NeoCon & Design Days 2025: Top Trends That Inspired

Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson shares the best of NeoCon and Design Days — from a comeback for chrome and curves to the emergence of digital equality in workplace design

2025 Design Days in Chicago’s Fulton Market; photo courtesy of Steelcase.

Every June, Chicago transforms into a design lover’s playground for NeoCon and Design Days — a week full of bold ideas, next-gen materials, and more steps tracked on our Apple watches than we care to admit. As a studio deeply rooted in this city’s creative scene, NeoCon is one of our favorite times of year. Not only is it an opportunity to catch up with our peers, partners, and clients, but it’s also when we get a sneak peek at where commercial interiors are headed.

This year, the trends felt especially thoughtful — more human, more flexible, and a lot warmer (both literally and metaphorically). Here’s a roundup of the key takeaways that had us talking after the showroom lights dimmed.

The Knoll showroom showcased the chrome accent trend; photo courtesy of MillerKnoll.

1. Chrome Comeback: The Shiny Shift

Let’s talk materials. We’ve been tracking the return of chrome and silver-toned metals for the past year, and at NeoCon 2025, the trend officially arrived. First spotted in residential settings, we’re now seeing chrome furniture, silver metallic upholstery, and gleaming drapery showing up in commercial environments as well.

We were especially excited to see how the tone played in our own project with Scandinavian Spaces, where chrome furniture added a space-age-meets-glam touch. Steelcase also featured silver upholstery in a way that felt both modern and surprisingly cozy. While brass and matte black had their moments in recent years, silver is stepping back into the spotlight — and we’re here for it.

A purple moment at the Nevins showroom, designed by Kuchar, at NeoCon 2025.

2. Purple, Please (and a Moment for Pops of Neon)

We noticed a serious shift toward warmth, in both palette and overall vibe across showrooms. Within the clear embrace of rich woods, buttery textiles, and cozy, saturated colors, there was one standout shade: purple.

Subtle purple furnishings and demountable partitions at the OFS Showroom; photo courtesy of OFS.

From soft mauves to bold plums, the color was everywhere. MillerKnoll leaned into the look with statement pieces in luxe lilac hues, while OFS blended purples with natural woods and inviting textures to create warm, welcoming environments that felt residential in all the right ways.

And just when things felt super soft and serene — bam! — a pop of neon green, pink, or yellow would appear. 3form’s neon green-swathed installation was a standout. These electric moments weren’t overbearing, however, but rather small jolts of energy that added freshness and contrast to otherwise muted palettes. It’s like adding a slice of lime to a well-balanced cocktail: unexpected, but exactly what you didn’t know you needed. At Kuchar, we’re very much warming up to pops of neon, especially within a palette of pastels.

3. Designing for Digital Equity

Post-COVID workplace design continues to evolve, and one of the most exciting shifts we saw was the emphasis on digital equity in meeting spaces. With hybrid meetings now the norm, thoughtful spatial planning is essential — and several manufacturers are stepping up.

At Steelcase, we saw a brilliant reimagining of the traditional conference table: a half-arch (parenthesis-shaped) layout that allows everyone to face the screen equally. No more awkward Zoom angles or back-of-the-room vibes. More importantly, these layouts eliminate hierarchy, placing every participant on the same level visually and symbolically. It's a small design change with a big cultural impact.

The demountable Campers and Dens collection by Steelcase; photo courtesy of Steelcase.

4. Demountable Everything: Flexible & Sustainable

We’ve been longtime fans of demountable partitions, but this year, they were everywhere —and being discussed with new urgency. Across showrooms, manufacturers highlighted the sustainability benefits of choosing systems that can be reused and reconfigured instead of relying on drywall, which is a major landfill contributor during demos and renovations.

What’s changed? These systems are now smarter, sleeker, and easier to install, integrating with ceiling grids and adjacent structures more fluidly. The takeaway was clear: in a world where flexibility and sustainability are non-negotiable, demountables are becoming the new standard.

Spino Seating by Scandinavian Spaces; photo courtesy of Scandinavian Spaces.

5. Curves for Days

The curve trend? Still going strong — and it’s expanding into every corner of the workplace.

We spotted S-shaped furniture and rounded glass walls, architectural elements, and even workstations. Teknion’s curved glass enclosure felt like a gentle embrace, while Steelcase showcased soft, sculptural seating that turned their atrium into a space that felt more like a living room than an office.

There’s something undeniably comforting about curves. They soften hard edges, create flow, and make a space feel more human. In a post-pandemic world, where comfort and warmth are top priorities, curves just make good design sense.

Scandinavian Spaces’ Vagabond Tables feature playful colors and shapes; photo courtesy of Scandinavian Spaces.

6. What These Trends Tell Us

This year’s NeoCon and Design Days reflected a deeper design story — one that’s less about shiny new things (though, yes, chrome is in) and more about creating workplaces that are intuitive, inclusive, and joyful.

From playful color accents to architectural softness, the industry is leaning into design that supports not just productivity, but also overall well-being. While trends like digital equity, sustainable systems, and emotional warmth might look different from showroom to showroom, they all share one thing: a commitment to making workspaces that truly work for everyone.

We’re already inspired to bring these ideas into our upcoming projects, and we can’t wait to show you how!

Until next time, NeoCon!

— The Kuchar Team