Q&A: How Decorex 2026 is supporting the design community

Decorex returns to Olympia London this October for its 48^th edition. What’s different this year?

There is so much for interior designers to discover at this year’s Decorex. We have over 280 exhibitors which cover a really wide range of brands and sectors. There are established names designers have relied on for years, like Armac Martin, Soho Lighting and Sofas & Stuff, alongside new exhibitors including Atkin & Thyme, Rachel Dein, Sterox Studio and Tracy Kendall Wallpaper. We also have Making Spaces, a packed Design Talks programme which designers will be able to learn so much from, and two new designer collaborations that have completely transformed the VIP Lounge and Decorex Bar. Designers come to Decorex to find everything they need for their next project in one place, and I’m proud of how well the show does that.

How has the show evolved to meet the changing needs of interior designers?

Decorex has always been a place for designers to discover exceptional products and meet the people behind them, but it’s the way the industry engages with the show that has evolved. Today, designers are looking for much more than product sourcing. They want opportunities to learn, build relationships, exchange ideas and practical insights that will support their businesses as well as their creative work. We’ve shaped the 2026 edition around those needs, while remaining true to what has always made Decorex special: quality, craftsmanship and a carefully curated mix of established brands and emerging talent. 

Making Spaces has become a fixture of Decorex. What makes it an important part of the show?

Making Spaces embodies so much of what Decorex stands for and it has grown hugely in popularity. It gives visitors the opportunity to experience craftsmanship first-hand by meeting makers, watching demonstrations and gaining a deeper understanding of the skills and processes behind exceptional design. In an increasingly digital world, there is something incredibly appealing about seeing materials transformed through craft and hearing directly from the artisans themselves. This year 14 makers were chosen from 200 entries by a committee of influential figures from UK craft and design, so the standard is exceptionally high – it’s always such a popular part of the show.

Claudia Dorsch is designing the VIP Lounge this year. What can you tell us about it?

Working with Claudia is a real coup for us. Chalet interiors is a design area she specialises in, and her concept, ‘Back to the Future – The Chalet Reimagined’, is her view of where chalet design is heading. It brings together the understated glamour of the 1970s ski scene and the architecture of alpine buildings. So, we are building a ski chalet inside Olympia! There will be a bar and dining area on one side, and a mountain terrace with a stunning  DJ booth on the other. Once they enter, I think visitors will find it hard to believe they’re still at Olympia. It’s an immersive space designed to make you stay longer than you planned.

The Decorex Bar is also being transformed. What is ‘A Seat at the Table’?

We’re so pleased to be working with Alex Dauley and Grant Pierrus of AEVEN on this, and the innovative idea behind their design is one I really like. Designers, architects, makers and suppliers all work in the same industry, so everyone should have a seat at the same table. So that’s what they’ve built; one long communal table running the length of the space, with individually chosen chairs around it, each one contributed by a brand, maker or designer. In fact, the furniture, materials, textiles, lighting and decorative pieces have all been contributions made by a range of brands, so the installation becomes a part of the story. 

The Design Talks programme has a packed schedule. What shouldn’t designers miss?

This year's programme has been developed to address some of the questions many designers are facing, from communicating their value and winning new business to growing a studio while maintaining a strong creative identity. We've brought together voices with a wide range of experiences because we wanted the conversations to feel honest, relevant and practical. We have a strong mix of speakers this year, from industry pioneers such as Linda Boronkay, Suzy Hoodless, Sophie Robinson and Nicola Harding, to newer names we can see establishing themselves as creative visionaries. There are two BIID sessions, one on how collaboration across the design community can grow a business and one on how the industry can work together to shape perceptions of interior design. The Sustainability Space returns with sessions on responsible design, from local materials and skills to healthier indoor environments. Design Circles is back with new roundtable conversations on topics including wellbeing and the smart home.

Finally, what would you encourage BIID members to prioritise during their visit?

I’d say that exploring what the show has to offer beyond your original agenda is key. Visit brands you may not know, attend a talk outside your area of expertise and join a Design Circles discussion where you can meet fellow designers. This is how you have valuable conversations and experiences, and Decorex is designed exactly for this. I think it’s one of the main reasons so many designers return year after year. 

Decorex 2026 takes place at Olympia London from 11^th-14^th October.  Visit the BIID Member Area for an exclusive discount code.