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HIGH POINT, North Carolina – Wood industry professionals now have more options to stay ahead of the latest trends. Experts on wood coatings design from AkzoNobel – a leading global paints and coatings company – just presented the latest findings on color and styling trends at the Fall 2018 High Point International Home Furnishings Market. At the event, AkzoNobel invited a select group of manufacturers, designers and product developers across the wood industries to special presentations about cutting-edge trends for furniture, cabinetry, flooring and building products. A highlight included the wood coatings launch of Spiced Honey as the 2019 AkzoNobel Color of the Year.
A highly-anticipated presentation came from Robert Haley, Color Trends Manager for AkzoNobel’s Wood Coatings business, who revealed the color and design influences that will drive the industry in 2019. Haley took a deep dive into specific industry-leading styles within the wood market for the next year. According to Haley, two top trends are centered on the customization in design and the influence urban housing is having on the home furnishings industry.
“We are seeing a strong desire for customization in design, and research is revealing consumers expressing their individual styles – for example, through reclaimed flooring used on statement walls and repurposed vintage pieces in homes,” says Haley. “Collaborative spaces are also becoming more important as populations in urban areas continue to expand, leading to more residents living in large collaborative environments that are more cost-effective than individual houses or apartments.”
When it comes to wood finishing, Haley and Bob Averett, Color Design Manager at AkzoNobel, identified four trends for 2019 that transcend design:
1. Dichotomy – the importance of two-tones, multiple layers and contrasting styles in a space
2. Authentic – organic forms that include weathered, wire-brushed finishes where imperfection is admired
3. Luminous – pearl and metallic finishes on luxurious 
looks that include velvet touches
4. Retro-Classic – modern influences with a traditional soul
“These four trends we expect in 2019 are already influencing many designs right now,” says Averett. “Our job is to inspire our customers with translations of these trends into unique wood finishes and to ensure that they are capable of running