Chicago Design Week 2026 Preview: Products Built for Purpose
What We Noticed During Our Preview
- Products are leaning into wellness, durability, and better material stories.
- Sensory textiles and modular systems are making spaces more flexible and engaging.
- Biophilic details and sustainable materials are creating richer sensory experiences.
- Back-of-house and indoor-outdoor solutions are bringing more comfort to functional spaces.
Ahead of Chicago Design Week 2026, interiors+sources held our annual “Product Preview Pitch Days”—say that five times fast—with product and materials manufacturers preparing to debut their latest introductions at NeoCon in The MART, Fulton Market Design Days, and nearby independent showrooms.
As expected, we saw plenty of beautifully designed products, and we look forward to seeing them in person this June. But across those pre-event conversations—and throughout this issue—a more interesting angle surfaced: usefulness with a richer point of view.
Manufacturers are leaning into products that help designers answer bigger questions: How can spaces feel better without sacrificing performance? How can furnishings and materials flex, endure, support wellness, and tell a more meaningful story? And how can sustainability, maintenance, user experience, and long-term value carry more weight before products are specified?
Those questions echo themes interiors+sources has been tracking through recent industry research and project coverage. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) 2026 Trend Outlook Report points to resilience, dignity, well-being, and deeper material stories as central design priorities, while Gensler’s 2026 Design Forecast frames agility, experience, and future-ready thinking as strategic imperatives.
From sensory textiles and modular furnishing systems to biophilic surfaces, elevated back-of-house solutions, and next-generation materials, the most compelling product stories connect performance with purpose—and help designers deliver spaces worth keeping.
Soft Performance—The Sensory Workplace
Workplace design continues to move away from the purely serviceable toward the deeply experiential, where comfort, tactility, and emotional resonance are not separate but essential considerations, as championed by ASID in its annual Trend Outlook Report. This design movement indicates a growing emphasis on materials and forms that engage the senses—through texture, softness, color, and ergonomics—while meeting the durability demands of commercial environments. For designers, this signals a more nuanced yet holistic approach to specification: Every material and FFE decision should support well-being, encourage connection, and create spaces people actively want to inhabit, not just occupy.
Designtex
811 W. Fulton Market, Floor 5
New textiles from Designtex multiply occupants’ sensorial experience in the built environment. Puffer engages our sense of touch—its velvet surface bursts with structural texture and playful dimension. The haptic pattern—evocative of moss—balances softness with depth, bringing bold energy and everyday performance to hospitality, workplace, and other settings. Teal, Poodle, and Moss colorways bring a richness, while Cloud brings a feeling of both visual and tactile softness.
Allsteel
345 N. Morgan St.
Designed by Chris Adamick, Allsteel’s Flourish collaborative chair blends refined craftsmanship with a smart-casual workplace aesthetic. Featuring a distinctive petaled, plunging back, this modern office chair delivers ergonomic comfort and visual depth. Interchangeable bases—including 5-star swivel, 4-star, and wood legs—offer multiple options to meet custom needs. With more than 200 upholstery combinations and 22+ wood finishes, Allsteel’s Flourish collaborative chair supports personalized, design-forward workplace environments. Launching June 2026.
Brentano
Beaudega, Fulton Market Design Days
Step into a retro escape with Brentano as they unveil Storyteller, a layered textile collection infused with groovy nostalgia and modern flair. This immersive and tactile showcase brings vintage inspiration to life through richly expressive textiles, complemented by statement-making wallcoverings, all set against a backdrop of playful throwback scenes. Guests can expect curated treats, exclusive giveaways, and a transportive experience that celebrates the art of storytelling through design.
The HON Company
320 N. Sangamon
Developed in partnership with Nils Koehn of Deisig Design, the modern polyshell Brim chair by The HON Company balances sleek design with natural support. Its sculpted, bucket-shaped shell cradles the body for relaxed posture, making it perfect for cafés, conference rooms, or dynamic office environments. Available in 11 trending shell colors and four base options—including wood, metal, caster, and wire—Brim can also be specified with upholstered seats in coordinated tones. Clean lines and residential-inspired sophistication enhance workspace aesthetics while providing intuitive, distraction-free comfort.
HBF Textiles
Showroom #10-132, The MART
Demonstrating poetic sensitivity to color and texture, New York-based artist and designer Liam Lee introduces “Paint By Numbers” in collaboration with HBF Textiles. Four textile patterns display a range of unexpected and vibrant colorways that allow for play and experimentation through their juxtaposition. Like its namesake, the conceptual inspiration point is rooted in forms derived from paint by number kits. Just as clarity and structure of an image emerge when abstract forms are imbued with color, the patterns in this collection act as building blocks that contribute to the overall effect of cohesive, color-filled interiors.
HBF
Showroom #10-132, The MART
Defined by fluid lines and grounded proportions, HBF’s Rhine Collection reimagines the lounge landscape with a quiet architectural presence. Handcrafted with seamless transitions and tactile materials, its interlocking forms and companion tables allow for organic planning and effortless reconfiguration. Designers can transform public spaces with boundless spatial freedom or create intimate conversation zones. Furnishings include a Petite Club Chair (with or without arms) and four tables with optional integrated power (side table, coffee table, modular end table, and modular bridge table).
WVH
Booth #7-2061, The MART
The ALMA Wall Panel Collection by WVH transforms interior surfaces with a fusion of craftsmanship and cultural expression. Designed by Alfonso Verduzco, the acoustic collection launches at NeoCon 2026 with Sendero, Sagrado, and Reflejo—three designs combining wood with lava stone, obsidian, and copper. Inspired by sacred architecture and adornment, ALMA emphasizes texture, durability, and material honesty. Its richly layered surfaces create architectural focal points, making it a compelling choice for designers seeking narrative-driven solutions for modern interiors.
Modular Everything: Designing for Change
Flexibility is no longer a special feature in interiors. It’s a requirement. Across furniture, architectural systems, and even digital tools, modularity is enabling designers to adapt spaces quickly to changing needs, purposes, and users. In its annual design forecast, Gensler observed a greater interest in modular layouts across multiple verticals, including workplaces, transportation terminals, and mixed-use facilities, to name a few. Reconfigurable furnishing systems allow for greater scalability and long-term value over static solutions. Modular thinking future-proofs projects while improving efficiency, collaboration, and lifecycle performance.
Configura
Booth #7-5094, The MART
Configura’s Aline is a web-based specification tool that streamlines commercial furniture workflows. Leveraging manufacturer catalogs, Aline enables quick product selection while reducing internal back-and-forth over styles and options. Built-in collaboration tools, secure share links, and in-proposal commenting improve communication between teams and clients. With up-to-date product data, customizable discount structures, and team-based controls, Aline ensures accurate, order-ready proposals. Engineered for manufacturers, dealers, and design firms, Aline accelerates the path from request to quote with efficiency and confidence.
DEDON
Showroom #1452, The MART
MDEAR by DEDON reimagines outdoor lounging with organic forms that adapt to any space. Designed by Sebastian Herkner, the collection’s five sculptural shapes provide versatile seating for balconies, patios, or large terraces. Meticulously handwoven with DEDON Fibers, each piece balances comfort and natural curves with artisanal craftsmanship. MDEAR exemplifies investment-worthy, flexible design that evolves with changing environments, offering a sensory outdoor experience while highlighting DEDON’s approach to modular, sculptural furniture for modern residential and hospitality spaces.
Silen
Showroom #10-155, The MART
Silen Space Gen 2 work pods deliver a next-generation solution for acoustic privacy, workplace wellness, and modular flexibility. The collection—featuring Space Call, Space Work, and Space Meet 2—utilizes a durable cassette structure made from 60% recycled aluminum with integrated casters for easy relocation. A slim profile, floating roof design, and high-capacity ventilation system enhance airflow and comfort. With interchangeable magnetic panels, designers can easily update finishes, making Silen Space Gen 2 a high-performance, sustainable office pod system built for long-term workplace needs.
Emuamericas
Booth #7-7084, The MART
Designed by Marco Acerbis, the Saint Martin outdoor seating collection embodies Emuamericas’ deep-rooted connection to metal craftsmanship as it introduces new adaptability. Its modular system is built on a single, repeatable steel base, allowing a variety of configurations with removable armrests and backrests for a clean, linear silhouette. The removable elements are also available in a wicker-woven version, featuring a distinctive twist motif and a warm, organic palette inspired by authentic hyacinth fiber. Structured yet relaxed, refined yet appropriate for everyday use, Saint Martin enhances patios, terraces, and hospitality spaces.
Ghent
Showroom #1094, The MART
Ghent expands its Flyte Collection with Flyte Solo and Flyte Mobile writing surfaces, building on Flyte Duo to offer solutions for varied project needs. Constructed with an ultralight aluminum core and finished steel surface that resists warping, ghosting, and scratching, Flyte supports magnetic functionality and double-sided versatility with gloss and matte options. Flyte introduces a frameless format with a GUV Gloss Surface and dry-erase edge-banding for full-edge writing in various sizes. Ghent’s showroom redesign incorporates bold colors to highlight the company’s whiteboards and showcase their integration within modern spaces.
Biophilic Immersion 2.0
We’re noticing that biophilic design is entering a more sophisticated phase. Through texture, pattern, form, and materiality, these products evoke natural systems in ways that feel dynamic and expressive. From regenerative materials to landscape-inspired hues and soothing patterns, biophilic elements are embodied in the product conception and final assembly, moving beyond broad nods to nature toward immersive, multi-sensory experiences. This progression offers the A&D community new opportunities to support human health through design strategies grounded in evidence-based outcomes.
Interface
345 N Wells St., 3rd floor
The Forest Within carpet tile collection, designed by David Oakey for Interface, dares to be boldly biophilic. Its styles reflect nature’s untamed energy, bringing seasonal hues that surge across sculptural, vertical surfaces down to the floor. Shifting seasons, organic visuals, and patterns charge spaces. The collection offers four distinct products, designed for a variety of moods and a spectrum of choices. Calm fractures into energy while color pushes itself forward. It features a broad palette of birch-inspired patterns that feel alive and expressive, capturing biophilic realism while offering endless design possibilities.
Turf Design
Showroom #1048, The MART
Transform interiors with Platter Ceiling Cloud by Turf, a modular acoustic ceiling system with organic, cloud-like forms. Panels crafted from 9-mm PET felt are available in Hues, Wood Grains, and Stone Textures, offering visual and acoustic customization. With lengths from 12″–116″, widths 12″–44″, and depths 2″–6″, Platter panels can be layered, intersected, or installed as expansive fields. Fast Track streamlines standard shapes into production, while custom shapes enable boundless creativity. Platter balances high-performance acoustics with biophilic elements for commercial, hospitality, or public interiors.
Elevated Back-of-House
Often overlooked yet critically important, back-of-house spaces are being reimagined through a design-forward lens. Particularly in healthcare and other demanding environments, high-performance systems are evolving to align technical requirements with comfort and positive user experience. For the A&D community, this underscores a key point to discuss with clients: Every specification decision, no matter how utilitarian, contributes to the overall quality, safety, and perception of a space.
Kenall Lighting
Booth #7-2010, Illuminate at NeoCon
MedMaster Flair is a high-performance luminaire designed for clinical and healthcare environments by Kenall Lighting. Featuring an edge-lit, diffused center and translucent perimeter, it creates a signature “halo effect” that enhances modern interiors. With configurable single- or dual-engine lamping, it supports static white, RGB/RGBW, and switchable white/red or white/amber modes, plus optional tunable white. Its slim 2″ ADA-compliant housing and IK10, NSF2, and IP64 ratings ensure safety, making it ideal for patient rooms, corridors, and nurses’ stations. The customizable colors are also well-suited to wayfinding, elevator lobbies, and pediatric spaces.
Bobrick
Booth #7-5034, The MART
The Bobrick Fino Collection expansion delivers a fully coordinated commercial washroom ecosystem designed for high-traffic environments. Crafted from durable stainless steel, it includes sensor faucets, accessories for inside and outside the cubicle, and top-fill soap dispensers engineered for efficiency. The patented above-counter refill design reduces maintenance time by up to 25%, while bulk soap use cuts costs by 80%. A low-level indicator and adjustable soap control enhance performance for streamlined, design-forward restrooms.
Indoor–Outdoor Convergence
The boundary between interior and exterior spaces continues to blur as designers prioritize adaptability, wellness, and connection to the natural environment. Outdoor areas are increasingly designed with the same level of intention, comfort, and performance as interiors, supporting a wider range of uses across workplace, hospitality, and public spaces. One of Gensler’s research findings revealed that healthcare workers in particular are looking for access to restorative outdoor areas and views, demonstrating the growing importance of durable, design-forward solutions that enable seamless transitions and well-being from indoors to out.
Coalesse
Fulton and Green Streets Pop-up, Fulton Market Design Days
Coalesse Co.Lab will be a new, experiential pop-up located directly outside the Steelcase WorkLife on the street level at Fulton and Green Streets for Fulton Market Design Days. This interactive, emotionally connected indoor-outdoor space is designed to inspire guests to create brilliant work together. Coalesse will feature its Jean Nouvel Seating Collection (shown), with its statement-making scale and comfort-driven, organic lines, alongside partner brand designs from Moooi, Flos, Tom Dixon, Viccarbe, and Extremis.
Gloster
Showroom #1452, The MART
Bring outdoor leisure to life with AMBIENT Compass by Gloster, a portable lantern inspired by exploration and nature. Its UV-resistant, weatherproof wicker shade sits atop a sustainably sourced teak base, complete with an integrated handle and a steady, compass-inspired design. A solar or outlet-compatible rechargeable LED provides eight light settings that can be controlled and synchronized remotely, where multiple units can sync together to illuminate terraces, patios, or outdoor dining areas. Available in three sizes AMBIENT Compass offers resilience and textured elegance that complements any outdoor area with customizable ambient lighting.
Loll Designs
1052 W Fulton Market, 2nd floor
Here & There from Loll Designs, developed with design studio Argenta Park, brings timeless American design to the sustainable outdoor furniture market. Inspired by celebrated conservationist Aldo Leopold’s humble bench design, Here and There is a modernized take on a beloved concept, now crafted from Loll’s 100% recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in a range of neutral colors. The collection includes lounge and dining options with clean lines that serve in terraces, parks, or garden spaces. Combining contract-grade strength with sustainable manufacturing, Here & There allows designers and homeowners to create outdoor environments that celebrate the great outdoors with a greater appreciation and care for its future preservation.
Heritage Reimagined
Designers look to the past not for replication, but for reinterpretation. As a theme, this reflects a broader consumer desire for authenticity and longevity that was also emphasized in ASID’s annual Trends Outlook report. Familiar forms, traditional craftsmanship, and historical references can be reimagined through modern materials, scalable production, and contemporary performance standards. As the physical embodiments of this concept, we’re seeing products and materials that meet today’s innovation standards, deliver enduring style, and elicit a sense of nostalgia to create spaces that feel grounded, timeless, and expressive.
Room&Board for Business
Showroom #11-1112
Room&Board for Business introduces reclaimed American elm to its Hensley Collection, merging eco-friendly materials with classic design. The collection’s armoires, dressers, nightstands, storage cabinets, and media consoles highlight the wood’s rich heartwood and sapwood contrast, accented by wood, graphite, or stainless steel bases. As part of the Urban Wood Project, each piece diverts mature city trees from landfills while maintaining high-volume production. Hensley’s clean lines, solid construction, and environmentally conscious approach make it ideal for contemporary offices, hospitality spaces, and curated residential interiors.
Ethnicraft
Showroom #322, The MART
Bring vintage charm into modern interiors with the Roan Lounge Chair by Ethnicraft. Inspired by a 1930s design from Paul Poiret, it features a solid wood frame, structured arms, and a generous seat that prioritizes comfort with composed styling. Compact yet inviting, Roan pairs seamlessly with hospitality or residential settings. Its clean lines and craftsman-inspired details offer timeless appeal, making it a versatile, graceful seating solution that balances classic design aesthetics with contemporary needs for residential and commercial spaces alike.
Shaw Contract
Showroom #1014, The MART
Shaw Contract’s Cult Classics flooring collection reinterprets retro influences through a modern lens, balancing familiarity with the excitement of discovery. Designed as a layered flooring system, the collection includes carpet tile, broadloom, and hard surface options in a rich range of colors and formats. Multiple sizes—18″ x 36″, 9″ x 36″, and 24″ x 24″—enable flexible layouts and scalable design. Select styles feature EcoWorx Bio backing, offering a more sustainable foundation for interiors designed to both evolve and endure.
HALCON
Showroom #10-121, The MART
The FERRA conference chair collection is HALCON’s first executive seating line developed in collaboration with Italian designer Mario Ferrarini. Crafted to elevate modern meeting spaces, FERRA pairs precision with refined materials, including fine leathers, polished metals, and rich finishes. Signature ribbon arms—available with optional leather inlay—highlight the balance of form and function, while a tailored mechanism supports intuitive movement. With extensive graded-in upholstery options, HALCON FERRA delivers a sophisticated, customizable conference chair rooted in comfort and ageless appeal.
Next-Gen Material Innovation
Material innovation is advancing into the realms of performance, chemistry, and environmental impact. From bio-based inputs to recycled content and PVC-free alternatives, manufacturers are rethinking how products are constructed at a fundamental level. For designers, this critical shift offers new ways to meet sustainability goals, improve indoor air quality, and specify with greater confidence as clients expect greater transparency and accountability during the design process. We agree with our “Trends” experts featured in this issue that now is the time for deeper conversations about materiality.
Flora Materials
Booth #7-5033, The MART
Flora Materials’ debut bio-based flooring tile redefines resilient flooring with sustainability and performance. Manufactured in America, this zero-VOC surface transforms oyster shell byproducts into a hardy, antimicrobial material ideal for high-traffic commercial interiors. Meeting ASTM standards for impact, slip resistance, and fire performance, it delivers long-lasting reliability. Available in 12″ x 12″ tiles with customizable 24″ x 36″ formats, the collection features seven color options, including an oyster shell–speckled creamy white. This tile blends nature-inspired design with seamless installation for forward-thinking interior environments.
Bentley
220 W. Kinzie St.
Bentley’s Land/Mark carpet tile collection introduces a new generation of sustainable flooring solutions for commercial interiors. Designed with Neutral Haus, the collection includes three styles—Where We Met, Old Haunts, and Know By Heart—each offering layered textures and tonal variation. Crafted from ECONYL regenerated nylon, which is made from reclaimed materials, it supports circular design and reduces environmental impact. With 16 colorways and modular tile formats, Bentley Land/Mark carpet tile collection enhances flexibility and durability in high-traffic spaces.
Parador
Showroom #1112, The MART
Taterra by Parador is a high-performance, PVC-free flooring solution developed for architects and designers seeking eco-friendly alternatives to traditional resilient flooring. Its electron-beam-hardened polypropylene surface provides superior durability while maintaining a lightweight, resource-efficient profile. Rated for commercial use, Taterra is waterproof and suitable for underfloor heating and cooling systems. The collection includes three formats—Wide Plank, Chateau Plank, and Herringbone—available in eight colorways, delivering wood-look flooring with consistent visual authenticity.
About the Author
Lauren Brant
Staff Writer, interiors+sources and BUILDINGS
Lauren Brant is Staff Writer for both interiors+sources and BUILDINGS. She is an award-winning editor and reporter whose work has appeared in daily and weekly newspapers. In 2020, the weekly newspaper won the Rhoades Family Weekly Print Sweepstakes—the division winner across the state's weekly newspapers. Lauren was also awarded the top feature photo across Class A papers. She holds a B.A. in journalism and media communications from Colorado State University-Fort Collins and a M.S. in organizational management from Chadron State College.
Carrie Meadows
Head of Content
Carrie Meadows is Head of Content for interiors+sources, where she leads editorial strategy, content development, and brand storytelling focused on the people, projects, and innovations shaping the design industry. With more than two decades of experience in B2B media, she has built a career connecting technical expertise with creative insight—translating complex topics into meaningful stories for professional audiences.
Before joining interiors+sources in 2024, Carrie served as Editor-in-Chief of LEDs Magazine within Endeavor Business Media’s Digital Infrastructure & Lighting Group, guiding coverage of emerging lighting technologies, sustainability, and human-centric design. Her earlier editorial experience spans across Laser Focus World, Vision Systems Design, Lightwave, and CleanRooms, where she managed print and digital publications serving the optics, photonics, and semiconductor sectors.
An advocate for clear communication and thoughtful storytelling, Carrie combines her editorial management, SEO, and content strategy expertise to help brands and readers stay informed in a rapidly evolving media landscape. When she’s not crafting content, Carrie can be found volunteering at a local animal shelter, diving into a good crime novel, or spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her favorite four-legged friends.