead of French pastoral scenes.
6. Retooled toile. In our spring 2023 High Point Market report, we mentioned that fresh takes on traditional designs were an important trend. That was perhaps even more the case at the fall market across categories, including in wall coverings and textile patterns. Toile and chinoiserie, for example, have been enjoying extended moments, and we saw some beautiful blue-and-white examples.
Sometimes the takes were a bit tongue-in-cheek, such as this Modern Vista Toile from York Wallcoverings. Look closely and you’ll see vignettes from American road trips instead of French pastoral scenes.
7. Tweed time. Highly textured, tactile materials remain hugely important, though the ubiquitous white boucle and caning of seasons past now have plenty of company. Perhaps connected to the 2023 fashion trend of the cropped Chanel-style tweed jacket, nubby, multicolor tweeds were prominent in many manufacturers’ new collections this fall.
Thibaut, for example, introduced the Dunmore collection of indoor high-performance tweeds, which are made of a mix of recycled materials including wool, cotton and linen. (The Elgin pattern in the Juniper color is seen here.)
Thibaut, for example, introduced the Dunmore collection of indoor high-performance tweeds, which are made of a mix of recycled materials including wool, cotton and linen. (The Elgin pattern in the Juniper color is seen here.)
8. Soft geometry. Designers continue to look to midcentury modern, Bauhaus, Art Deco and Memphis style for pattern inspiration. The aptly named Memphis credenza and cabinet by Currey & Co. nod to the 1980s design movement with a geometric mix of natural oak, Mindi wood in an espresso finish, black Macassar ebony and mahogany.
Pattern Makes a Comeback at Maison & Objet Fall 2023
Pattern Makes a Comeback at Maison & Objet Fall 2023
Details, details: Designers collectively seem to have decided that the front of credenzas are the perfect place for artistic expression. The previous Currey & Co. piece and this Camaraderie credenza from Hooker Furniture’s Susan B. Komen collection were just two of gazillions of gorgeous credenza fronts all over the High Point showrooms.
9. Checks and balances. Speaking of geometric patterns, the bold checkerboard that’s been all over social media the last couple of years had mostly subtle representation at the market. Wood or metal surface texture (as on this brushed brass Laporte coffee table from Eichholtz) created the pattern in nonupholstered furniture.
Stitching (such as that on the previously pictured hide stool by Made Goods) and distinctive weave patterns, like that on this leather ottoman from Jamie Young Co., also read as checkerboard without looking overtly trendy.
Details, details: Mirrors — especially funky-shaped versions like this Denali mirror — are more and more common in collections. And dining chairs with delicate, mosquito-like legs seem to be proliferating too.
Details, details: Mirrors — especially funky-shaped versions like this Denali mirror — are more and more common in collections. And dining chairs with delicate, mosquito-like legs seem to be proliferating too.
10. Folksy florals. Florals are another interior design staple, so to call them trendy feels a little silly. But they’ve been an area of special focus for a couple of years now, and designers keep playing with scale, color and species to keep things interesting.
This season, folkloric patterns (whether Scandinavian, Americana-inspired or Mexican) seemed to be peaking. Examples include York Wallcoverings’ Rifle Paper collections and the new Dahling pattern on this Spicher and Co. rolled vinyl flooring.
This season, folkloric patterns (whether Scandinavian, Americana-inspired or Mexican) seemed to be peaking. Examples include York Wallcoverings’ Rifle Paper collections and the new Dahling pattern on this Spicher and Co. rolled vinyl flooring.
11. Bold blooms. We saw plenty of bold, abstract florals on textiles, wall coverings, rugs, art and accessories too. Here’s a colorful example: Surya’s Shindig rug.
Details, details: Like credenzas, rugs are a great canvas for creativity. This season, designers broke out of the box with free-form and circular shapes, carved piles, mixed materials and metallic threads.
Details, details: Like credenzas, rugs are a great canvas for creativity. This season, designers broke out of the box with free-form and circular shapes, carved piles, mixed materials and metallic threads.
Material and Finish
12. Metallic moments. Among the trends that emerged in spring and were in full force this fall was the use of gold, brass and other warm metallic finishes across furnishings categories. (Fashion followers take note: There was a marked increase in attendees with metallic footwear this fall too.)
This spectacular Cosmo credenza from Universal Furniture’s new Modern collection has doors encrusted with pyrite squares, and the entire case is wrapped in aluminum with an aged satin pewter finish.
12. Metallic moments. Among the trends that emerged in spring and were in full force this fall was the use of gold, brass and other warm metallic finishes across furnishings categories. (Fashion followers take note: There was a marked increase in attendees with metallic footwear this fall too.)
This spectacular Cosmo credenza from Universal Furniture’s new Modern collection has doors encrusted with pyrite squares, and the entire case is wrapped in aluminum with an aged satin pewter finish.
Other metallic accents were more subtle, like the brass inlay in this Sherrill Occasional Flora cocktail table.
Details, details: Warm metallics also showed up in wall coverings, giving a little gleam to wood veneers and paper weaves. Dark metallics like iron, on the other hand, usually looked hand-forged and matte.
Details, details: Warm metallics also showed up in wall coverings, giving a little gleam to wood veneers and paper weaves. Dark metallics like iron, on the other hand, usually looked hand-forged and matte.
13. Stunning stone. Heavy, monolithic stone continues to be a dominant material, especially for occasional tables. But colorful marbles — and convincing facsimiles, like these faux marble Adeline coffee tables from Arteriors — have largely replaced cool white Carrara as the marbles du jour.
14. Hides and seek. Whereas leather works in any design style, hair-on-hide leather, which you can see on these Whittemore-Sherrill chairs and ottoman, has usually been associated with rustic decor. At this show, after spotting our tenth hair-on-hide occasional piece in showrooms better known for their contemporary or traditional designs, we decided that it must’ve expanded its reach while we weren’t looking.
This new-for-fall Brooks bench from Regina Andrew, which works for seating and as a coffee table, was a standout. And Made Goods’ previously pictured Essex stool is another hair-on-hide example.
15. Mostly matte. Last but not least on the finish front, matte black and white continue their reign over colorful, shiny lacquers (though with water’s rise as an influence, wet-looking finishes may be in our futures).
Their popularity may stem in part from the fact that they serve as convenient foils against which bold colors can really pop, and they don’t distract from the form and craftsmanship of furniture pieces.
This vignette featuring Ethnicraft’s Elements collection shows off its new hand-finished microcement material, which has an earthy, stony finish.
Details, details: Sculptural, blocky, Brutalist forms have maintained their popularity, helping to bring balance — a bit of a buzzword at the market — to the curves that took over a few seasons back.
Their popularity may stem in part from the fact that they serve as convenient foils against which bold colors can really pop, and they don’t distract from the form and craftsmanship of furniture pieces.
This vignette featuring Ethnicraft’s Elements collection shows off its new hand-finished microcement material, which has an earthy, stony finish.
Details, details: Sculptural, blocky, Brutalist forms have maintained their popularity, helping to bring balance — a bit of a buzzword at the market — to the curves that took over a few seasons back.
Form
16. Round and soft. Curvy, overstuffed and quilted forms were still out in full force at the market, especially in seating. But the silhouettes seemed less amorphous and blobby than in seasons past. Round coffee tables, dining tables, rugs and even chaises on sectionals, like this Sunpan Laken sofa, made the simple circle look modern and fresh.
16. Round and soft. Curvy, overstuffed and quilted forms were still out in full force at the market, especially in seating. But the silhouettes seemed less amorphous and blobby than in seasons past. Round coffee tables, dining tables, rugs and even chaises on sectionals, like this Sunpan Laken sofa, made the simple circle look modern and fresh.
17. Stylish support. We mentioned that round dining tables were prominent this year, but we were even more impressed by what was under the tables: ornately carved, metal and sculptural pedestals and legs. They included these tambour-like supports on Interlude Home’s Laurel dining table, a round version of which is also available.
18. Gentle ribbing. Speaking of circular forms, stools, light fixtures and decorative objects resembling stacks of inner tubes were a notable microtrend. And tube-like furniture shapes, which we reported on at last year’s fall market, continue to be on-trend (especially in European designs), so perhaps this is an outgrowth. In any case, as this Made Goods Alana stool illustrates, the ribs create a fun textural moment.
19. Tri, tri again. When talking about trends, usually we look at design elements that show up across furniture categories. But if we look at trends within the chair category specifically, there was one standout: the three-legged chair. Dining chairs, club chairs, accent chairs — they all lost a leg. (Rest assured, we sat in several, and they’re quite stable.) This cognac leather Daria chair from Four Hands is a handsome example.
20. Low slung, high style. We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention the rising popularity of Brazilian mid-mod-style lounge chairs, which we first noticed in the Four Hands showroom at last year’s fall market. The brand’s newest version, the Lucio chair designed by Thomas Bina and Ronald Sasson, blends modern minimalist and Brazilian influences. It’s pictured here with the new oversize round Sheffield coffee table.
Tell us: Which of these trends do you predict will still be strong in fall 2024 and which do you think will lose steam? Share in the Comments.
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Tell us: Which of these trends do you predict will still be strong in fall 2024 and which do you think will lose steam? Share in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
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1. Blue is big. As mentioned, nature has influenced every element of home design for the past few seasons, including color. After last spring’s market, we reported that manufacturers en masse had begun looking to the ocean for design inspiration, and this season we saw water in general as a theme. Consequently, the blues and blue-greens that began popping up last season were even bigger this fall — and their importance is growing.
Showrooms were awash in midtone blues like the one on this new Ripple credenza from BDI, but richer, deeper teals and watery green-blues were also trickling in.
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