5 Big Ideas from NeoCon show us What's Trending in Design and Procurement
Amid the fever of soccer tournaments and basketball championships, the Design community descended upon Chicago's River North and Fulton Market neighborhoods for a thought-provoking week of what's next for indoor and outdoor spaces at NeoCon and Design Days 2026. (This alone can feel like a sport with a crowd of 55,000 design professionals from 88 countries, making it North America's largest commercial design event.)
Hosted in Chicago, one the country's most architecturally renowned cities, NeoCon welcomed guests to an equally architecturally significant venue, The Mart, where designers and innovators have been showcasing creative ideas for over a century. About a mile away was Design Days in Fulton Market; a parallel event featuring a more boutique atmosphere with an equally meaningful experience.
Members of the Design Environments leadership team attended both - soaking in commercial and hospitality trends at these two impactful events. After exploring the showrooms, participating in the installations, and connecting with innovators and manufacturers, inspiration was found around every corner. And while you explore some of our observations on Instagram and Linked In, the team prepared a quick recap of the top design and procurement trends they learned from this year's event:
Mid-century style meets comfortable elegance.
Mad Men (the series) may have ended in 2015, but its inspiration for 1960s-era influence on design lives on… (maybe it's the Netflix reruns). Adapted to 2026 life, many showrooms highlighted contract furniture with added comfort for work-from-home practicality. Mix in the warm color palettes of eggplant, mauve, and taupe, and a nod toward sophistication, and we've got a revival that works well in many multifamily, single family, or senior living environments.
2. Wall-to-wall creativity.
From unique textiles to creative soundproofing applications and acoustics, wall space is now in play, as well as ceilings! There have never been more solutions to blend form, fashion and function to create a vibe with the help of wall coverings, decorative acoustics, wallpaper, art, and more.
3. A little privacy please.
·Zoom calls and Teams meetings; webinars; small group meetings; dedicated time for deep work; private calls; or even just a 5-minute break. The demand keeps growing for private spaces that accommodate peace and quiet, and the options are keeping up with demand with pods, modular mini-offices, reflection and wellness rooms, and creative seating solutions.
4. Spend more than a little time outdoors.
We strive to offer long-lasting, usable spaces that help create positive experiences. That is true across a wide range of spaces, from luxury apartments, off campus student housing, private clubs, hotels and restaurants. Residents and guests alike are meeting, greeting, and relaxing outside - by the fire, by the pool, at the grill, or enjoying the views from a rooftop deck. That means an added emphasis on durable, commercial-grade outdoor living materials that meet the demands of high use, wind and the elements There are plenty of options for every budget and style.
5. Color, lighting & the role of circadian and neuroaesthetic design
Beyond decorative fixtures, there was a heavy focus on science-backed lighting. Instead of just designing a space to look good, these frameworks design for how the human brain and body actually respond to light, color, texture, and geometry.
This year the palette leaned heavily into inviting, nostalgic shades that were popular decades ago. Burgundy, lavender, deep plum, mauve, and earthy rust appeared independently across multiple showrooms. As industry leaders noted, these "exhaled" palettes felt like an act of care for overstimulated workers, guests and travelers.
“For me, this combined event is about so much more than just spotting trends to better serve our clients; it’s about connecting face-to-face with people who are genuinely passionate about commercial design and the built environment.”
