Here are some general trends documented by our roving reporter:
- The color theme for NeoCon this year was white with dark walnut, sometimes paired with intense accent color
- Most manufacturers had a “Green” message regarding their company culture, furniture and processes. Sustainable, recyclable products are made with bamboo, post consumer waste fabrics and resin.
- There was an emphasis on incorporating technology into furniture through the use of monitor arms, concealed, electronic computer and screen lifts, power and data troughs, pop-ups, and rails.
- There was a strong import presence from China, Korea, and Japan
Systems Furniture
- A de-emphasis on panels in systems products
- An emphasis on “benching” systems: cabinets, tables, and worksurfaces
- Glass, plexiglass, and 3Form frameless dividing screens
- Sliding doors on cabinets — side to side and up and down — they were everywhere.
- Inter-mixing of product lines by every manufacturer
- Many solutions featuring worksurfaces with dividing screens or panels plus troughs or panels carrying power and data
- Many accessories such as small scale, moveable LED lamps and flat screen monitor arms in all sizes
- An abundance of demountable walls with attached components
Seating
- Thinner profile backs and seats with better styling and design. No more round pillow look
- Chrome, polished aluminum, wood, and leather accents
- Lots of nice vinyls that simulated leather
- A fair amount of retro looking seating in all categories: task, side, and lounge
Conferencing
- Opaque and clear glass and plexiglass tops, many with back-lighting
- Bamboo and high-end veneers
Training Tables
- Folding and nesting seemed to be a trend
- Power and technical options in many
Healthcare
- Healthcare seating from a wide range of manufacturers, many of whom have not previously had a healthcare line
- Gliders, rockers, fold-out beds
- In recliners and bariatric seating, fold-down arms
- Cabinets to receive TV’s, monitors, and other technology
- HIPPA privacy solutions: furniture, screens, sound masking
- Signage
Reference
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B&B Italia
Bernhardt
Design
Brandrud
Bretford
Cabot
Wrenn
Cabot Wrenn Care
Carolina
Coalesse
Dauphin
Davis
Decca
First Office
Geiger
International
Global
Groupe LaCasse
Gunlocke
HBF
Herman Miller
Hon
Humanscale
ICF
IdeaPaint
Ideon
JANUS et Cie
Jofco/Frezza
JSI
Krug
Nemschoff
Nienkämper
Nucraft
OFS
Paoli
Patrician
Sandler
SitOnIt
