10 Furniture Trends From the USA's 2021 High Point Market Fair
Curvaceous shapes, light timbers, gilded surfaces and plush fabrics were among the looks on tap at the design trade show
Comfort, curves and a connection to nature remained strong influences for new furnishings and accessories at the most recent 2021 High Point Market, which opened to the design trade this weekend in the USA’s High Point, North Carolina. Sofas and chairs in luxe and cosy fabrics were rounded and contoured, sometimes with a touch of humour. Furniture crafted of organic woods and rattan were combined with black to dramatic effect. And nature prints were inspired by the plants and animals of Africa, Europe and beyond.
Read on to see these trends and more from the autumn edition of this year’s trade fair, which ran from 16 to 20 October 2021.
Read on to see these trends and more from the autumn edition of this year’s trade fair, which ran from 16 to 20 October 2021.
A beautiful formation of open circles of different sizes supports this steel-and-glass console table by CFC.
Large symmetrical columns inspired by ancient Greek architecture ground this marble-and-cement dining table by Ditre Italia. The smooth lines and colours nod to the table’s sculptural and minimalist influences.
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2. Curved and contoured forms
Sofas, sectionals and chairs that embrace the body with rounded edges, circular forms and curves dominated seating shown at the event.
Moe’s Home Collection showed this curved, rust-coloured sectional in a modern-retro room full of neutrals, timbers, rich blue leather and a round black-and-white coffee table with gold accents.
Sofas, sectionals and chairs that embrace the body with rounded edges, circular forms and curves dominated seating shown at the event.
Moe’s Home Collection showed this curved, rust-coloured sectional in a modern-retro room full of neutrals, timbers, rich blue leather and a round black-and-white coffee table with gold accents.
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Curves and smooth lines from top to bottom, front to back and side to side were seen in Nathan Anthony Furniture’s whimsical Alais furniture collection of accent chair, bench and bed. The solid wood spherical legs in a blonde finish seen on this chair are featured throughout the collection.
This traditional and mid-century-style chair by Camerich plays up waves, contours and symmetry in its design. It’s a great example of how brands are using curved and rounded edges to envelop the body and provide extra support. The Echo Petite chair is available in fabric or leather.
3. Organic timber
An emphasis on the raw beauty of wood was a key theme this season at High Point Market. Makers big and small showed how timber furniture can be sophisticated, attainable and locally made.
Artist and furniture maker Aspen Golann showed these black walnut chairs that reimagine the classic Windsor chair. Each piece is handmade from logs felled on her property in North Carolina, USA, using a sustainable process that requires no electricity or power tools.
An emphasis on the raw beauty of wood was a key theme this season at High Point Market. Makers big and small showed how timber furniture can be sophisticated, attainable and locally made.
Artist and furniture maker Aspen Golann showed these black walnut chairs that reimagine the classic Windsor chair. Each piece is handmade from logs felled on her property in North Carolina, USA, using a sustainable process that requires no electricity or power tools.
4. Rattan and cane
Natural plant fibers have been having a moment in the design world, and this season brands revealed furniture pieces from light, breezy and beachy to moody, dark and alluring.
This mahogany sideboard is wrapped in natural rattan and embellished with a subtle diamond motif. Storage cupboards and cabinets throughout High Point showed a range of styles and fibrous materials. This one is from Jamie Young Co.
Natural plant fibers have been having a moment in the design world, and this season brands revealed furniture pieces from light, breezy and beachy to moody, dark and alluring.
This mahogany sideboard is wrapped in natural rattan and embellished with a subtle diamond motif. Storage cupboards and cabinets throughout High Point showed a range of styles and fibrous materials. This one is from Jamie Young Co.
Chairs, tables and desks that mixed deep blacks and caning were prevalent at the market, as seen in this mid-century modern club chair by Noir.
Currey & Company introduced this handmade timber chest with split rattan patterns on the doors. Beautiful aesthetics aside, the chest has functional features such as dovetail drawer boxes, soft-close drawer slides and adjustable glides.
5. Gilded goods
Gold-hued and brass furniture and lighting also appeared throughout High Point in various forms. Some items were awash with golden tones, while others used glimmer in more subtle ways.
For example, this Fenwich hall cabinet by Bassett Mirror Co has an exaggerated, glossy gold-leaf finish on its door handles and frame. Back-painted glass panels in a bluish-grey hue bring a bit of balance to the high-gloss hardware and trim.
Gold-hued and brass furniture and lighting also appeared throughout High Point in various forms. Some items were awash with golden tones, while others used glimmer in more subtle ways.
For example, this Fenwich hall cabinet by Bassett Mirror Co has an exaggerated, glossy gold-leaf finish on its door handles and frame. Back-painted glass panels in a bluish-grey hue bring a bit of balance to the high-gloss hardware and trim.
Arteriors introduced a chandelier inspired by ruffles and the classic circle skirt. The Katya light, made by hand-layering vintage brass sheets, has nine lights that create a soft glow and subtle shine.
6. Playing with perspective
No doubt you already know how to effectively create the appearance of depth in a space by using furniture that offers optical illusions or provides unique points of view. Designers and brands showed new pieces that are striking from several perspectives.
Studio A Home debuted a collection of end tables with alternating mango wood, bovine bone and walnut in vertical and horizontal patterns. These shifts between materials and orientations change the way each table is experienced.
No doubt you already know how to effectively create the appearance of depth in a space by using furniture that offers optical illusions or provides unique points of view. Designers and brands showed new pieces that are striking from several perspectives.
Studio A Home debuted a collection of end tables with alternating mango wood, bovine bone and walnut in vertical and horizontal patterns. These shifts between materials and orientations change the way each table is experienced.
A subtle sunburst pattern in a neutral tone tops a contoured, slatted base on this dining room table by Theodore Alexander. Depending on your point of view, it looks like the slats are creating a lattice pattern or disappearing into one another.
The vertical, horizontal, triangular and circular grooves on this ceramic side table by Laura Muller for Seasonal Living form elegant patterns and shapes that create multiple viewing angles for the eye to enjoy.
7. Very, very velvety
This smooth fabric showed up on seating in colours ranging from lilac to cognac. The comfortable yet luxurious nature of velvet is perfect for relaxing at home. This curved, mint-coloured velvet sofa by TOV Furniture falls in line with many paint brands’ 2022 colour forecasts.
This smooth fabric showed up on seating in colours ranging from lilac to cognac. The comfortable yet luxurious nature of velvet is perfect for relaxing at home. This curved, mint-coloured velvet sofa by TOV Furniture falls in line with many paint brands’ 2022 colour forecasts.
The pink velvet on this dining room chair by Modway isn’t just for looks. It’s a performance fabric that’s perfect for preventing set-in food stains.
Browse more beautifully styled dining spaces
Browse more beautifully styled dining spaces
8. The natural world
Plant and animal motifs made a big impact at the event. The world has been yearning to get back outside and appreciate nature, which can be seen in these new designs.
Furniture brand Hickory White unveiled a graphic maple chest with doors that echo the richness of zebra hide. Brass touches on the pulls and base add warmth to balance the bold white-and-black pattern.
Plant and animal motifs made a big impact at the event. The world has been yearning to get back outside and appreciate nature, which can be seen in these new designs.
Furniture brand Hickory White unveiled a graphic maple chest with doors that echo the richness of zebra hide. Brass touches on the pulls and base add warmth to balance the bold white-and-black pattern.
Poetic Pillow showed cushion covers with colourful vignettes of birds, flowers, plants and trees. This Amazonian Parrots print features birds against a backdrop of creamy yellow azaleas and blue sky.
Flowering trees, rocky mounds, wading birds, reeds, grasses and flowers fill the Kensington White Work wall covering by The Mural Source. This six-panel mural was inspired by English curtains embroidered in chinoiserie style around 1690 to 1730.
9. Ribbing and fluting
A handful of the new releases at the fair incorporated ribbing in their designs. Hard textured surfaces that are rhythmic and balanced, such as these, showed up in a few furniture categories.
For example, Eloquence introduced side tables in a white plaster finish that resemble slices of an ancient Greek Corinthian column. The ebb and flow of the ribbing on the low tables imbues them with texture and dimension.
A handful of the new releases at the fair incorporated ribbing in their designs. Hard textured surfaces that are rhythmic and balanced, such as these, showed up in a few furniture categories.
For example, Eloquence introduced side tables in a white plaster finish that resemble slices of an ancient Greek Corinthian column. The ebb and flow of the ribbing on the low tables imbues them with texture and dimension.
10. Hide, sheepskin and bouclé
Cowhide and leather, shearling, faux sheepskin and bouclé were used in the upholstery of a wide range of formal and casual seating. The textured fabrics and skins reference the natural world and the feeling of comfort that people are seeking during this pandemic era.
This cylindrical ottoman by Mercana is covered in natural hair-on-hide leather finished in mottled shades of white and grey.
Cowhide and leather, shearling, faux sheepskin and bouclé were used in the upholstery of a wide range of formal and casual seating. The textured fabrics and skins reference the natural world and the feeling of comfort that people are seeking during this pandemic era.
This cylindrical ottoman by Mercana is covered in natural hair-on-hide leather finished in mottled shades of white and grey.
A creamy bouclé fabric wraps the soft curves, tapered arms and cloud-like design of this sofa by Dovetail.
Your turn
Which of these 10 trends from the USA are you seeing in local furniture and interior design? Share your thoughts in the Comments. And remember to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
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Your turn
Which of these 10 trends from the USA are you seeing in local furniture and interior design? Share your thoughts in the Comments. And remember to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need your next dose of great international design? Catch up on the latest here with Top Trends to Take Home From London’s Decorex Design Fair 2021
Eye-catching bases showed up as a trends during the first edition of this year’s High Point Market. This season, designers and brands are showcasing table foundations with bigger and bolder shapes.
Bungalow 5 debuted this glass-top table with a dramatic base in a brushed-brass finish that models the structure of an atom.