Mergers Create New Powerhouses in Furniture Design Big moves are rocking the furniture design industry, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Insidesource and Workpointe merged earlier this year, forming one of the largest furniture dealerships in the region — and positioning themselves among the top ten nationally. This alliance blends Workpointe’s expertise in healthcare, education, and institutional furniture with Insidesource’s global footprint. The merger means greater product choices and a strengthened market presence, benefiting both clients and designers. Think of it as two puzzle pieces fitting perfectly to offer a broader, premium palette of solutions.
Kimball International’s Health & Education Experience Center Meanwhile, Kimball International has gone beyond traditional showrooms by launching a 13,000-square-foot Health & Education Experience Center in Jasper, Indiana. This isn’t your usual furniture store — it’s a living lab where spaces like patient rooms, caregiver stations, and classrooms are recreated with high-performance, flexible, and wellness-focused furniture. The center embraces natural daylight, fresh air, sound control, and ergonomic designs, making health and education environments more healing and efficient. Designers and users can explore the furniture in real-life settings or virtually, a step forward from the usual catalog browsing.
Web Design Trends: Virtual Reality and Bold Visuals Take Center Stage Switching gears to digital design, web design in 2025 is turning heads with immersive VR experiences and bold, block-based layouts featuring vibrant contrasts. The tech-savvy consumer now expects websites to offer more than just static pages—they want interaction and engagement.
Leading brands like Nike and Sephora are leveraging virtual try-ons, letting customers preview shoes or makeup without stepping into a store. This trend extends to home improvement giants like Home Depot and Lowe’s, which offer virtual room design tools to see remodeling projects come alive before committing.
These immersive and experimental designs aren’t just fancy add-ons anymore—they’re becoming essential tools that help users make confident buying decisions from their couches. It’s like having a personalized shopping assistant who’s available 24/7.
Luxury Design Comes Alive at JennAir’s Living Luxe Show On the luxury front, JennAir’s sponsorship of the 2025 Living Luxe Design Show in Toronto brings design and technology together in breathtaking fashion. Under the banner “The Edge of Innovation,” JennAir unveils new product innovations that redefine the luxury kitchen space through craftsmanship and disruptive technology.
The event features an immersive design experience and expert panels, giving attendees a glimpse at how modern luxury kitchens are transforming. It’s not just about looks—it’s about reimagining how we live and cook in elegant, efficient spaces.
Sustainability and Design Converge in Hospitality Spaces Lastly, hospitality design continues to emphasize sustainability and timeless luxury. For example, the upcoming 1 Hotel Melbourne focuses on reclaimed materials and biophilic design elements, marrying environmental responsibility with chic aesthetics.
Other projects, such as the Palm House Hotel in Florida, showcase custom furnishings that evoke classic elegance with a modern twist. These hospitality spaces spell out how design is evolving to meet eco-conscious demands without compromising style or guest comfort.
Wrapping Up: Design as Experience and Strategy In 2025, design in business is about more than just appearance — it’s a strategic tool to enhance experience, sustainability, and efficiency. Mergers are creating industry leaders with expanded capabilities, interactive showrooms are setting new engagement standards, and immersive technology is transforming digital spaces. Luxury and hospitality sectors are redefining elegance alongside environmental mindfulness.
The takeaway? Whether you’re in furniture, web design, or luxury appliances, staying ahead means blending innovation with experience to truly connect with your audience.
References:
- https://www.iands.design/industry-news/article/55283382/design-business-mergers-acquisitions-and-services-in-the-news
- https://www.fastcompany.com/co-design
- https://www.theedigital.com/blog/web-design-trends
- https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/jennair-brand-presents-the-edge-of-innovation-at-2025-living-luxe-design-show-899899191.html
- https://hospitalitydesign.com/news/
- https://hai-production.s3.amazonaws.com/files/hai_ai_index_report_2025.pdf
- https://explodingtopics.com/blog/fast-growing-companies
- https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/h5pbook/chapter/iframes/
