"So, what are the hot trends for the Fall 2012 High Point Furniture Market?"

That's not a million dollar question; it's a multi-billion dollar question!  Designers and manufacturers the world over are hanging on those words and the answers can be hard to define.  The variety of furniture and accessories is so vast that it takes careful observation to spot a real trend instead of being swayed by merely the colorful and unique.  A genuine trend has to have the legs to carry it across many product lines and and last   long enough to justify a manufacturer's investment.  Because of this longevity factor, most predictions are based on observations from the previous market and seasoned with reports from other furniture shows worldwide.  It all adds up to some very important words.

 With that being said, top interior design publication Elle Decor has issued its trend alert for this fall's market.  Based on the optimism that they experienced at the Spring 2012 High Point Furniture Market, Elle Decor has identified the following:

GLAMOUR - People pay attention to details during times of economic hardship, so expect to see lots of high quality materials, sophisticated colors, and luscious curves.

METALLIC LEATHER - Adding glimmering detail to classic styles.

PLEATS - Lots of detailing in upholstered goods.

DINNING ROOM TABLES - Very large but still practical.

SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS - For those of us who don't have a mega mansion.

GREEN PRODUCTS - Green materials are innovative and creative.   


With a somewhat different view on 2012 furniture trends is Li Edelkoort of Paris-based Trend Union, a company which forecasts trends for some of the world's foremost manufacturers of fashion, beauty, automobiles, and interior design.  Edelkoort has selected these as furniture's new direction:

LIGHTER AND MORE MOBILE - Rooms will have less furniture and the pieces will be both modular and portable.

DAYBEDS - They're back.

UPHOLSTERY - Beautiful pebble-inspired colors.  Tactility is key. 

PAPER AND CARDBOARD - Transformed into durable materials, also involving green construction.

WOOD - More rough and uncut.  Pieces will look more outdoorsy.

METAL - The industrial look is still in, with light weight mesh and colors of black and rust. 


These forecasts come from equally reputable sources, but there is little in common.  One report focuses more on a European audience,but the High Point Furniture Market is fully global in its reach and must be responsive to all potential buyers. This truly illustrates how elusive the definition of a trend really is.  In the long run, only time will tell which predictions are accurate and which miss the mark.