What We Saw at NeoCon + Design Days 2026
After spending several days exploring NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago, a theme kept appearing everywhere I looked: design centered on the human experience.
While there were plenty of impressive furniture introductions and innovative products, what stood out most wasn’t a specific chair or workstation, but the overall shift in design philosophy.
Here are a few trends that I kept seeing throughout The Mart and Fulton Market.
Hospitality-Inspired Design Isn’t Going Anywhere
One of the first things I noticed was how many spaces felt more like boutique hotels than traditional offices.
From softer lighting, acoustic paneling, and lounge-style seating to warm color palettes, curated artwork, music, and thoughtfully designed welcome areas, these spaces were carefully crafted to create memorable experiences.
The design priority was how a space feels, not just how it functions.
By recognizing that people perform, collaborate, and engage better when they feel relaxed and valued, these spaces created environments where people (myself included) genuinely wanted to spend time.
Comfort Takes Priority
Comfort emerged as one of the strongest themes across nearly every showroom I visited.
As workplace design continues to embrace more residential influences, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on how furniture feels, not just how it performs. Soft textures, layered materials, and inviting lounge settings appeared throughout spaces.
Bouclé was especially prominent, showing up on seating, ottomans, and even table bases. Wool, velvet, chenille, and other richly textured fabrics added warmth and visual depth, while area rugs, oversized seating, and upholstered accessories helped create spaces that felt relaxed and approachable.
These elements do more than make a space look comfortable. They help create environments where people want to spend time, supporting the idea that comfort can play an important role in focus, collaboration, and overall experience in a space.
Privacy Hasn’t Disappeared
I also noticed a strong focus on privacy.
Instead of debating whether open or private offices are better, many manufacturers showcased enclosed spaces, focus rooms, acoustic solutions, and smaller meeting areas designed to support concentrated work within larger environments.
This shift in layout and design thinking gives individuals the freedom to choose the environment that best fits the task at hand.
Curves Continue to Dominate
If I had to choose one visual trend that stood out most this year, it would be curves.
From lounge seating and collaborative tables to lighting fixtures and architectural elements, organic shapes appeared throughout showrooms. Many manufacturers moved away from rigid lines in favor of softer forms that feel more natural and inviting.
Beyond their visual appeal, curved furniture and layouts can help create a more approachable atmosphere by encouraging conversation, movement, and interaction. Whether used as a focal point or integrated throughout a space, curves continue to shape environments that feel more welcoming and human-centered.
Natural Materials Create Warmth
Natural materials were another common thread throughout the showrooms I visited.
Wood finishes, woven textures, greenery, and organic-inspired details appeared in a wide range of applications, adding warmth and character to commercial environments. Rather than serving as simple accents, these materials were often highlighted through thoughtful craftsmanship and attention to detail.
From fluted wood table bases to upholstery featuring subtle botanical patterns, manufacturers showcased how texture and materiality can enhance the overall experience of a space. Paired with neutral color palettes and biophilic elements, these natural materials helped create environments that felt grounded, welcoming, and connected to nature.
Final Thoughts
The workplace is no longer being designed around where people sit. It’s being designed around how people feel and how they actually want to work, collaborate, and connect.
The most compelling spaces weren’t trying to force employees into a specific way of working. They were providing options and experiences that support different needs throughout the day.
While many manufacturers showcased these ideas in different ways, one showroom that brought them together particularly well was Kimball International’s Fulton Market showroom.
From thoughtful craftsmanship and attention to detail to hospitality-inspired spaces and flexible work environments, the showroom demonstrated how workplace design continues to evolve around comfort, connection, and choice.
Click here for a virtual tour of Kimball International’s Fulton Market showroom and see for yourself why it was recognized by IIDA as the Best Mid-sized Showroom in Fulton Market!
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As organizations continue to rethink how their spaces support employees, understanding these emerging trends can help create environments that attract talent, foster collaboration, and improve the overall workplace experience.
If you’re considering updates to your workplace, healthcare, education, or public sector spaces, we’d love to continue the conversation!
