Market Recap 2: The Colors, Textures, and Styles Defining 2026
While we’re constantly inspired by the world around us, High Point Market is one of our favorite sources of inspiration. Each season, Market is a go-to place for ideas and concepts that will become part of shaping the year ahead.
In our last Market recap post, we touched on a few of our favorite things we spotted while in High Point. In this week’s post, we’re covering a few trends in a little more detail. The themes we saw this past fall were rich, tactile, and rooted in a renewed appreciation for timeless style.
Colors
Saturated hues are leading the way. Plum and fig tones bring depth and drama, while teal, aqua, and turquoise add a sense of movement and light. Red in its many shades and tints was a highlight, founds in textiles and accessories alike. Brown continues its resurgence, especially when paired with blue — a combination that feels both classic and current. We also saw color drenching holding strong, with single-hue rooms creating immersive, cocoon-like spaces.
Materials
Natural textures are defining the moment. Wicker and rattan appeared in both traditional and painted finishes, offering versatility across styles. Burlwood added warmth and character to everything from side tables to dressers. Grasscloth inlays and rush seating brought tactile interest to pieces that feel right at home in layered, collected interiors. And something we certainly never tire of – classic wood furniture in natural and stained finishes, each highlighting the beauty of the wood itself.
Patterns
Florals are back in a meaningful way (though I would argue – are they ever really gone? 😉). Some leaned into an 80’s-inspired boldness (which of course, were inspired by the florals that came before them), while others felt softer and more refined. We can pair florals with a great number of other patterns but the most-loved pairing of the season? Other florals! The flair was decidedly English, a design influence we saw represented in a number of other ways throughout Market.
More prevalent than any one pattern, though, was pattern mixing in general – the use of different patterns coming together to create harmonious, layered looks. Floral on floral, geometric on floral, stripes on stripes – we saw it all and it was a welcomed feast for the eyes.
Styles & Influences
Traditional design continues to anchor the landscape. Campaign furniture, English-inspired palettes and silhouettes, and equestrian details all made strong appearances. Cottage-core influences added a romantic, cozy sensibility, while those classic Ralph Lauren–style rooms reminded us that comfort and sophistication can coexist beautifully.
The Statement Sofa
I’ve been waiting for this moment and am thrilled to report the return of the statement sofa. Whether they be draped in dramatic florals or dressed in structured stripes, sofas sporting not just color but pattern, too, were a treat to see all over! Why should chairs have all the fun? 😉
Takeaway
What excites us most is how these trends blend timelessness with freshness. At Nell Hill’s, we aim to interpret them in ways that feel approachable and personal — rooms that honor history while embracing the joy of new ideas. Whether it’s a wicker chair in a bold hue or a floral-upholstered sofa, these trends remind us that design is always evolving, and always inspiring.
Pieces from Market are already popping up in the shop, and it’s great timing too with our Upholstered Furniture Sale running through February 15th. Have you been dreaming of your own statement sofa? Now is the time! 😉
