The Design Pulse: What We Discovered at This Year’s Las Vegas Design Show

Our design team just got back from the Las Vegas design show, and wow, there's so much good stuff happening in interior design right now. If you've been feeling like everything's looked a little too safe and neutral lately, you're going to love where things are headed. We spent days walking the showrooms, now our phones are full of photos and our heads are buzzing with ideas for Foxwell and Fox Homes projects. Here's what caught our eye.

Dark Woods Are Having a Moment

The biggest shift we noticed? Woods are getting darker. After years of light oak and whitewashed everything, it's refreshing to see rich walnuts, deep espresso finishes, and even some almost-black stained pieces making their way into homes.

What we love about this trend is how it instantly makes a space feel more collected and intentional. A dark wood dining table has this grounding effect, like it's been in the family for years. There's just something about darker wood that adds depth and makes a room feel more grown-up in the best possible way.

Powder Blue Is Everywhere (And We're Not Mad About It)

If we had to pick the MVP color from this year's show, it's powder blue. Not a bright, in-your-face blue - more like that soft, dreamy shade that somehow works with everything.

We're talking powder blue kitchen cabinets that look fresh but not trendy, accent walls that add personality without taking over, and piping details on sofas that give just the right pop of color. What makes this shade so perfect is how versatile it is. It looks wonderful with those darker woods, plays nicely with metallics, and it's one of those colors that's sophisticated enough to stick around, so you won't be kicking yourself in three years for committing to it.

Browns and Plum Are the New Neutrals

Neutrals are getting way more interesting. The fabrics and upholstery at the show told us that beige is taking a backseat to richer, warmer tones. Think chocolate browns in velvet and textured fabrics - very '70s but in a completely modern way.

The real standout was Plum. We didn't expect to fall in love with this color, but here we are. It's not quite purple, not quite mauve - just this sophisticated, moody shade that adds color without being loud about it. We saw it on accent chairs, pillows, and especially in bedrooms. It's unexpected in the best way.

Patterned Sofas Are Back (Yes, Really)

The days of beige and gray sofas are officially over. Patterned upholstery is making a comeback, and it's not scary like you might think.

We're seeing geometric prints, modern florals, and abstract designs on sofas that actually become the focal point of the room, and that's the whole point. Here's what's different from the busy patterns of the past: these are thoughtful. Larger-scale motifs with plenty of breathing room, tonal patterns that add texture without chaos, designs that work with the rest of your space instead of fighting it.

Contrast piping is also popping up everywhere. This detail, where there's a thin line of contrasting color along the seams, gives furniture that custom, tailored look and ties colors together in a really smart way. We're already thinking about how to incorporate this into some Fox Homes projects.

Rattan, Rope, and All Things Natural

Natural materials are having their moment, and we're seeing rattan and rope in places we didn't expect. Sure, there are plenty of rattan chairs and baskets (classics for a reason), but we also saw rattan worked into headboards, cabinet fronts, and lighting. What we love about these materials is the texture and warmth they bring to a space. They soften things up and add a handmade quality that feels authentic. Plus, they age beautifully. They're meant to show some wear and character over time, which is kind of refreshing in a world of trying to keep everything perfect.

Lighting Has Become Art

The lighting section of the show was honestly jaw-dropping. We're not talking about your standard pendant lights here - glasswork has gone full artistic. Blown glass in wild organic shapes, colored glass that creates amazing ambient lighting, fixtures that mix glass with metal and natural fibers... it's all basically sculpture that happens to light up your room.

This is the jewelry of your home, and designers are treating it that way. If you're going to invest in one statement piece for a room, lighting might be where to do it right now.

The Butterfly Effect

One more thing we can't not mention: butterflies were everywhere. Wallpapers, textiles, decorative pieces - the butterfly motif is definitely trending. It's playful without being childish, and there's something kind of hopeful about it. Transformation and natural beauty and all that. We're into it.

Here's the thing about these trends: they're not just random changes for the sake of change. They're all pointing toward us wanting homes with more personality, more warmth, and more connection to real craftsmanship and natural materials. Less sterile, more lived-in. Less boring, more you.

We're already thinking about how to bring these ideas into our Fox Homes projects and we can't wait to see how these trends show up in real homes over the next year. The design world is in a good place right now.