Long before it finds its way onto consumers' favorite chair or sofa, upholstery fabric makes its debut at the Interwoven textile trade show, held biannually in High Point, North Carolina. The fall edition of the fair revealed a range of trends, from new colors to patterns and materials, that are expected to shape furniture design and interior decoration in the coming seasons.
This is what awaits you in autumn/winter 2025/2026:
Fresh interpretations of traditional motifs
The nostalgia trend continues to influence the return of classic patterns with modern updates through color, texture and technique.
“We're elevating classic prints with super-saturated colors and macro-scaling to excite the senses,” said Kristen Moonjian, creative director of home furnishings and lifestyle at trend forecaster Fashion Snoops (FS).
Sunbrella gave classic stripes and checks a twist with dotted or segmented lines, and English country florals and checks looked fresh in modern blush, salmon and chambray blues.
“We're looking at layering the different stripes — the ticking stripes, the textured stripes — with other classics like tiny polka dots,” said Amy Gillam, design manager at Sunbrella. “They’re a fun way to mix and match and create a collection that customers can layer on top of each other.”
With the new Modern Roots collection, Valdese Weavers' high-end Circa 1801 line puts a new spin on checks and florals by incorporating rich texture through plush yarns like chenille and bouclé.
“We have traditional patterns that feel more contemporary, with different scales and a toolbox of different types of yarn that we can use since we make our own,” said Jill Harrell, director of marketing and brand communications.
Handcrafted details
Reflecting the desire for traditional designs, the focus on artisanal techniques and handwork remained important and was evident in embroidered effects and fringe details throughout Interwoven's showrooms.
“I think it’s great that we’re seeing a lot of fringe,” said Katie Atwater Williams, creative director of De Leo Textiles. “We've done a lot this season, from bolder versions in bright colors to subtle, sophisticated fringes that add texture to a neutral fabric.”
Embroidered patterns added a touch of handmade style to fabrics not only from DeLeo, but also from Sunbrella, Valdese Weavers, Kravet and Thibaut, and others.
“We’re doing a lot of new embroidery,” Atwater Williams said. “We’re seeing so much traditional stuff coming in.”
These techniques reflected consumers' urge to honor the traditions of artisans while also greater appreciation of the role of nature in home design.
“We are responding to consumer disillusionment with fast fashion and overconsumption amid the current humanitarian crisis,” Moonjian said. “The desire for meaningful products that celebrate both the manufacturer and the materials is growing. We are using local resources much more than ever before and working in harmony with nature’s natural cycles.”
Red return
Although earthy blues, greens and browns have been prevalent lately, red seems to be making a comeback in interior design.
“Red is trending, especially in fashion, and we will see it continue in homes well into fall/winter 2025/2026, especially with these darker, burgundy hues,” Moonjian said.
On the lighter end of the spectrum, earthy terracotta tones from recent seasons will continue to warm along with the rest of the color palette.
“We're seeing more warm tones across the board, and terracotta is going more pink toward salmon,” Harrell said.
At DeLeo, bolder reds emerged, from dustier hues to juicy wine tones.
“We love that marsala, almost raisin color,” Atwater Williams said. “There's more red coming in, even if it's muted at the moment, which we haven't seen in a long time.”
Moonjian said that while colors in the home have become more muted in recent years, a shift toward more vibrant hues such as red is increasing.
“We're definitely entering a time where we're exploring a lot of color in our homes,” she said. “This is definitely our most colorful season in a long time.”
Animal magnetism
Nature's influence on interiors continues, this time in the form of modern animal prints that go beyond the typical leopard and snake patterns.
Spotted koi in chenille at DeLeo and whimsical forest animals on a toile-patterned fabric at Valdese Weavers exemplified the trend, but the look reached other heights in Kravet Couture's new collection with designer Joseph Altuzarra.
The line featured a range of patterns and colors, including Rorschach, a painterly depiction of large butterflies, and Moth, which featured an overlapping design reminiscent of the details of moth wings.
“People come to us for design inspiration,” said David Lappert, vice president of sales at Kravet. “When we design fabrics, it’s not for this moment, but for what happens in the next two years.”