CHAIRSWhere is furniture design heading in 2026?
Coverage of Salone del Mobile Milan 2026 and 2026 hospitality furniture trend reports point to a shift from plain minimalism towards more expressive, textured and warmer design. You do not need to copy these trends directly, but when choosing café and restaurant chairs it helps to see which ideas fit your venue. Below are the themes that stand out in industry coverage, with practical meaning for operators.
Trends and what they mean for you
| Trend | What it means for a venue |
|---|---|
| Warm, earthy tones | Sand, taupe, espresso, olive, terracotta and burgundy frames or fabrics instead of cool greys |
| Softer, rounded forms | Rounded-back, curved chairs and armchairs instead of sharp lines |
| Reinvented tubular chairs | Thin-tube metal frames paired with leather or fabric seats |
| Texture and pattern | Bouclé, woven fabrics, tactile surfaces |
| Colour as character, not just surface | Deep tones and venue-specific accent colours |
| Flexible, modular layouts | Multi-purpose rooms that are easy to rearrange |
| Sustainable, repairable construction | Sturdy frames, replaceable upholstery, long-life products |
Warm tones and softer forms
Cool greys are giving way to sand, espresso, olive and terracotta. In a restaurant these tones feel intimate and settled. For chairs this means warm upholstery, wood-toned details and rounded back shapes. Curved, lounge-style chairs, especially armchair models, fit this line well.
Tubular chairs are back
At Salone del Mobile classic tubular chairs were reinterpreted, with designs pairing chrome steel or thin metal frames with leather or fabric seats. That is good news for makers of thin-tube metal chairs: a light look, a strong metal frame and a comfortable seat can come together.
Texture, pattern and colour
Woven fabrics, bouclé and tactile surfaces add warmth. Colour is treated as the venue's character rather than just a surface, with deep, rich tones to the fore. Choosing frame colour to match your brand with electrostatic powder coating suits this approach.
Flexibility and sustainability
Seating that is easy to rearrange is gaining value for multi-purpose rooms. Sturdy frames, replaceable upholstery and long-life construction cut waste and lower total cost. In commercial use, the balance of comfort, easy cleaning and durability must always come first.
What to do for your venue
- Add one warm accent to your palette; you do not need to replace every chair.
- Trial armchairs and rounded forms in one section of the room.
- Always ask about care and stain resistance for textured fabrics.
- Prefer models where frame and upholstery can be replaced separately.
- Request a custom colour that matches your brand.
ASF Sandalye makes metal chairs in its own workshop in Sancaktepe, Istanbul, and sets frame colour and upholstery per project. Request a quote with your sizes and quantities to adapt these trends to your venue.
Common questions
Which colours are trending for restaurant chairs in 2026?
According to industry coverage, warm earthy tones such as sand, taupe, espresso, olive, terracotta and burgundy are replacing cool greys.
Are tubular chairs fashionable again?
At Salone del Mobile 2026 classic tubular chairs were reinterpreted, with designs pairing metal frames with leather or fabric seats.
Do I have to replace all my chairs to follow trends?
No. You can update your layout with colour, upholstery and a few accent chairs.