Top design looks among professionals and retailers for Fall 2020, include prominent metallic accents, thick winter white upholstery, luxe textures such as faux shagreen, and desert-inspired color palettes.

Heavy Metal Influence

Whether vintage brass, antiqued bronze, blackened steel, chiseled iron or polished chrome, prominent metal accents are adding patinaed style to all sorts of furniture. Metals are showing up on furniture feet; upholstery nails; industrial rivets; and console, cabinet, sofa and chair bases. 

Bold metal accents are popping up in combination with other trends, such as the intersection of metals and the ongoing nature-inspired trend. The combination is appearing on furniture, lighting and accessories.

Channel-Tufted Upholstery

In keeping with the recent popularity of Art Deco-inspired style, designs are showing glamorous channel-tufted upholstery on beds, sofas and chairs. Channel tufting can be vertical or horizontal and it gives furniture a plush look.

Other trends spotted are reflected in strong cylindrical shapes, prominent metal accents and the desert-inspired colors.

Pleated Upholstery

Like channel tufting, the pleated upholstered look features strong, straight lines. The difference is that the pleated look is flatter and has folds at the edges. Pleated leather upholstery gives a modern spin to chairs and sofas. 

Caned Furniture

Caning has been around for centuries, yet it still looks great on modern and contemporary pieces. Fresh takes on caning add light-colored wood, interesting texture and a peek-a-boo sensibility to beds, chairs and cabinetry.

The light texture of caning mixed with white bedding can add a breezy, tropical island vibe to a bedroom.

Plush Winter White Upholstery

Last fall, white wool bouclé upholstery popped up in quite a few spaces. Slubbed and plush winter white textiles follow suit this year, often accented by metal finishes.

Faux Shagreen

Interesting natural textures have been trending for several years, and each year a few specific ones dominate. This year, the luxe texture of faux shagreen is a standout, wrapping tables, desks, consoles and credenzas. Real shagreen is a rawhide usually taken from a stingray or shark, but the cruelty-free imitation is today’s material of choice.