Color Trends at NeoCon 2024

The color trends at NeoCon 2024 mirrored the trends we picked up on more broadly at the show, particularly those focused on community connection, neurodiversity, and well-being. As companies try to design spaces that make users feel better physically and mentally, they’re considering more than just how color looks but also how it makes us feel.

Colors Trends at NeoCon 2024

Four colors jumped out in many booths and showrooms: gold, aqua, celadon, and terracotta. These colors all felt familiar from 2023 trends, yet somehow not tired. They were all richer and more saturated than last year. Beyond these colors, there seemed to be every color in the rainbow, again rich and saturated, in line with the colors we saw trending in other industries for spring 2024.

Something interesting in many of the showrooms and collections was that companies were thinking about color on a personal level. There was a lot of consideration into the science of how color makes one feel and respond. The most obvious example of this was Momentum’s Yinka Ilori collection. This collection was all about “Color You Can Feel.” The collection was fun and joyful. Just walking through the showroom made you feel good.

Designtex also had a striking showroom where color was the critical element. The focal point of their showroom was one long table made of cardboard with tubes for legs. Loaded on top were piles of fabric folded into perfect squares, organized by color for a full spectrum.

In the Steelcase showroom, they set up an area near their healthcare products devoted to explaining some of their color selections. A sign greeting you said, “Color is powerful. It evokes strong emotions, feelings and memories. It can calm, excite and inspire – influencing our mood and affecting our emotional and physical well-being.” In addition, they displayed boxes, each setting a mood with fabrics and objects and explaining the color. For example, “Ice Blue is a bustle shade that is both refreshing and tranquil.”

In 2023, I remember thinking the colors seemed a bit boring, but the color trends of NeoCon 2024 were definitely not. Many of the color stories had a shot of fun and vitality. And while there were some popular colors, seeing a range of rich colors was much more inspiring.