The year is wrapping up, and as we enter the new year, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the past year and think about trends in the upcoming season. Though trends are constantly changing, there are a few that have had more staying power than others.
With several trade shows throughout the year, there were plenty of new and emerging trends that made an appearance. Casual News Now took note throughout the year and put together a list of trends that are starting to look more like more permanent industry changes.
Statement pieces. Everyone loves a good oversized daybed or dining set, and that’s one trend that continues to take shape in the industry. While these pieces don’t have to be eccentric, there are others who have found success with stepping outside the box. For instance, shown above is Skyline Design’s massive cabana table with hanging chairs. Each chair can hold up to 450 pounds and can be changed out with other Skyline chair models. Woodard is another prime example, as it introduced a giant modular seating set that allows users to configure the pieces in a number of ways.
Color changes and textured fabrics. Bold colors are being used more than ever outdoors, particularly on fabrics. From yellows and oranges to deep greens, the spectrum has opened up in a new way over the past year. These pops of color help bring life to an outdoor area and they offer something outside of the typical gray and brown that has been the standard for so long. That said, grays and browns are still dominant colors in the industry.
Following indoor trends, texture is also an important aspect when it comes to outdoor fabric, as consumers are beginning to want an indoor feel outdoors. Outdoor by Ashley capitalized on both of these trends at the fall High Point Market with pieces that were inspired by Ashley’s indoor lines. Jensen Outdoor displayed a tower of chairs at the Casual Market in July that featured Ultraleather, an outdoor-safe leather alternative from Ultrafabrics.
Indoor looks outside. Is it finally time to acknowledge that the indoor/outdoor blur is no longer a trend but now a fact of life in our industry? Things could always change, but the way things look now, things are only getting blurrier. Consumers are connecting their indoor and outdoor spaces with nothing but glass doors separating the rooms, and they want outdoor that seamlessly blends with their indoor furniture.
Since Bernhardt entered the outdoor category, the company has excelled at bringing the indoor looks outside with pieces inspired by its indoor lines and updated to weather the elements. Vanguard has also been successful in translating indoor designs to outdoor products with pieces like its modular sectional, which features weighted pillows that can be moved around and configured in different positions.
Many retailers already have their orders in, but with the increasing number of retailers who buy year-round, knowing these trends can help as we move forward into the new year.
