One of the best educational experiences you can have as an industry pro is attending a panel discussion where the panelists’ chemistry is at least as powerful as the information. Having participated and hosted dozens of panels and roundtables, I love to see these efforts succeed in matching passion and knowledge and exceeding audience expectations. 

The “Trends in Modern Design” discussion at this year’s Closets Conference and Wood Pro Conference is a perfect example, thanks to panelists with expertise in design, communication, and cool hunting: Jesse Collins, director of marketing and communications for Rehau; Gwen Petter, director of product design for Wilsonart; and Christina Relyea, director of customer experience for JB Cutting and president of the ACSP. 

“I’m a marketing director, but I’m also a trendspotter and a curator of what we end up bringing into our lines here in the States,” says Collins. “We try to stay one step ahead of what’s mainstream in North America; we are based in Europe and have access to events like the Milan furniture fair and the EuroCucina kitchens event.

“Gwen and Christina, and I have been on panels together before, and the dynamic and spontaneity comea from a love about getting all nerdy about trends. We’re all in a similar boat, looking for what is happening in the market and then figuring out what’s going to resonate with our customers.” 

So, what’s resonating? Metallic looks, says Collins, spotted over the last few years in Milan, but with a warmer hue friendlier to American audiences. Metals have moved from being an accent to a broader part of the palette, which Rehau has answered with PET 2DL surfaces with an anti-fingerprint texture: RAUVISIO ferro, in an oiled bronze design called Gilded Arrow. This look falls under the “Cactus Charm” trend, evoking the desires of LA residents that have migrated to opulent desert enclaves like Palm Springs. 

The “Modern Charm” trend is a blend of mid-century and modern styles resulting in a clean and clutter-free space, says Petter. “We’re seeing this merging with the darker side of nature, getting into those deeper, richer shades of deep greens and blues. They feel warm and inviting, contrasted by brown and lighter cream tones. 

“For woodgrains, we’re seeing mid-tone browns and lighter neutrals,” says Petter. “Everybody’s talking about rift-cut white oak and walnut, and one of the greatest things we can do is take trending species and colors and create solutions you will never find in nature.  That’s the beauty of what we can do with engineered materials — create the colors that people are after in the species that are prominent — like a light color on a walnut. It’s a really modern approach to design, taking the best of both worlds.”

“Comforting” is a trend Relyea sees driving some of JB Cutting’s markets. “Pastel colors like celadon green helps us continue to bring the outdoors inside, which is a movement that’s hitting hard in the home. Terracotta is showing up as a statement color in this context. 

Comforting colors like navy blue and laid-back designs reflect how casual we’ve been for the last three years, although we’re also seeing some neoclassical elements come into play for 2023.” Fluted glass is being specified to mute what’s on the other side of the door or panel, and tambour looks are further satisfying demand for strong geometrics. 

Other trends identified by the panel include “Coastal Calm,” an aesthetic that’s no longer limited to just coastal areas, says Petter.

“It’s an aspirational style throughout the entire country. People are looking for ways to create that escape by selecting washed wood tones, watery blues and greens transporting that beachy style, and more eco-conscious surfaces that support the coastal calm aesthetic.

“Modern Thinking” is a “resimmercial” movement (using residential furniture in commercial spaces) inspired by boutiques and hotel spaces, clean and polished, a curated look that reflects our experiences outside the home. 

One universal trend mentioned by the panel is a movement away from aggressive embossed-in-register designs. Textures that look and feel more like natural wood for a softer effect — less technical, more organic, with more natural light play.  

Materials Refresher
In my educational work with design students, architects, designers, and manufacturers, I’ve noticed growing demand for “Materials 101” content, so this is a great spot for a quick refresh on the materials used to bring these trends to life: 

HPL (high-pressure laminate): 
No mysteries here; the granddaddy of all laminates, with the highest impact resistance. Made from several layers of resin-saturated paper bonded under heat and pressure, HPL is easy to handle and can be laminated to substrates in the field. Used on high-wear surfaces and anywhere, the convenience of fabrication and access to a wide design range. Exposed edges require a high-quality edgeband. 

TFL (thermally-fused laminate): 
Essentially the same paper decorative layer as HPL, but instead of being bonded to additional layers of paper, it’s thermally fused to a composite wood substrate to create a homogenous decorative panel. Exposed edges require a high-quality edgeband. 

3DL: 
Three-dimensional laminates are thermoplastic overlays pressed around five of six sides of a carved panel (usually MDF) in one step, making them very efficient to manufacture and easy to keep clean. The sixth side – the back – is almost always TFL. The material is flexible enough to press into fine details: rounded edges, shaker door details carved into MDF, integrated pulls, etc. 

2DL: 
Polymer (PET, PVC, polypropylene, acrylic)- based two-dimensional laminates capable of carrying high-gloss glass effects, brushed metal and realistic woodgrain designs. Exposed edges require a high-quality edgeband.

Paper-Based Foils: 
Often used in RTA residential furniture, these foils are usually printed with very convincing woodgrains. Edgbanding is required on exposed edges. 

Edgbanding: 
Unless your panel or door is surfaced in 3DL, it will require a durable edge, beautiful edge. Made from PVC, PP, PMMA or ABS in colors and designs to match most laminates, advanced products can be applied with laser or hot-air machines for an almost invisible seam and maximum bond durability. 

Sustainability: 
All materials and designs in this article are based on composite wood panels, which store more carbon than is released in converting trees into cabinetry, making it the only naturally climate-positive building material. Surfaces with woodgrain designs also help avoid harvesting rare and fragile trees and provide durable, long-lasting, and easy-to-clean products with all the beauty of wood.