NeoCon is one of the world’s leading commercial interior design exhibitions, where global brands gather to showcase the latest in office aesthetics and workplace innovation. Our Product Development team headed to America for the three-day event, where they spotted six standout trends shaping the future of workplace design. Let’s take a closer look.
1. The office is still embracing the comforts of home
Home-inspired design (often referred to as resimercial) isn’t new, but NeoCon 2025 proved this trend is still going strong. Driven by the rise (and rise!) of hybrid working, designers are continuing to rethink what the modern workplace should look and feel like. And they all seem to agree: today’s offices need to be more inviting, more personal, and a lot less clinical than the corporate workplaces of the past.
They’re drawing inspiration from the home, reimagining products that once prioritised function over form to now deliver on both fronts. Ergonomic performance is still essential, but it’s now paired with aesthetics that would look right at home in…well, your home.
2. Round is in, square is out
Goodbye straight edges, it’s all about soft curves now. From rounded desk corners to gently curved table legs, there weren’t many square corners or sharp angles in sight. Interior designers are favouring shapes that feel more inviting, more domestic, and less industrial.
3. Biophilic design with a twist
Bringing the outdoors in is undeniably soothing, and at NeoCon this year, our team viewed all the staples of biophilic design: integrated plants, natural finishes, and plenty of outdoor furniture. This echoes Orgatec last year, but there’s a shift emerging: the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces is moving in the other direction too, with inside pieces now being brought outside.
Alongside the outdoor-ready items found in many hybrid offices, traditional indoor furniture is being modified to suit exterior use. We’re talking collaborative office seating available in all-weather fabrics and finishes, and other design solutions that make it easy to turn terraces and courtyards into part of the working environment.
4. Sustainable workplace design keeps the office alive as well as the planet
If we want to entice people back into the office in a hybrid world, the space needs to feel good, which explains many of the aesthetics leading the charge at NeoCon 2025.
Rich burgundies, earthy tones, and tactile finishes bring depth and warmth to commercial interiors, complemented by thoughtful touches like wooden arm caps, pet-friendly furniture, and cosy patterned textiles. In other words: workplaces that feel more personal and practical and are built to last.
5. Open layouts are getting smarter and softer
Designers are increasingly exploring creative ways to divide and personalise open-plan spaces. At NeoCon, we saw clever layouts that used desks facing outward to create small collaborative zones in the centre instead of traditional back-to-back setups. These arrangements help make management teams more visible and approachable in a shared hybrid environment.
6. Acoustic panels are doing double duty
Traditionally used for privacy and noise control, especially in open-plan offices, acoustic panels are now pulling a double shift. At NeoCon 2025, panels weren’t just absorbing sound; they were also a design tool in their own right.
We saw panels in bold colours, playful shapes, and sculptural forms that added personality, texture, and visual interest to a range of environments. These panels are both flexible and affordable, offering an easy way to refresh a space without breaking the bank.
Beyond the trends: a review of NeoCon 2025
While these standout trends have inspired us, our team brought home a few other key insights from this year’s event.
Fulton Market brings a fresh perspective
While NeoCon continues to set the stage for product launches and industry conversations, the nearby Fulton Market district has also carved out its niche as a vibrant design destination. With open showrooms, pop-up installations, and a relaxed street-level vibe, Design Days at Fulton Market offers a complementary counterpoint to the traditional trade show format.
Spotlight on Schiavello’s NeoCon exhibit
For our Product Development team, one of the standout exhibits at NeoCon 2025 came from Australian brand Schiavello, a long-time partner of Buro. Their showroom captured attention for all the right reasons, blending intuitive products with sustainable workplace design.
Showcasing beautifully crafted furniture that balances style and substance, Schiavello’s approach reflects the global appetite for workplaces that support people and the planet. And Schiavello’s growing presence in North America is a testament to the universal appeal of hybrid office seating that is both beautifully made and responsibly produced.
Buro has a long history of home-inspired design
At Buro, we’ve always designed stylish ergonomic chairs that feel as good as they look, so this shift towards more comfortable, residential-style workspaces is right in our wheelhouse.
Take the Konfurb Arco Series and Konfurb Luna, two seating options that bring home comforts into the workplace.
The Konfurb Arco Series
The Konfurb Arco Series is all about flexibility, which is exactly what today’s workplaces need. This modular seating system makes it easy to shape your space around how people use it, whether that’s collaborating with others, taking a quiet moment to recharge, or getting stuck into focused work. It’s a simple, stylish way to create inviting zones that support a range of working styles, without losing that sense of comfort we associate with being at home.
Konfurb Luna
Light, flexible, and effortlessly functional, the Konfurb Luna is designed to support natural movement throughout the day. With its breathable mesh back, simple silhouette, and adjustable lumbar support, it suits a variety of users and working styles, whether you’re working from home or at a shared office.
Is it time to rethink your workspace?
At Buro, we design ergonomic office chairs for Australia and New Zealand that support the shift towards comfort, flexibility, and home-inspired design. Talk to our team about finding the right hybrid office seating for your workplace.
