I Saw These 8 Trends at America’s Largest Design Show—and You’ll Be Seeing Them Everywhere in 2026

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In April, the House Beautiful team descended on High Point Market to check out everything the largest furniture market in the country had to offer. Spring showed up in full force—87-degree days, a bit of mist, and some rain—but that didn’t slow us down. We pounded the pavement to discover what’s new and what’s next for your home.

While we’re always on the lookout for trends, we know that’s not really how people live. So instead, we focused on the pieces we couldn’t stop thinking about—the ones you didn’t know you needed, but suddenly can’t live without. Think: the bookshelf light spotted at both Pooky Lighting and Four Hands, or the end-cap swivel seat on a Bernhardt sectional. These are the details that make a room feel considered and a little bit irresistible.

One thing we couldn’t ignore? A growing desire to double up. Whether homes are getting larger or we’re simply craving more ways to lounge, nearly every showroom featured L-shaped seating with a walkway in between. No more fighting over the best seat in the house—now, they’re all the top spot.

On a more personal note, I’m always drawn to a great print—but when that print meets exquisite embroidery, I’m completely sold. This market delivered, with standout moments from Sanderson’s latest National Trust collection and beautifully detailed offerings from Kravet Couture.

There was also no shortage of designer launches, including favorites like Düval for Sherrill, Marie Flanigan for Visual Comfort & Co., and Barrie Benson for Highland House, to name a few.

Here are just some of our favorites—we have a feeling you’ll be seeing them in homes very soon.

The “Break-Apart” Effect

Sectionals aren’t going anywhere—they’re bigger, deeper, and curvier than ever. But one shift we noticed, showroom after showroom, is the “break-apart” effect. As these pieces grow in scale, brands are carving out space for walkways, making them easier to navigate without feeling like you’re climbing over your own furniture.

Burton James, for example, now offers an L-Shaped Sofa through its Alternatives program that features a single seat cushion on one continuous frame—so you get the look without the worry of pieces drifting apart. The configuration feels almost like a social hotel lobby, where people can move in and out of seating arrangements with ease.

We first spotted a version of this in last year’s cover story with Creative Tonic, and now it’s quickly becoming standard fare across the industry.

Shelves All Aglow

Whether you’re an apartment dweller or a homeowner, we all have those corners we wish were a little more illuminated. But not every lighting upgrade calls for an electrician. Enter two cult-favorite brands—Four Hands (via Amber Lewis) and Pooky, long known for its cordless designs.

This market introduced both shelf lights: one plug-and-play, the other fully wireless. Each had us rethinking just how many of these little gems we could scatter throughout our homes to highlight stacks of books and carefully curated objets.

Four Hands x Amber Lewis debuted a marble shelf light that doubles as a bookend thanks to its substantial stone base. Meanwhile, Pooky offers a range of finishes and its signature personality-packed shades, making it easy to tailor the look to your mood.

Vanity Crush

As a designer favorite for case goods and accessories, Villa & House introduced its new bathroom vanities line with three collections. This natural extension of the brand brings an added sense of cohesion to a home already layered with its furnishings—an effortless, plug-and-play approach to the bath, no millwork required. Just add a mirror (from them!) and your favorite fixtures.

I was particularly taken with the dainty Arianna, featuring a cane shelf and marble top (available with or without the countertop). Offered in both single and double sink options, the collection brings a welcome dose of elegance—and a lot of pretty—to the bath.

Swiveling Sectionals

It’s hard to make a sectional compelling these days. We all know the drill: measure your space, choose your configuration—U-shape, L-shape, chaise or no chaise—pick a fabric, and you’re done. But Bernhardt just flipped the script.

The brand introduced a new addition to its build-your-own seating program: an oversized, round swivel chair. Thanks to its curved silhouette, there’s also a slightly curved single-seat option, so you avoid any awkward breaks in the layout. And like any great swivel, it lets you turn in to join the conversation or pivot out for a marathon streaming session.

Consider this a strong contender for the best seat in the house. (Just note—you’ll have to wait a bit. It won’t be available until later this year.)

Folksy Flavored Fabrics

If you swoon over a bit of archival digging, a touch of history, and richly layered embroidery, you’ll love the latest launch from Sanderson in collaboration with the National Trust. Inspired by the Brockhampton Estate, the collection is filled with botanical prints and intricately detailed textiles that make choosing a favorite nearly impossible—but I managed.

I’m always drawn to pieces with a sense of whimsy and an abundance of florals—my personal happy place—and this collection delivers both in spades, striking that perfect balance between sweet and storied.

And speaking of whimsy, I’d be remiss not to highlight Kravet Couture’s partnership with the Museum of New Mexico. One design in particular, Dweller’s Clay, caught my eye for its rich depiction of animal and plant life native to the region’s arid landscape. Inspired by felted and embroidered wool rugs from northern India—traditionally used as saddle blankets—it brings a sense of global craft to a distinctly local story. The result is a layered, transportive textile that captures a world of wonder in the most majestic way.

Chain-Linked Lighting

Whether delicate or boldly chunky, the jewelry-inspired lighting trend isn’t going anywhere. These overhead pieces are designed to shine even when the lights are off—meaning they have to hold their own as sculptural statements by day and luminous showstoppers by night.

At this market, we saw our 2020 Next Waver, Noz Nozawa, return with her second line for Corbett, doing what she does best: accessorizing. While there were plenty of standouts, one particularly delicate chandelier with lightweight chains that could be left freeform or dropped to create a personal profile stopped us in our tracks.

Elsewhere across the market, the look took on a more daring edge. Think oversized links, exaggerated scale, and a no-apologies attitude—equally fabulous, just louder. The Isadora light from Visual Comfort & Co. also takes its cues from fine jewelry, with a crystal globe hanging from a chain of bead-like links. The effect is sculptural and sparkly, whether you hang one or layer a few for more drama.

We love to see our ceilings dressed as beautifully as our décolletage…because both are well worth bringing attention to.

Elevated Stripes

When it comes to classic frames that stand the test of time, Lee Industries always delivers. While primarily a trade-specific brand, their custom pieces can be found at design stores across the country. This year, they introduced a new fabric that gives their upholstery a fresh boost. The three-color, multi-scale stripe has a subtle sheen that elevates any piece it wraps. Here, swivel dining chairs—equally suited to pull up to a desk—get a glamorous update in this modern take on a classic Americana stripe: Trilogy Tropic.

Luxe Leather

A leather bed isn’t the newest concept in the world of design, but these two definitely caught our attention. Moving beyond the ever-reliable leather sofa, brands are finding fresh ways to showcase their mastery of this enduring material. In this case, designs from American Leather and Gabby Home felt equally at home in the coolest lofts of Chicago or New York, or a richly layered traditional home.

But just like that favorite leather sofa, we started contemplating how much better these beds would become over time. That’s when it clicked: This isn’t just a statement piece—it’s a long-term investment in luxury, craftsmanship, and the kind of supple comfort that makes getting out of bed just a little bit harder.

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