NeoCon 2022: trends

This year we were most curious to see how the commercial furnishings market would address product development for the new workplace, as we plan a return to the office. Agility and flexibility remain of utmost importance to address multiple ways of working as well as scaling and redesigning the workplace as we begin to come back online. Mobility is key, so furniture on casters was predominant impacting long collaborative tables, lounge chairs, privacy screens, whiteboards, and storage accessories to name a few. In addition, furniture systems continue to be a blend of hybrid of products to allow for flexibility for both collaborative as well as individual work. One system also incorporated a pivot mechanism to address functionality designed around the need to be hardwired.

Several furniture introductions also spanned indoor and outdoor installations using materials suitable for both, as we maximize outdoor space utilization.

There were several new "phone booth" introductions and enhancements, many now incorporating technology to support virtual meetings while also addressing the air exchange rate, making it safer for multiple users to occupy each day, in anticipation of more employees choosing to work privately in the workplace.

Acoustic and privacy panels still prevailed for desking systems, and in general, furniture seemed to have a more casual appeal. Details ranging from bulbous forms, rounded edges/corners, as well as wider diameter tubular frames were visible on furniture systems and ancillary pieces.

Colorful, patterns prevailed in both products used to design specific showrooms, and also new product introductions by manufacturers. This also tied into the general color trends evident this year with richer and brighter colors evoking, cheerful and more engaging spaces. Monochromatic powder coating for furniture frames and accessories turned metal products we once knew in natural finishes, into more unique designs.

There was a continuous blending of woods, and the range throughout the show extended from light to medium tones in a range of species. A mix of materials was refreshing to see blending woods with concrete terrazzo countertops, as well as metal and glass. Recycled plastic was also popular for tabletops, floor coverings and decorative architectural panels.

Textile durability and ease of cleaning impacted introductions with many Incorporating fibers suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, or coated technologies. Knitted fabrics were also popular, providing greater ability to be stretched supporting more rounded and bulbous furniture forms. Also, renewable and recycled fibers were dominant to address sustainability.

I look forward to recommending many of these new introductions for upcoming projects and please feel free to contact me at info@resourceplusdesign.com if you would like details about a particular image.

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