New Trends

1- Leather Accents

Recent trends have brought an increase in the use of leather accents, notably leather straps adorning backrests. While traditional usage of leather often brings to mind a rustic, rural aesthetic, these leather details add an unexpected edginess to otherwise contemporary designs. Consider, for example, the equestrian-inspired Annie chair and the Louvre collection, both exemplifying the harmonious blend of rustic and modern minimalistic styles.

2- Layering and Texturing

We’ve also seen a rise in panelled furniture – a design method that layers different upholsteries to generate a varied and multi-dimensional effect, celebrating the materials used. The Tulli and Diamond collections, as seen at the Solane ’22 exhibition, capture this “space-age” modern twist perfectly. Split upholstery on chairs, while not a novel concept, has been given fresh life as brands compartmentalize chair elements into “Seat,” “Back,” and “Head.” This often enables designers to experiment with fabric use in novel and exciting ways.

3- Legwork

Another noteworthy trend this year is the creative focus on furniture legs. Many pieces are now showcasing straightforward designs with innovative spins on chair or table legs. For instance, take the robust legs on coffee tables like the Paw Coffee Table, which shift the focus from the tabletop. The tapering of chair legs is also evolving to incorporate not only size transitions but shape alterations, such as square to oval or round to bubbly structures.

4- Color Palette

At Salone ’22, pastel hues dominated the scene. Colors like pinks, greens, oranges, and yellows brought a lively and joyful tone, ideal for refreshing interiors, particularly as we navigate the post-pandemic world. Has anyone else noticed this vibrant shift in color trends?

5- Bouclés

Bouclé, a type of textured yarn fabric, has resurfaced in the furniture scene. It often comes in wool, but silk, linen, and cotton can be crafted to achieve the same looped texture. This year’s Salone del Mobile Milano saw a significant resurgence of bouclé furniture, aligning with the post-pandemic design ethos centered on coziness and safe spaces. Examples include the Fleuron and Edelweiss chairs, where the fabric’s texture enhances the comfort level of the seating.