While it was a daunting task, we whittled down our top 2017 new con seating products to 10 that we think will be a hit for their smart design, functionality, and versatility. Each selection shows that the contract trends of the past few years—residential crossovers, softer color palettes, and standalone privacy solutions—are still holding sway in the industry as we look for ways to make workplaces more welcoming, flexible, and more tailored to individual work styles. (See our previous new con weather reports on Flooring & Finishes, Privacy & Acoustics, Technology & Specialty, and Furniture.)

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, All Club invited some legendary product designers to unveil new collections at this year’s neocon. Among them, Carl Gustav Magnusson created this seating line with a sophisticated, modern silhouette that’s inviting enough to walk into a lounge, library, lobby or conference room. The body is made up of a white outer shell and a contrasting grey inner shell, with a curved cutout in the back that goes through both layers, while the base is available in a variety of styles: four-prong guest, five-prong caster with or without swivel, wooden base guest, four-prong glides or wooden glides. The shell can also be fully or partially upholstered.

Part of the Manufacturer collection, Nearby is a row of seating and tables with a residential bend perfect for cafes, public areas and multi-use spaces, in office and hospitality environments. A subtly angled seat and clean minimalist forms define all of the seating models, which include lounge and stackable side chairs, as well as counter and bar-height stools. Our favourite is the generously proportioned lounge chair, which can be fully or partially upholstered; its shell is available in seven veneer options, such as walnut, natural or grey rift oak and beech.

We wanted to take a moment to point out other Arsteel news, if you haven't heard yet: the manufacturer announced an exclusive partnership with contemporary Danish brand Normann Copenhagen during the show. Through this partnership, Normann Copenhagen pieces are entering the US contract market for the first time, and can be found mixed in with all-steel manufactured products in the Chicago showroom. These include the ever-popular and iconic form of the chair, which comes with solid wood or metal legs and armchair, side chair, rocking chair or stool models.

Layers of fabric that wrap around the body informed the shell of this lightweight side chair: a gently arched back grating on either side embraces the sitter without introducing full-height arms. The result is a simple design that's well suited to both residential and contract settings, and suitable for a variety of applications, from dining to working. CILA's plastic shell comes in six colors, with or without seat padding or fully upholstered inside the shell, while the base is available as a choice of metal or wooden legs or a metal sled or castor base.

Design duo JEHS+LAUB created several beautiful pieces for Davis that launched at this year's show, including the dapper Sachet. This upholstered armchair sports classic stitching details that give it a soft look, but its structural shell infuses it with a modern edge. Available in mid-back or low-back heights, the Sachet can be specified with one of five basic options: four wooden legs, four metal legs, a five-star caster base, a four-wheel caster base or a wire base.

Meanwhile, Soft Privacy is jehs+lab’s response to the need for privacy solutions in open workplaces. Essentially, it’s a lounge chair with a high back and sides that rise seamlessly from a tapered base. The tufted partitioned back transforms the lounge chair into a quiet alcove. However, the chairs can also be clustered together in groups, facing each other, to transform any setting into a semi-private meeting area. The chair is also ideal for university and hospitality environments.

While it really debuted at Milan Design Week, Color made its U.S. debut at Singka. Designed by the Amsterdam-based studio, this sofa is an extraordinary play of color, pattern, and texture, bringing together simple shapes, clean lines, a muted palette, and a hint of whimsy when the arms are covered in textile over the edges. Models include two- and three-seat sofas (also available without arms), a club chair, ottoman, bench, sectional, and S-shaped solid.

While there are already a lot of private booth-style furniture options available, not all of them are designed to facilitate work. The Boccaporto gets it right, though, with not only a sound-damping hood, but also integrated lighting cleverly hidden in a niche behind the seat. The power outlet is also placed there, rather than underneath the seat like many similar pods, which may reduce accidental device drops or unplugging. The Boccaporto is suitable for the workplace, but it also works well in libraries, universities, airports, and other open indoor environments where quiet space is needed.

Umami, which boasts the ultimate flexibility for changing needs, is a lounge system made up of modular components that can be locked together to form different environments - from booths to open lounges - and then unlocked for easy reconfiguration. Its core is the sculptural, beautifully contoured upholstered seat, which can be specified in a variety of textiles and colors and arranged in straight, L and U shapes. Other components include tables, privacy screens at two heights and platforms.

Renowned London designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby crossed the pond to attend New Weather and officially launch their Pacific Chair. Vitra approached the pair and asked them to rethink seating for ergonomic tasks - with a quiet design. The result is a sophisticated, streamlined chair with a backrest that extends further than a typical back seat to hide mechanical components, except for the base. The Five Star Caster base and arms are available in black or chrome finishes.