7 Contemporary Furniture Trends for the Year Ahead
Playful shapes, reflective accents and sustainable materials were among the standouts at America’s ICFF trade event
Contemporary furniture is a product of present-day style preferences and technologies, so it’s constantly evolving. A great place to see the most cutting-edge designs – and learn about the new ideas, influences and innovations behind them – is the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), held annually at New York’s Javits Center.
Here are some of the latest trends we spotted among the furnishings at the 19-21 May show, which featured both established and up-and-coming designers from around the world.
Here are some of the latest trends we spotted among the furnishings at the 19-21 May show, which featured both established and up-and-coming designers from around the world.
The gravity-defying Indy chair by Brazilian furniture company Bell’Arte has a similar layered look, with thin, spaced-out strips of wood instead of stacked slices. The strips appear to have been steam-bent to create the chair’s lounge-y, softly contoured shape.
Layering light and mid-tone woods and then steam-bending them into sinuous, ribbon-like forms was another interesting approach we saw in furniture pieces throughout the fair.
Architect and designer Andres Marino Maza showed off several gorgeous examples, including this Nina & Beni chair, which was made in Madrid of steam-bent ash and cherry.
Architect and designer Andres Marino Maza showed off several gorgeous examples, including this Nina & Beni chair, which was made in Madrid of steam-bent ash and cherry.
Quebec-based Kino Guerin presented a collection of ribbon-like benches that included this aptly named Looping bench, made of laminated bent plywood with wood veneer.
Worth noting is that these curvy shapes are continuations of a trend that’s persisted for several seasons and was pervasive once again at this show, as is evident in many of the examples below.
Worth noting is that these curvy shapes are continuations of a trend that’s persisted for several seasons and was pervasive once again at this show, as is evident in many of the examples below.
2. Funky mirrors and reflective metallic accents
Funky decor took many forms at this year’s fair, but we found shiny metallic and mirrored wall accents to be particularly fresh and abundant. Often they were colourful, sculptural, large-scale or all three.
These pieces are by Zieta, a Polish studio that creates 3D metal objects by injecting compressed air between two thin sheets of steel. Some of these inflated, shiny metal pieces, such as the Tafla mirrors shown here, had a silver or soft golden finish. Others, such as the studio’s donut-like Rondo mirrors, were shown in bold colours, including jade green.
Funky decor took many forms at this year’s fair, but we found shiny metallic and mirrored wall accents to be particularly fresh and abundant. Often they were colourful, sculptural, large-scale or all three.
These pieces are by Zieta, a Polish studio that creates 3D metal objects by injecting compressed air between two thin sheets of steel. Some of these inflated, shiny metal pieces, such as the Tafla mirrors shown here, had a silver or soft golden finish. Others, such as the studio’s donut-like Rondo mirrors, were shown in bold colours, including jade green.
Ukrainian company PlusObject also had a booth full of shiny, colourful 3D metallic sculptures and mirrors. These Drops, made of titanium-coated glass, resemble large-scale beads of water or oil.
Colourful decorative mirrors designed more for beauty than function seem to be having a moment, too.
In Bespoke, a new section of the fair focused on high-end craftsmanship, French studio and gallery Trame presented Martin Grasser’s Portraits collection, a piece of which is seen on the wall here.
The mirrors are made of Venetian glass and are designed with an algorithm that translates letters into colours and shapes. This piece started with the phrase “Kiss me back”.
In Bespoke, a new section of the fair focused on high-end craftsmanship, French studio and gallery Trame presented Martin Grasser’s Portraits collection, a piece of which is seen on the wall here.
The mirrors are made of Venetian glass and are designed with an algorithm that translates letters into colours and shapes. This piece started with the phrase “Kiss me back”.
Another elegant example of the trend was launched at ICFF by Kombi, a New York-based design gallery that showcases Southern African designers.
Spectrum by Water Dixon, pictured here, is a line of custom-made mirrors in gradient and solid colours that are achieved by layering combinations of pure metals onto transparent sheet glass. Grouped on a wall, they evoke a dazzling sunset.
Spectrum by Water Dixon, pictured here, is a line of custom-made mirrors in gradient and solid colours that are achieved by layering combinations of pure metals onto transparent sheet glass. Grouped on a wall, they evoke a dazzling sunset.
3. Earthy and raw surfaces
The other end of the colour and texture spectrum was also well represented at the fair, with a wide variety of surfaces and products made of earth-toned natural materials that looked raw and almost eroded.
One eye-catcher was this ancient-looking, craggy Oya stone wall covering from New York-based Ippin Project, which focuses on Japanese products.
The other end of the colour and texture spectrum was also well represented at the fair, with a wide variety of surfaces and products made of earth-toned natural materials that looked raw and almost eroded.
One eye-catcher was this ancient-looking, craggy Oya stone wall covering from New York-based Ippin Project, which focuses on Japanese products.
Los Angeles-based furniture company Olivya Stone doubled down on the trend with its Kurow side table, which pairs a tumbled-looking cast-glass top with a hole-filled travertine base.
ICFF’s Wanted section is dedicated to supporting emerging design. Within it, the Look Book programme focuses on smaller, high-end North American design studios and makers.
One Look Book participant, Simon Johns, showed new pieces from his Future Fossils series that combined aluminium with slip-cast stoneware resembling striated sedimentary stone. New lamps, not pictured here, had thick, backlit amber-like glass that looked like molten lava.
One Look Book participant, Simon Johns, showed new pieces from his Future Fossils series that combined aluminium with slip-cast stoneware resembling striated sedimentary stone. New lamps, not pictured here, had thick, backlit amber-like glass that looked like molten lava.
Rugs with high-low textures have become more popular across the design industry in recent years, and those presented at this contemporary fair fit into the eroded-surface trend.
Warp & Weft’s Gale rug, from its new Terra collection designed in collaboration with the Yabu Pushelberg firm, had an irregular, carved-out look inspired by aerial views of landscapes.
Warp & Weft’s Gale rug, from its new Terra collection designed in collaboration with the Yabu Pushelberg firm, had an irregular, carved-out look inspired by aerial views of landscapes.
4. Stone-topped tables
Stone and stone-topped tables were also hot at ICFF – and there was one to suit pretty much any decorating scheme.
This Hashi table by Italian furniture company Lebanto is an elegant example that features a dramatic Calacatta Viola top and base.
Stone and stone-topped tables were also hot at ICFF – and there was one to suit pretty much any decorating scheme.
This Hashi table by Italian furniture company Lebanto is an elegant example that features a dramatic Calacatta Viola top and base.
Vie Marble presented a line of more subdued and earthy coffee and side tables with natural stone bases and thin tops in a polished contrasting stone.
This Onyx Dreams coffee table, for example, has a translucent onyx top on a base of Albamiele, known as Spanish sandstone.
This Onyx Dreams coffee table, for example, has a translucent onyx top on a base of Albamiele, known as Spanish sandstone.
The top of this beautiful red oak table by Look Book participant Autonomous Furniture looks like undyed leather, but it’s actually made of Cosentino’s stone-like Dekton, a porcelain product.
5. Silver-toned metal
Stainless-steel and aluminium pieces with a natural silver finish shone at this fair. Often they were paired with contrasting natural materials, such as luxurious marbles or polished wood.
For example, Norwegian furniture company Lunnheim showcased a collection of stainless-steel pieces that included a table with an industrial-looking base and Calacatta Viola marble top (pictured).
Stainless-steel and aluminium pieces with a natural silver finish shone at this fair. Often they were paired with contrasting natural materials, such as luxurious marbles or polished wood.
For example, Norwegian furniture company Lunnheim showcased a collection of stainless-steel pieces that included a table with an industrial-looking base and Calacatta Viola marble top (pictured).
Wanted Look Book participant Futureforms presented its Nefos table, which is made from hundreds of stainless-steel discs. The limited-edition tables are made in Northern California in a process that combines digital design with traditional metalworking.
Look Book participant 8888 is a collective of Montreal-based makers. Its booth included a variety of edgy pieces, including a raw aluminium decorative screen designed by the collective’s founder, Jean-Michel Gadoua.
Collectif Ensemble was another Look Book participant hailing from Montreal. The aluminium Spline table designed by collective member Jérémy Paguet was shown in colourful, powder-coated finishes alongside this silver-toned version. Note the rough, eroded-looking edges.
6. Playful shapes
Contemporary furniture is often edgy and ultra-sophisticated, but it can be approachable, too. In fact, many of the designs at this year’s fair were downright whimsical and begging to be touched.
One piece that elicited smiles was this fun Tom chair by Reggyyy, a young industrial designer and self-taught 3D artist based in Montreal. Tom won the top award for furniture in ICFF’s Launch Pad at Wanted programme, which showcases prototypes by international designers who are relatively new to the design scene.
Contemporary furniture is often edgy and ultra-sophisticated, but it can be approachable, too. In fact, many of the designs at this year’s fair were downright whimsical and begging to be touched.
One piece that elicited smiles was this fun Tom chair by Reggyyy, a young industrial designer and self-taught 3D artist based in Montreal. Tom won the top award for furniture in ICFF’s Launch Pad at Wanted programme, which showcases prototypes by international designers who are relatively new to the design scene.
Heller, which has been producing innovative products since 1971, introduced an indoor-outdoor chair inspired by a fortune cookie. Already available at retail, the chair (dubbed Fortune) is made from 25% recycled material and is recyclable at the end of its life. It’s also lightweight and comfortable.
New York-based biophilic design and production studio Opiary presented its hand-sculpted, indoor-outdoor designs in an immersive booth filled with plants.
Its Alice in Wonderland-like pieces included the Drillium chaise and chair, pictured here, which sit alongside an all-weather Hoodoo lamp.
Its Alice in Wonderland-like pieces included the Drillium chaise and chair, pictured here, which sit alongside an all-weather Hoodoo lamp.
Whimsical designs could still look luxurious. Case in point: this Dear Dr Spock chaise longue with integrated ceramic side table, which was designed by buzzy ceramic artist Sunshine Thacker.
The chair’s tubular shapes are part of a trend we first noticed back in 2022 that’s still going strong this season.
The chair’s tubular shapes are part of a trend we first noticed back in 2022 that’s still going strong this season.
7. Eco-friendly materials
Contemporary furniture is a product of its time, so it reflects not just the prevailing aesthetic preferences and technologies, but also current social and environmental concerns. Consequently, there’s a large emphasis on using and innovating environmentally friendly materials in the industry, and in turn at ICFF.
One sustainable biomaterial that’s becoming increasingly mainstream in furniture design – and that featured prominently in multiple products at ICFF – is mycelium, which is essentially the threadlike roots of fungi.
San Francisco Bay Area-based MycoWorks, for example, showed off its Reishi product, which is made of four ingredients: recycled sawdust, mycelium, bran and water. The material (pictured here) feels and looks surprisingly like leather, but has a much lower environmental impact.
Contemporary furniture is a product of its time, so it reflects not just the prevailing aesthetic preferences and technologies, but also current social and environmental concerns. Consequently, there’s a large emphasis on using and innovating environmentally friendly materials in the industry, and in turn at ICFF.
One sustainable biomaterial that’s becoming increasingly mainstream in furniture design – and that featured prominently in multiple products at ICFF – is mycelium, which is essentially the threadlike roots of fungi.
San Francisco Bay Area-based MycoWorks, for example, showed off its Reishi product, which is made of four ingredients: recycled sawdust, mycelium, bran and water. The material (pictured here) feels and looks surprisingly like leather, but has a much lower environmental impact.
The Crossroads feature of the fair is an exhibition space that’s a collaboration between ICFF; Rockwell Group and its founder, David Rockwell, and curator and editor Pei-Ru Keh.
It focused on sustainability this year, bringing together a number of up-and-coming designers working with sustainable materials in innovative ways.
Daniel Michalik’s Cross chair, pictured here, was one of the pieces featured in the exhibition space. It’s made of natural, renewable and recyclable cork, which we’re seeing more and more of in contemporary furniture design.
It focused on sustainability this year, bringing together a number of up-and-coming designers working with sustainable materials in innovative ways.
Daniel Michalik’s Cross chair, pictured here, was one of the pieces featured in the exhibition space. It’s made of natural, renewable and recyclable cork, which we’re seeing more and more of in contemporary furniture design.
Cutting-edge tech and sustainable materials are natural bedfellows. Decibel presented Recozy’s 3D-printed Loom chair, made with recycled food packaging waste blended with recycled wood fibres.
One of our favourite designs at ICFF, the Eyot bench by London furniture company James Burleigh, is also eco-friendly. Also available in a blue-green and grey colourway, the bench incorporates natural, sustainable materials, including coconut husk, natural latex and local and sustainably sourced wood. It’s marketed to commercial and hospitality spaces, but we think it would look great in a home, too.
Tell us…
Which of these designs do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
Which of these designs do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Contemporary furniture design often involves creative approaches to natural materials. At this year’s ICFF, some of the most innovative pieces were made out of marvellously manipulated wood.
This Eve dining table by Romanian designer Voicu for Nord Arin illustrates one look that we saw in at least half a dozen booths: pieces that look as if they’ve been made by shaping a wood block into a sinuous form, cutting it into thin slices and then recreating that form – sometimes slightly askew – with space between the layers.