High Point Market: A Century of Furniture History and Welcoming Stays in Greensboro’s Idlewood Neighborhood

Written By Joy Watson
Local & Non-Corporate Idlewood, Greensboro Real Homes, Real Hosting A note from Joy before we dive in: I'm not a franchise, I'm not a big box brokerage, and my rentals aren't run by a management company three states away. I'm a Greensboro real estate agent and host who picks out the quilts myself, waters the garden, and works with local small businesses I trust, like Simply Organized and Clean, a fellow local non-corporate business (owned and run out of Boone) that handles the cleaning between every single stay. If you've ever wished your Market stay felt less like a hotel and more like visiting family with really good taste, keep reading, this is for you.

High Point Market: What It Is, Its Century of History, and Where to Stay in Greensboro's Idlewood Neighborhood

High Point Market is more than a trade show. It is a living tradition that has shaped the home furnishings world for over a century, and it is genuinely unlike any other trade event in the country. Twice a year, thousands of designers, buyers, and industry professionals gather in High Point, North Carolina, and downtown transforms almost overnight into something closer to a small city of its own. Many of those visitors have discovered that staying just a short drive away in Greensboro's charming Idlewood neighborhood offers a peaceful, home-like retreat after long days on the showroom floor. We have had the joy of hosting Market guests in our Idlewood short-term rentals for years, and many return because it feels like coming home to friends.

Take a peek at the world's largest furniture show, right in our backyard.

More footage and Market moments live on the official High Point Market YouTube channel, and keep an eye out for the new High Point Market documentary from UNCSA's School of Filmmaking, expected in fall 2026.

What Exactly Is High Point Market?

High Point Market is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world. Around 2,000 exhibitors fill roughly 180 buildings across downtown High Point, showing everything from residential and outdoor furniture to lighting, rugs, textiles, and home decor. All told, the showroom space adds up to more than 11 million square feet spread across a district of about 13 city blocks.

It is organized by the High Point Market Authority, a nonprofit created to run the event and promote it around the world. The Authority does not own the buildings itself. Instead, it coordinates a whole district of privately owned showroom buildings so the entire downtown functions as one unified market for the length of the show. You can read more on their official About Us page.

2,000+exhibitors
180showroom buildings
11M+ sq ftof showroom space

Who Actually Goes to Market?

Market is open to the trade only. It is built for retailers, interior designers, manufacturers, and credentialed press, not the general public, and children under 15 are not permitted on the show floor. Between 70,000 and 80,000 people attend each Market, arriving from all 50 states and roughly a dozen percent from outside the U.S., which gives you a sense of just how much the population of High Point swells for those few days.

Buyers walk the showrooms to place orders for the coming season, designers come to source pieces for their projects and spot emerging trends, and manufacturers use the week to launch new collections in front of the entire industry at once. It is essentially the furniture world's version of fashion week, just spread across an entire downtown instead of a single runway.

From Humble Beginnings to the World's Largest Home Furnishings Market

High Point's story as the furniture capital began in the late 1880s. Local entrepreneurs took advantage of abundant hardwood forests, railroad access, and growing demand to build factories. According to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the first noted piece from High Point Furniture Manufacturing Co. was an office desk shipped in 1889.

By the early 1900s, manufacturers wanted to showcase their work more efficiently and compete with big markets in New York, Chicago, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1905 and 1906, rival groups created showroom spaces. They joined forces in 1909 for the first formal Southern Furniture Market, held March 1 to 15. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has a detailed economic history of the market's founding worth a read if you want the full story.

Want the long version, including how Greensboro and Winston-Salem grew up alongside High Point? Read our deeper dive: The Rich History of High Point, North Carolina.

A Century in High Point: At a Glance

  • 1889: High Point Furniture Manufacturing Co. ships its first noted piece, an office desk, kicking off the town's furniture-making reputation.
  • 1905 to 1906: Rival manufacturer groups build their own showroom spaces around town.
  • 1909: Those groups join forces for the first formal Southern Furniture Market, held March 1 to 15.
  • 1921: The Southern Furniture Exposition Building opens, a $1 million investment and vast permanent showroom space.
  • Early 1980s: Market shifts from January/July to its now-familiar April/October schedule.
  • 1989: Renamed the International Home Furnishings Market; now simply "High Point Market."
  • Today: The largest home furnishings trade show on earth: over 11 million square feet, roughly 180 buildings, about 2,000 exhibitors, and 75,000-plus attendees each Market.

Market Dates, Hours, and Economic Impact

Market runs twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, and the dates are set years in advance by the High Point Market Authority.

Upcoming Market dates (trade professionals only, must be registered in advance):
Fall 2026: October 17 to 21  |  Spring 2027: April 10 to 14  |  Fall 2027: October 23 to 27

Show hours typically run from 8am to 7pm on the main days, with an earlier close on the final day of each Market. Temporary exhibits and suites usually open a day earlier than the permanent showrooms, so the district is already busy before the official start date. Check the official High Point Market site for the latest details, registration, and the Market app for planning your days.

According to the High Point Market Authority's own Economic Impact report, the event generates $6.73 billion in annual economic impact for North Carolina, the single biggest economic event in the state each year, supports more than 42,000 jobs, and produces $202 million in state and local tax revenue. Those figures come from a 2018 study by Duke University's Global Value Chains Center; you can read the full Duke University economic impact study (PDF) directly.

That impact reaches well beyond the showroom floors. Hotels across Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point fill up for the week, restaurants see some of their busiest days of the year, and the High Point Market Authority runs a free shuttle system that carries over 300,000 riders annually between the airport, area hotels, and downtown. Buyers and designers who cannot find a room close to downtown High Point often stay in Greensboro and commute in for the day, which is part of why short-term rentals near the Wendover corridor see such a jump in demand during Market weeks.

Why Stay in Greensboro's Idlewood Neighborhood During Market

High Point and Greensboro sit about 17 miles apart, with a typical drive of 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and exact showroom locations. Many attendees appreciate staying a short, easy commute away in a quieter residential area rather than right in the heart of the bustling Market district.

Idlewood (in Greensboro's 27408 zip code, Midtown corridor) offers tree-lined streets, a welcoming neighborhood feel, and convenient access to downtown Greensboro amenities. You can unwind after Market hours with walks along nearby greenways (like the Latham Park area or connections to the Downtown Greenway), enjoy local dining, or simply relax in a real home setting. It strikes a nice balance: close enough for easy access to High Point showrooms, yet removed from the peak crowds and intensity.

Market Floor vs. Idlewood Evenings

By Day: High Point Market

  • 180 buildings, thousands of showrooms
  • Fast-paced, business-first energy
  • Trade badges, appointments, deadlines
  • Big-brand hotels near the core

By Night: Idlewood, Greensboro

  • Tree-lined streets and front porches
  • A real home with quilts, real furniture, and a garden
  • 20 to 25 minute unwind from showroom to sofa
  • Hosted personally by a local, not a call center

Our Idlewood Short-Term Rentals: Where Market Guests Have Stayed for Years

We take pride in offering high-touch, personal hospitality in thoughtfully maintained homes. Many Furniture Market guests return season after season because the spaces feel authentic and restorative, much like staying in a friend's or family member's home rather than a generic hotel room. Real furniture, natural fibers, comfortable beds, and attention to details make a difference after long days on your feet. Between every stay, the homes are cleaned by Simply Organized and Clean, a local, non-corporate cleaning business we trust and use for every turnover.

Your Mom's Place

909 W Wendover Ave. Two private upstairs rooms named for our own mothers, Gramma Dottie's Garden Retreat and Mawmaw Uschi's Greensboro Retreat, sharing a Jack-and-Jill bath. Great for individuals or small groups who want privacy with thoughtful hosting.

See details & book ›

My Sister's House

1007 Grayland Ave. A whole-home cottage named for Joy's sister Wendy and Eric's sister Sonya, with a fully fenced yard and covered patio. Suits guests who want more room to spread out or who are traveling with a dog.

See details & book ›

Library of Ivy & Ellie

903 W Wendover Ave. A 1949 cottage named for Joy's daughters, filled with their actual books. Walkable to UNCG, full kitchen, private yard, pet friendly.

See details & book ›

Hunsucker's Place

905 W Wendover Ave. A music-themed 3 bedroom home named for Eric and his sons, best for groups of up to six. Full kitchen, dedicated workspace, easy parking.

See details & book ›

Traveling for longer than a Market week and want a slower pace? The Urban Birdhouse Tiny Home ADU is a month-to-month mid-term option (30 day minimum) built by veterans in tribute to our fathers. And if you fall in love with the neighborhood and want to see everything we manage in the area, browse our full rentals page.

Joy's Market Survival Kit

  • Book your Idlewood room or home early. Return guests claim the good ones first.
  • Bring comfy shoes; 180 buildings adds up fast.
  • Save an evening for a porch sit and a walk near Latham Park or the Downtown Greenway.
  • Ask me for local, non-corporate dining picks. I'll always tell you the truth about a place.
  • Leave your business cards at home for one dinner. Just be a person for an hour.

Practical Tips for a Great Market Experience

  • Book accommodations early, especially for popular weeks.
  • Use the official High Point Market planning resources for showroom maps, events, education sessions, and shuttle schedules.
  • The free Market shuttle system carries over 300,000 riders annually between the airport, area hotels, and downtown, so you don't necessarily need a car once you're checked in.
  • The drive between Greensboro and High Point is straightforward via local routes or I-85 business connections.
  • Greensboro offers additional dining, breweries, parks, and services if you want options beyond the Market core.

Whether you are a longtime Market veteran or attending for the first time, staying in Idlewood lets you experience both the energy of the industry gathering and the warmth of a real Greensboro neighborhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is High Point Market open to the public?
No. Market is open to the trade only, meaning retailers, designers, manufacturers, and credentialed media, and children under 15 are not permitted on the show floor. Individual exhibitors decide whether to allow access to their own showroom, but there is no general public admission. Attendees must register in advance through the official High Point Market site.
How big is High Point Market compared to other trade shows?
It is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, with more showroom space than any comparable event anywhere else: about 2,000 exhibitors across roughly 180 buildings and more than 11 million square feet in downtown High Point.
How far is Greensboro from High Point Market?
About 17 miles, with a typical drive of 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and which showroom building you're headed to.
Where can I stay near High Point Market besides a hotel?
Greensboro's Idlewood neighborhood, about 20 to 25 minutes from the Market core, offers real short-term rental homes like Your Mom's Place and My Sister's House, hosted personally rather than through a hotel chain or distant management company.
When is the next High Point Market?
Fall 2026 Market runs October 17 to 21. Spring 2027 Market runs April 10 to 14. Dates are set by the High Point Market Authority and confirmed on their official site.
What is the economic impact of High Point Market?
According to a 2018 Duke University study commissioned by the High Point Market Authority, the Market generates $6.73 billion in annual economic impact for North Carolina and supports more than 42,000 jobs statewide, making it the single biggest economic event in the state each year.
Why does Market week affect hotels and rentals across the Triad?
With around 75,000 attendees converging on High Point for five days, the city's own hotel inventory fills quickly. Overflow demand spreads to Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which is why hotels and short-term rentals across the region see a noticeable jump in bookings during Market weeks.
Who runs High Point Market?
The High Point Market Authority, a nonprofit, organizes and promotes the event. It does not own the showroom buildings, which belong to a number of different private property owners, but it coordinates the district, manages transportation, and represents Market to the world.

Come Stay With Us, or Just Come Say Hi

We would love to host you or help you plan your stay. Many guests tell us the combination of professional days in High Point and comfortable nights in Idlewood is their favorite way to do Market. What has been your experience with High Point Market stays, or do you have questions about the area? Share in the comments. We read every one, and we're always glad to make a new friend.

See All Our Greensboro Rentals Say Hello to Joy
With Southern hospitality and probably a little flour on my sleeve,
Joy Watson, Local, Non-Corporate Realtor & Rental Host, Greensboro NC

Sources and Further Reading

Joy Watson

Joy Watson – Owner/Broker at Joy Watson Real Estate. Local Non-Corporate Greensboro Realtor who loves historic homes, helping families, and building community.

https://JoyWatsonRealEstate.com
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