While a shift in color palettes was a notable trend for this Highpoint Market, there were other furniture design trends that stood out too.
Some I mentioned after last market here on my blog, and they are still coming on strong. Others are more fresh on the scene.
I’ve got lots of great examples of these trends, below.
Skirts and Slipcovers
Curves , Capsule Shape and Arches
Sectionals and Swivels
Textural Upholstery
Ottoman / Stools in Unusual Shapes
Design Trend #1 - Skirts and slipcovers
I’ve always loved a tailored skirt, dropped from the deck of a chair, as a soft, modern look for a skirted piece. Upholstered goods styles have gotten away from skirts altogether in the last 10 years.
Last market, I noticed a few skirts. This market, there seemed to be quite a few more. In talking to several of the vendors, they are seeing a resurgence too.
This skirted ottoman from Thibaut has some nice details and but a clean look. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Here are more tailored styles below.
Skirted dining chair from Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Skirted lounge chair from Gabby Decor. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Here’s a beautiful skirted sofa and lounge chairs from the Highland House showroom. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this ruffled skirt at Wesley Hall. They said that all the younger designers visiting the showroom were going crazy over this look. It’s a very “grandmillennial” style. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
I stopped in my tracks when I saw this box pleat skirted sofa at Highland House. Yes, I remember these from old-school decorating! Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
I noticed more slipcovers this time too. Great for maintenance and cleaning.
Slipcovered lounge chairs from Woodbridge Furniture in the Lauren Liess collection. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Slipcovered sofa at Rowe’s showroom. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Another slipcovered sofa at Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Slipcovered chair at Vanguard Furniture | Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
With all this skirted, slipcovered look, I don’t think we are venturing back into shabby chic, in case you were wondering about that. There is plenty of modern clean lined furniture being designed and in fact, it is in the majority.
Design Trend #2 - Curves, capsule shape and arches
We’ve been seeing lots of curved upholstery in the last few years. Most of it has a modern feel and works especially well if you are trying to furnish an awkward space or soften a very boxy room.
A curved, fully upholstered banquette makes a modern statement in the Four Hands showroom at Highpoint Market. carlaaston.com
These two upholstered benches from the Rowe showroom look great under the arch shaped light fixture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This curvy sectional and round swivel with a curved back makes a modern statement. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Curves, arches and capsule shapes (I shared that in a post from last market) are showing up in case goods too. I like this chunky open bookshelf with the arch top, from Hooker’s new Big Sky collection. The shelves also have a curved front.
A chunky arched etagere bookcase debuts at the Hooker showroom in their Big Sky collection. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Here’s a clever bookcase idea, perfect for narrow walls where you don’t want something protruding out into the space much. Dovetail Furniture | Highpoint Market | carlaaston.com
Capsule shaped bookcases in their new buttermilk oak finish from Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market | carlaaston.com
More capsule shapes were seen at the Four Hands showroom.
Four Hands has lots of capsule shaped pieces in their line. Highpoint Market | carlaaston.com
I really like these two more traditional look sofas that have some straight corners but also incorporate a softness with a gentle curve. It makes for a cozy feel and works well with round coffee tables.
Love this skirted curved transitional sofa from Gabby Decor. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This curved sofa works well with a round coffee table, from Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Design Trend #3 - Sectionals and swivel chairs
Last market we saw a number of exceptionally large sectionals in lots of showrooms. This time they weren’t quite so prolific, although a few made a statement.
I love this one, below, in that stripe fabric. It takes on a rather masculine look.
This smart looking sectional with trim legs can wrap a room for wall to wall seating. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Round sectionals make for great conversations and lounging! Vanguard showroom, Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This was an interesting combination of boucle fabric and suede. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
I saw a couple of funky low, sectionals, definitely designed for a unique space.
This reminds me of a “divan” from the 50’s. These days, we add curves. :-) Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
These square sections had weighted “backs” that could be moved around as desired, from Dovetail. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
One vendor mentioned that everyone wants a swivel these days, and they were everywhere, much like last market.
These new swivels from Sam Moore have a unique angular shape. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This cute little swivel from Thibaut comes with legs or upholstered to the floor.
Small swivel chair on legs from Thibaut. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This is the same swivel chair but upholstered to the floor. Thibaut, Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This leather swivel chair from Universal Furniture had a high back and was so comfy. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Design Trend #4 - Textural Upholstery
We’ve all seen bouclé fabric on upholstered goods, that’s been in the showrooms for awhile, to say the least. This market, I saw even more interesting textural fabrics though.
Quilted looks, flokati/furry fabrics, wide wale corduroy and lots of velvet (even crushed velvet) caught my eye. Remember that?
This soft, furry, flokati look upholstery debuted on Erin Gates’ new line for Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Textural fabric on a curved sectional at the Century showroom. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Nothing like a crushed velvet look to take me back to the 70’s. This sectional seen at Theodore Alexander. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen crushed velvet! Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
The “Bell Bottom” chair from Nathan Anthony gets a really cushy look with this quilted velvet. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This fabric was textural but buttery soft, not rough like a bouclé. Loved these chairs from Bernhardt. I love a good arm (sans a cupholder) for a drink! Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
A wide wale corduroy fabric felt divine on this daybed from Rowe Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This fabric is more of a ribbed ottoman style fabric, but it is giving off the wide wale corduroy look, for sure. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
There were lots of velvets. Velvet is such a great fabric because #1, cats won’t claw at it and #2, it presents the most vivid color in a fabric. (By the way, you can get performance velvets now.)
You can put a fabric of what you think has the same intensity of color next to a velvet of that color, and the extra depth of the velvet just makes the color bolder, richer and more distinctive.
This velvet made a bold statement in lipstick red in the Theodore Alexander showroom. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This yellow velvet brings eye-popping color to the room. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Here’s one that is just too much for me. The first thing I thought of was skin tags. :-)
Some cat might get caught up in there and never get out!
Design Trend #5 - Uniquely Shaped Ottomans / Stools
This was something I noticed last market too, uniquely shaped ottomans and stools. It’s interesting that most of these are upholstered in a boucle fabric. I guess it shows off the shape nicely.
I heard someone call these gumdrop stools, from the Dovetail showroom. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
These are mod looking stools, from Vanguard. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Here’s another cutie gumdrop stool, this one from Universal Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
These modern quarter rounds would work nicely under an entry hall table. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Scalloped edge stools have a feminine appeal, from Highland House. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
This pedestal style ottoman is a rather unusual design, via TOV Furniture. Highpoint Market 2022 | carlaaston.com
Did you miss my post on color trends from Highpoint Market 2022?
Need help with budgeting for furniture or want to see how a designer budget looks? I’ve got example budgets and lots of info in this ebook guide, below.
I’m back from Highpoint Market and ready to talk about color! I’ve got loads of pretty pics too along with some tips on how you can incorporate this color trend into your home.