4 trends to look out for at Casual Market Atlanta | JINHANFAIR DiscoverNEW

2026.06.30

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In just a few weeks, the halls of AmericasMart will be buzzing with buyers and exhibitors attending July Casual Market.

 

Dealers and designers will be on the lookout for solutions that meet the needs on their retail floors and in their projects. Suppliers will be showing the latest trends in a consumer category that has shown surprising — or perhaps not so surprising, given how outdoor lifestyles have continued to trend years after the pandemic sent everyone outside — staying power.

 

As I walk the showroom floors and temporaries this summer in search of stories to tell, I’ll be on the lookout for four key trends that continue to shape the casual segment as it aims to capture the continued consumer interest in outdoor living.

 

See also:

What’s behind the relative resiliency of outdoor furniture sales?

Outdoor supplier cites 2 reasons for shifting production back to China

 

1. Accessories ascendant? Game on.

 

With consumers increasingly tightening their wallets and those willing to spend more discerning than ever, one home furnishings category has shown real strength: outdoor accessories. Accessories and accents offer consumers lower-cost ways to refresh a space or add to its recreational value, and that is as true outdoors as it is inside.

 

I will be on the lookout for outdoor gaming tables, a trend that has appeared repeatedly in case goods introductions across recent High Point markets. Lawn games are another growing feature in both residential and hospitality spaces that merit attention.

 

An outdoor Connect 4 board made by SoPoly

 

Above all, accessories that connect directly to popular pastimes such as pickleball and mahjong strike me as an easy sell for dealers looking to meet consumers where they are. If outdoor living is increasingly about experiences rather than simply furniture, accessories may be one of the category’s most important growth opportunities.

 

2. Material stories keep evolving

 

It is impossible to overstate the extent to which materials matter in outdoor furniture. They influence durability, aesthetics, maintenance requirements and, ultimately, how consumers perceive value.

 

Yet the conversation has evolved beyond simply whether a product is made from teak, aluminum, wicker or composite materials. Increasingly, suppliers are telling deeper stories about sustainability, performance and innovation. Materials have become a way for brands to distinguish themselves in a crowded marketplace.

 

Suppliers like Brown Jordan continue to innovate with mixed-material designs, making this a key point of differentiation in the outdoor category.

 

Some companies are finding new applications for materials they have worked with for years. Others are blending materials in creative ways to deliver fresh aesthetics and performance benefits. Whether the focus is responsibly sourced wood, alternative composites, performance textiles or mixed-material construction, I expect material innovation to remain one of the most important stories on the market floor.

 

3. A wider range of price points

 

Outdoor furniture may be outperforming many other home furnishings categories, but consumers shopping in the category are not immune to economic pressures.

 

One development I have found particularly interesting is the willingness of suppliers to broaden their assortments to reach a wider range of consumers. In some cases, premium brands are introducing products at more accessible price points without sacrificing the design language that made them successful. At the same time, value-oriented suppliers continue to elevate styling, materials and comfort features in ways that make outdoor living more attainable to a wider range of consumers.

 

The art-deco inspired Batu outdoor dining table from Zuo Modern is an example of how value focused brands are elevating their styling.

 

The result is a category that increasingly offers consumers multiple ways to participate, regardless of budget. As dealers continue to navigate a cautious retail environment, I will be interested to see how suppliers balance accessibility with differentiation and maintain a compelling value proposition at every level of the market.

 

4. The hospitality effect endures

 

Consumers may not think of their backyards as hospitality spaces, but many of the design principles that shape resorts, restaurants and hotels continue to find their way into residential outdoor environments.

 

That influence can be seen in everything from deep seating and modular configurations to performance fabrics and contract-grade durability. The goal is often the same: Create spaces that encourage gathering, relaxation and extended use.

 

Sunset West’s Bazaar 94″ rectangular sintered stone dining table has been a big hit with the high-end hospitality buyer.

 

What has become particularly interesting is how consumers increasingly expect those hospitality-inspired benefits at home. They want furniture that looks good, performs well and helps transform patios, porches and pool decks into social media-ready destinations.

 

As outdoor living continues to evolve, I will be watching for suppliers that successfully bridge the gap between residential comfort and commercial performance. If recent introductions are any indication, the hospitality effect remains one of the most impactful forces shaping the casual segment today.