BDNY 2024 Highlights: Innovative Murals, Textured Wallcoverings, and Hospitality Design Insights

Each November, interior designers and architects gather in New York at BDNY, the trade show organized by Boutique Design Magazine. If you're unfamiliar with this show, the organizers describe it as one that "connects boutique hospitality brands and designers with exceptional vendors, insider experiences, and hospitality products not found anywhere else." It's always an inspiring and informative show; this year did not disappoint.  

I've long thought the hospitality industry is well suited to embrace digital printing in their projects. Why? Because the hospitality industry is in the business of making memories and creating unique experiences for people. They are often designing one-of-a-kind places that reflect a specific place and time. Wide-format printing allows designers to customize spaces and create something singularly unique. So, seeing more examples of it on the floor was exciting.  

Where did we see wide-format printing? 

Murals and Engineered Patterns  

Wallcoverings were showing a lot of creativity this year. There were many murals and statement pieces on display.  

Texture 

I was so excited to see the Dimense Décor Gallery with a booth full of walls printed with textured patterns. This is an exciting product, and it seemed that everyone who walked by their booth stopped to touch the walls. 

Scale and Detail 

Without having to stay within the restrictions of regular repeat sizes or a limited number of colors, designers were playing with scale and detail. This was apparent in wallcovering and flooring, such as the Milliken Floors' Snapshot Collection of photorealistic carpet motifs.  

What other trends did we spot?  

It wasn't all digitally printed products at BDNY though. Not by a long shot. There were a lot of products inspired by nature or made with natural materials. For example, wood, stone, and tile are prominently featured in many products. Natural fibers were also important in the bath and bedding category. Along with these natural materials, vendors offered transparency about where they sourced them.  

I also noticed a difference in how technology was incorporated. Products seemed to be integrating technology in a way that felt organic. Rather than give off a high-tech vibe that felt sterile and cold, technology was integrated into products in an unobtrusive way. 

Nicole Lashae Ben, a consultant who works with brands to break into the interior market, was also there. She said, "At BDNY 2024, bold colors and vibrant patterns in textiles truly stood out. I also saw a strong emphasis on brand collaborations, encouraging designers to think outside the box in reimagining spaces."   

For printers looking to approach this market, BDNY is a show worth investigating. Another hospitality show worth investigating is the HD Expo + Conference that takes place every spring in Las Vegas.