Event Furnishings Trends - 3rd Quarter 2009

What was once considered simply an "addition to décor" has become a staple in the events industry. Event furnishings - furniture and accessories - have become a must-have at any event that plans to offer a "wow" factor to guests. Consider the magical transformation that event furnishings provide:

• An unfinished building or outdoor area can become a sultry nightclub setting through the addition of lighted bars, lighted tables, chaise lounges, and sleek black and white sofas.
  
  
• A cold, boxy room can change into a warm, aristocratic library by introducing brown leather club chairs and high back sofas combined with wood tables, books and accents.
  
  
• A worn ballroom can be transformed into a trendy, fun atmosphere by using sofas, club chairs, tables, and banquettes, bars, and stools.

However, for event furnishings to be most effective, they must retain the ability to surprise and delight attendees by utilizing the latest innovations and concepts. To help you stay on the cutting edge of events, here are the event furnishing trends for the 3rd Quarter 2009:

• Headline trends: Lighted products, outdoor furniture (such as bamboo, hemp and jute) and sofa groupings in a wide range of colors.
  
  
• Lighted products remain hot. Event planners are seeking new varieties of lighted bars, tables, sofa bottoms, and more. Look for a mirrored effect with a more sophisticated twist on lighted goods.
  
  
• Outdoor product is also a great way to transform any outdoor setting or set the stage for a "green" event. Bamboo furnishings, day beds, chairs and loveseats continue to make lawns, patios, and any other outdoor setting that much more homey. In a fanciful twist, outdoor furnishings can also literally change the climate: in a cold weather winter setting, turn a ballroom into a tropical resort. It transports guests to a place they want to be, making it that much more enticing for them to mix and mingle.
  
  
• When it comes to colors, white never goes out of style. Black is a staple, of course, but charcoal is becoming the new black for 2009-2010. However, when it comes to high drama, color is taking the lead. Whether the furnishings use lots of color or simple accent pieces - a splash of color here, a sofa there - color is becoming more and more important. In a combination of trends, lighted product also offers a great way to add color because you can economically change out lights - and the effect really pops. Blue, red, purple, and orange are hot. And depending on where you are in thbe country, yellows, purples, and pinks are starting to shine through, too.

No matter what the theme, style or size of an event, furniture is now needed to add that element of relaxation, of jubilance, of home. It creates camaraderie and brings guests closer together, which is what an event is really meant to do. Before finalizing your next event, ask yourself, "What would I want if I were a guest at this event...?" When you answer "comfort" and "excitement" - the solution is proper furnishings.


AFR Event Furnishings is a national supplier of fashion-forward, upscale special events furnishings and accessories. With locations nationwide, AFR offers an exceptional selection of inventory and a seasoned team of professionals that understand the nature of the event industry - and whose customer service is second to none. AFR recently introduced its lighted Infinity Series to accolades nationwide.