Our Top Trends from NeoCon 2026
Earlier this week NeoCon 2026 wrapped up and as always, this event continues to be the premier event for interior design and great chance for us to check in with the state of the industry and what is popular with consumers today. Our team was at this event and we’ve put together a list of the top trends from NeoCon 2026 as a snapshot of this event for those who weren’t able to attend. As well we hope people can use this a resource when designing spaces with tools such as The KITS collaborator.
Biophilic Design Continues to Trend
Over the past few years, we’ve noticed a significant rise in manufacturers considering biophilic design when it comes to designing products. Biophilic design, for those who don’t know, is the incorporation of nature and natural elements into design. When it comes to furniture, this means designing products that use natural wood finishes and incorporating plants and nature into designs with considerations for things like planters, living walls and more.
This year biophilic design had a strong presence across many of the showrooms on display at NeoCon 2026. We saw several examples of spaces that incorporated natural elements in a way that was comforting and visually pleasing. We saw planters being used as a form of a natural divider in a way to break up spaces. We saw glass being used in a way to let nature into a space, while still offering privacy and natural light. We think biophilic design will continue to be a top trend in interior design for many years, especially as designers and manufacturers continue to develop products and spaces that focus on the wellness of those using their products.
Earth Tones to Promote Wellness
On the topic of wellness, color choice often plays a pivotal role in establishing the atmosphere and overall feeling of a space. This year we saw a trend of earth tones being used in spaces that were designed for comfort and casual spaces. Greens, browns, and others dominated several spaces. This was especially true for products with fabric finishes. Soft couches and seating options looked all the more inviting in these warm tones.
To touch on the incorporation of natural wood finishes again, we noticed that when we saw wood, it was almost always left in it’s natural state, or finished with a stain that kept it in theme with the earthtones surrounding it. Earthtones have become much more common in spaces that are designed to be calm and comforting. We see them more often in healthcare spaces, atriums and other hospitality spaces. It’s nice to see office furniture take this into consideration when designing seating areas or places for more casual meetings and collaboration.
Unique Finishes for Visual Interest
Another theme we saw this year was the use of unique, eye-catching finishes for some products that almost turned them into statement pieces. We saw some natural stone table tops for large conference room tables that were stunning and really stood out from some of the wooden counterparts we’ve seen before. It sticks in theme with the biophilic trend we’ve seen, but in a way that adds a unique visual.
Another trend in finishes that we saw was the use of colorful specks in finishes, with some products looking like terrazzo floors. These pops of color were always eye-grabbing and really brought a lot of visual interest to places. With maximalism getting some new popularity in recent years, we are thinking we might see a lot more products, including terrazzo in some form. We’re not alone in thinking that as a terrazzo-style flooring, was named as one of NeoCon’s best in show this year.
Right Image Credit: Mohawk Group
Further Considerations for Acoustics
The trend of considering acoustics for workspaces is back in full effect this year. Pod-like meeting spaces are a staple these days and offer a lot of different use cases. We are also seeing some more unique seating options these days that incorporate high sides and backs to create a space that feels more private, offering a space for quick calls or meetings.
We are also seeing a lot more soft textures on products these days. Couches look softer, and fabric is being included in more designs these days than in the past. All this means that sounds don’t travel as far and spaces feel quieter, allowing for better focus.
Trends for the future
We think these trends show a path forward for the rest of the year and what we can expect from manufacturers in the near future. But overall we are seeing a renewed effort to make spaces more inviting and comfortable.
We are excited to see how these trends will evolve and how different industries will look to incorporate them into their spaces.