Insights from NeoCon 2026 – A Designer’s Perspective with Maria Guillermina Gord
This June, our team traveled to Chicago and got a chance to gain some insights from NeoCon 2026. As always, this event is the premier event for interior design and a chance for furniture manufacturers to show off their latest products and solutions for multiple industries. It’s also a chance to see the trends in furniture design that are likely going to be front and center for the rest of the year.
This year, we had some designers from the KiSP team attend the event, and they had a chance to check out the showcases on display this year. Maria Guillermina Gordillo is the Sr. Operations Director of KiSP with a background in architecture and design. We had a chance to ask her about her insights into this year’s NeoCon event, and we wanted to share some of her insights with you.
Were there any new design trends this year that really caught your eye and that you are excited to work with?
One of the biggest highlights for me was the evolution of acoustic walls. I loved seeing how manufacturers are transforming them into true design features by incorporating integrated lighting, rich textures, and geometric patterns. Instead of simply serving an acoustic purpose, they’re becoming architectural elements that enhance the overall experience of a space. I definitely see this becoming an important trend.
As a designer, what trends do you think will continue for the near future?
I believe we’ll continue to see the blending of residential and workplace design. Offices are becoming more comfortable, welcoming, and livable, creating environments where people genuinely want to spend time. That residential feel—through softer materials, warm colors, and more relaxed furniture—is something I think will continue to shape commercial interiors.
What was the sentiment around the furniture industry this year at NeoCon? What in the industry is currently exciting for you as a designer?
The overall feeling was very positive and forward-looking. I think manufacturers are focusing on creating completely new product categories, like the KI, Kiara Collection ( Human Performance Seating), and on improving how people experience a space based on a specific product. I’m especially excited by the attention being given to flexibility, wellness, acoustics, and thoughtful material choices. It feels like the industry is designing around people rather than just products.
Several manufacturers stood out, each for different reasons. I was impressed by how brands focused on storytelling and creating immersive showroom experiences. The attention to craftsmanship, materiality, and sustainability made many of the showcases memorable, not just the products themselves.
Were there any products or designs for specific industries (healthcare, education, hospitality, architecture, etc.) that stood out to you?
Yes. I found the solutions for education and healthcare particularly inspiring. Both sectors are moving toward environments that feel less institutional and more comfortable and human-centered.
NeoCon 2026 – A Glimpse of What’s to Come
With that, we wrap up on NeoCon 2026. As always, our team is grateful to attend this amazing event and we always love to see what’s new and upcoming in our industry. We will keep following the trends that we saw come up at this year’s event and make sure to keep our audience informed of important trends.
Want to speak to our designer team yourself? Contact us now.