Decorex 2024: where global design trends and sustainability converge in London

London is the place to be in October for the interior design industry. In autumn, the city comes alive with events, launches and exhibitions attracting designers, manufacturers, buyers and specifiers from across the industry to catalyse new trends and innovation through in-person interactions and networking. It’s an unparalleled experience of discovery, yet it can of course be overwhelming to navigate – from mapping to scheduling, to making sure that a time and travel investment pays off with rewarding connections.

For the broadest cross-section of global interior design in one place, Decorex is a non-negotiable destination for design professionals. Hosted at Olympia Events, London, from 6–9 October 2024 for its 46th edition, the high-end interiors event brings together displays and installations from over 280 international brands across furniture, fabrics, lighting, craft, kitchens, tiles and more. Visitors can take a long-view or a deep-dive into the latest product launches and trends, hopping with ease between demonstrations and the creative talks programme featuring 85 expert speakers exploring topics from sustainability to AI – and that’s all under one iconic roof, no umbrellas or frantic taxi rides required.

While Decorex is certainly expansive, its offering is proudly handpicked and curated with a focus on quality and sustainability, helping professionals to navigate the energetic design scene. The line-up of brands balances familiar faces with fresh blood, established and emerging markets, because Decorex believes that it’s here in the cross-section of colliding ideas and visions that the best inspiration and opportunities can be sparked. (Brand highlights this year include Heirlooms, Villa Rugs, COAT Paints, Hendel & Hendel, Officine Gullo). Visitors can also expect to experience designer collaborations as they explore the show – there are artisanal installations by The New Craftmakers, Ellen Merchant’s recurring upbeat prints, a colour story by sustainable paint brand YesColours in the VIP Lounge, and a refuel at the iconic central Bar designed by BradyWilliams is recommended.

New this year is the launch of the Decorex Sustainability Awards shining a worthy spotlight on ecologically-minded products across four categories including ‘Innovative Design’ and ‘Driving Social Change’. It’s a layer of curation necessary for today’s climate, and a theme that continues with the Cleaner Ocean Project competition for which primary school children have been invited to design lighting using plastic salvaged from beach cleanups in collaboration with Soho Lighting – the winning young designer will attend the show as a VIP and see their design come to life through 3D printing.

Sustainability is a considered and holistic focus, from the show floor to the behind-the-scenes operations of the event itself. In 2023, Decorex launched its Sustainability Task Force, formed by environmentally-friendly brands including Edward Bulmer, Haines Collection, Holmes Bespoke, Naturalmat, Persona Abode, Soho Lighting, Studio Suss, Bluepatch and B/ABLE. Not only does this task force judge the awards, it also informs the talks programme and workshops about which visitors can find out more at the dedicated Sustainability Lounge in association with The Green Room. Visitors can rest-assured that the show is powered by 100% renewable electricity, saving an estimated 21.5 tonnes of CO2, and thanks to Decorex’s Better Stands initiative, every structure is reusable across the event.

At 46 years old, Decorex has been in the business of sharing ideas, curating quality and creating community for nearly half a century. Anticipating over 13,000 visitors and over 200 media attendees this year, it continues to prove the power of collective networking for innovation. Yet it’s also not resting on these laurels – bold new initiatives focussed on sustainability show that Decorex is an evolving platform interested in challenging its community to think about the design of our collective future, encouraging not only beautiful interiors, yet ethical supply chains, material innovation, youth education and positive investment too. If that’s a challenge that you’re ready to take up, registration is open online now.

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