Emerging Trends from High Point Market 2023 - Textures, Colors & Curves

Did you miss this year’s High Point Market? Not to worry, we had our own trend spotter on the scene. John McClain of John McClain Design gave us the rundown of everything designers need to know about this year’s emerging trends—from earthy wood grains to eye-catching fringe. Check out the video below for the full recap.

In a Word: Nature

The desire of clients to bring notes of the outdoors into their homes continues to dominate today’s design trends. Signs of the ongoing back to nature movement were everywhere, McClain says. “Everything you see comes back to this return to nature,” he says. Organic textures and curves were around every corner. Booth after booth, he saw every imaginable version of tree motifs; cane, grass, bamboo weaved accent pieces; bursting floral fabrics; flowing fringe embellishments, and dark hues.

Making Bold Statements: Whether it is a cabinet fronted with woven cane doors, an ottoman trimmed with long fringe, a sofa bathed in forest green velvet or a light fixture oversized and branchlike, brands are taking bold steps to give clients what they want. Consider the abundance of fringe finishes, for example. “They are not just sticking with simple five or six inch trims, they are really going overboard with it and making it something different, and making a statement piece you will look at,” he says. “You put one of these in a room and your eyes are going to go right to it.”

Not Your Grandmother’s Tones: Brands are embracing brown and green as gray fades as a popular paint color choice. McClain saw plenty of examples of the paint trends trickling into the furniture market. “I’ve loved green forever. I feel like it’s almost becoming the new neutral,” he says. Earthy browns are having a moment too. “From little barstools to side tables, you see these beautiful wood grain pieces like a cabinet from Arteriors to this gorgeous vignette that Rowe Furniture did, I was happy to see that the brown has come back,” he says. But never fear. The brown choices are warmer than in the days of old. “It is not stodgy; It’s not what your grandma had,”he says.

A Thirst for Business Learnings: At this year’s market, McClain noticed more and more design firms of all sizes seeking tips about the operational side of their businesses. “A lot of people were interested in running their businesses and running them efficiently and profitably versus just the design side of it,” he says. “I thought that was great, and I’m glad that we are opening up that conversation,” he says. 

Back From the Brink: McClain jokes that his back hurt from hugging so many people at the market. “I felt like this year everyone could just exhale,”he says. “Everyone was so happy.” Supply chain delays so common during the pandemic no longer dominated the conversations, designers were thrilled to be photographing their projects in person again,and they had plenty of fabulous work and happy clients to talk about. “It felt like the old days when we could just go and enjoy each other’s company,” he says.