Chicago Design Week 2026

NeoCon and Design Days offer a glimpse into where workplace design is headed. Every year, the industry's leading brands introduce new products and perspectives that shape what's next. As our team explored the showrooms, a few themes consistently emerged - trends that are redefining the modern workplace right now and the products bringing them to life.

Hospitality-Inspired and Connection

Hospitality-forward spaces that create a welcoming atmosphere and encourage connection were hot at NeoCon and Design Days this year. The Crews sofa by Bernhardt provides a landing area for visitors and employees gathering for work or socialization. The Allermuir Sula wood tables also caught our eye, an evolution of the Sula Collection with wood finishes brings depth and sophistication to the simple profile. Both pieces provide visual and physical relaxation for the mind and body to connect and refresh.

Privacy

As more people return to the office, privacy continues to play a crucial role in workplace planning. The new Knoll Dividends Skyline System continues to catch our attention for the choice of focused connections it offers. The clean and sophisticated lines beautifully fill out open-plan spaces with independent private niches while still promoting light and clear sightlines. Open shelving and privacy screens enhance privacy and focus without cutting people off from collaboration opportunities.

Comfort and Mobility

Another standout theme this year was comfort. One of our favorite examples was the Muuto Coltre Sofa launching in Fall 2026. The word “coltre” means blanket and is reflected in its soft, padded layer over the structured wood frame. Parallel stitched lines create a nice rhythm and texture balance with its architectural side profile. The Cerro chair by Davis Furniture brings refined comfort and mobility to the office chair. Its design exemplifies the balance between softness and comfort with ergonomic support, allowing comfort no matter where or how you are working.

Modular Systems and Materiality

Seamless functionality continues to be at the center of today’s workplaces. The most successful solutions strike the right balance between beautiful design and purposeful function. Arcadia’s new modular seating system, Almeya, integrates tables, rotating tablets and thoughtfully placed power into an organic form that creates a relaxed visual rhythm while still supporting flexible ways of being productive. Halcon Astoria brings materiality that elevates conference and communal tables. Astoria shows off sculptural elegance with a mixed palette of aluminums, woods, and veneers with hidden functions elements inside. Concealed easy rolling locking casters are built into the base, and power can be worked into the side rails or tabletop for seamless technology integration.

What we appreciate most about Design Week is the reminder that great workplaces are never static—they continue to evolve alongside the people who use them. Every new product is an opportunity to rethink how we gather, focus, collaborate, and connect. We can't wait to bring these ideas to our clients. Connect with our team to schedule a tour of showrooms that participated in Chicago Design Week to experience what's next firsthand.