NeoCon 2025: Highlights from the Show Floor

In early June, CS headed to Chicago to participate in NeoCon, the tradeshow that sets the stage for the future of commercial interiors. This year’s show was rooted in comfort and energized by color! Inspiration was found around every corner, from warming color palettes to nostalgic fabrics. Here is a closer look at the trends shaping and reimagining many industries in 2025.

Color is more hopeful with a mixture of bold brights and colored neutrals.

• Although gray was still noticeable, there was a precise movement to a warming palette with abundant beiges and browns.
• There were influences of 70s era-inspired golds, oranges, yellow-greens, and eighties reds and browns. European-inspired mint, pink, and purple colors sprinkled throughout, with hints that mauve and teal may be sneaking in and making a comeback.

Design: Moving into the Late Century
Design is pivoting away from mid-century modern to later in the calendar.

• While curved lines are still popular, they are softer.
• Expect to see more geometric patterns reminiscent of the 1980s.
• Fabrics are harkening back to the same period, with heavy tweed-like textures, intermingling colors, and rich, nubby surfaces. Whether in fabrics or carpets, these materials are comforting and tactile.

Wood Finishes: Lighter and Nuanced

• Wood tones have moved lighter and more varied. Clean and structured linear woodgrains were common, but the exotics brought warmth with a subtle hint of orange and red sneaking back in favor.

• While darker finishes are less prevalent, there is a noticeable trend of reveling in the natural variation inherent in wood. Warm browns are replacing gray, creating a more natural and authentic look.

Materials: Sustainable & Natural
Sustainability continues to be important in design circles. Manufacturers are now expanding their vision on how to create using waste materials. Responsible materials are still critically important. Highlights included:

• Mayer Fabrics, Arc-Com, and Ecovinyl featured biodegradable vinyls.

• Stance showed behavioral health furniture made with Trex-like material that included table bases wrapped in Forbo’s linoleum.
• Many companies are integrating acoustic properties in a variety of new ways:

• Carnegie and Turf use felt-like material printed to mimic wood.
• Momentum Textiles showed sculpted Muratto cork panels.
• Impact Acoustics had experimental materials incorporating various natural additives in its cotton acoustic tiles.

NeoCon 2025 showed that the landscape for commercial environments is varied, with something for everyone, from quiet and comfortable to bold and invigorating. Designers are creating spaces with intention and a growing commitment to sustainability. Seeing so many designers leaning into the trends was exciting, as we actively explored, engaged, and drew inspiration from the displays and presentations.