AkzoNobel to Showcase Latest Wood Coatings Innovations at 2022 High Point Market

Wood manufacturers and designers at the spring 2022 International Home Furnishing Market in High Point will get insights into the color trends shaping this year’s furniture market from experts in AkzoNobel’s Global Color and Design Studio for Wood Coatings.

During the five days of the event, which takes place between April 2-6, 2022, color specialists from the AkzoNobel team will be showcasing the latest color and design influences in the wood industries, including the impact of trends in fashion, lifestyle and other areas of society.

“Our Global Color and Design Studio for Wood Coatings works closely with color designers to create new colors and effects in paints and coatings. We draw from centuries of expertise and combine that with our latest in-depth market research to develop industry-leading color trends that serve as inspiration for the year ahead,” said Rob Haley, Color Trends Manager for Wood Coatings at AkzoNobel.

Among the modern design influences reflected in the latest products from AkzoNobel are the trend for fresh looks rather than distressing, the preference for less gray and more color, and bringing the outside in with the growing popularity of natural designs and smoother woods, such as birch, cherry, burl, walnut, and maple. Organic elements, such as rattan, jute, sisal and stone, are also increasingly popular, while preferences are moving away from pale and desaturated furnishings.

In addition, the AkzoNobel team will be showcasing the company’s 2022 Color of the Year – Bright Skies™. Bright Skies is an airy, light blue that captures the optimism and desire for a fresh start felt across society, after two years of disruption and uncertainty.

Experts from the Global Color and Design Studio for Wood Coatings have built four distinct color palettes that use the Color of the Year to bring these trends to life:

• The Studio – soulful, warm and modern tones
• The Salon – embracing artful qualities
• The Greenhouse – reveling in nature’s influence
• The Workshop – creating flexibility in multifunctional spaces

It is expected that these palettes will be a key influence on home decor in 2022, including furniture, flooring, cabinetry and building products.

“The inspiration of Bright Skies has enlightened our outlook on today’s new direction for wood finishes. It influences how we approach the use of better selection and higher end grades or cuts of veneers that impact the final and overall look of the finished product,” said Bob Averett, Color Design Manager for Wood Coatings at AkzoNobel.

AkzoNobel’s wood design specialists build these four distinct color palettes on wood substrates like cabinetry and also show how techniques like wire brushing and heavy distressing can add depth to the finish. The wood design team then work closely with the commercial teams to ensure that the finishes created in High Point are robust and can be industrialized for customers right across the globe.

“Our strong global footprint allows us to manage and maintain consistent performance from each of our coatings regardless of where they originate. Customers all over the world benefit from consistent quality, combined with flexibility and choice,” said Averett.