The top event and meeting furnishings design trends for 2018 will create exciting, eclectic and engaging gatherings. Playing with color, texture and tech, the trends for 2018 elevate events with a touch of sophistication while being versatile and functional.
Major event decor trends for the year include: Gray Seating, Bold Energetic Colors, as well as Graphic and Tropical Patterns.
In design trends: Luxurious Curves, Rich Textures, Modern Industrial Chic incorporating the '70s vibe, and Powered Meeting Chairs.
ZESTY COLOR
According to Pantone, its Spring 2018 color palette is “exploding with zest and energy.” The pure bold colors create visual interest as the colors effortlessly burst in the event décor designs. These popular Pantone hues are reflected in our new Beverly bench ottoman collection, available in a range of 10 vibrant colors. The line features “channel stitching,” a design element I saw everywhere at the Milan furniture fair last April.
It’s the details that matter in design, and channel stitching is a fresh way to add visual interest and more texture to soft seating.
Gray will dominate neutral tones for fabric in seating and is a natural canvas for the saturated colors seen in accents and ottomans. Desert rose tones, terra cotta, deep greens and Pantone’s color of the year, Ultra Violet, exude luxury and energy. Fabrics are contrasted with black metal frames to anchor the palette and provide a foundation of stability. CORT’s new seating collections, Munich and Century, reflect the year’s trends with soft velvet-like gray fabrics, espresso and black frames, and soft rounded seat backs.
Gray is the new foundation color for soft seating. It provides a lot of flexibility because it pairs with nearly every other color, and it plays so well with the more complicated and ornate textures we are seeing in decor.
CHIC TEXTURE
Rustic designs are evolving and are now more eclectic and chic.
This “modern industrial chic” vibe incorporates more refined textures, upgraded natural woods, lush fabrics, bold colors and patterns. Mid-century and Danish modern silhouettes are softening, and bold '70s colors and patterns are appearing everywhere. Oversized patterns and accessories in bold colors are used in a more tailored, minimal way with lots of copper, bronze and brass all coming together to channel that sexy cool vibe reminiscent of Palm Springs or South Florida in the 1970s.
Combinations of marble, lacquer and metallic surfaces with wood and greenery to create a sophisticated and surprising mix that’s easy to customize to suit a client’s theme or brand. Curves and soft edges are appearing in seating, tables and lighting.
Fabrics that feel rich like velvets and textures complement the sophisticated looks and make the event feel elegant without stifling the energy. CORT’s faux fur animal hide, tropical pillow prints, and large collections of on-trend colorful ottomans, unique accent tables, and rugs can be used to achieve this chic style for any event.
ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGY
Finally, technology is very important for today’s meeting and event attendees. They expect technology to be built into furnishings, such as CORT’s new Tech Tablet Chair, which incorporates charging capabilities into the chair and provides comfortable powered seating with features such as a swivel tablet, storage compartment, grouping connectivity, and on-trend styling to facilitate learning, engagement and interaction.
Event decor design is moving in a more refined, luxurious, and sexy direction. Creating spaces and events that both entice and entertain in 2018 means playing with combinations of colors and textures that foster comfort and connection.
Kevin Dana is executive director of marketing and product development at CORT Trade Show & Event Furnishings. To learn more about CORT’s exhibit and event rental collections or its Social Tables integration, visit www.cortevents.com.
