Decorex 2026: My Styling and Design Takeaways
Photo credit: All photography Sandra van Aalst except the fragrance stand courtesy of Decorex
After two full days at Decorex, held at Kensington Olympia in London, I came away buzzing with ideas to share and, of course, try in my own home. If you’re not familiar with the show, it’s now in its fifth decade and brings together interior brands spanning everything from bespoke furniture and richly textured fabrics to exquisite pendant lights, alongside artisans creating decorative pieces before your eyes.
The whole show was a feast of inspiration. At the main entrance, visitors were greeted by larger-than-life flower sculptures and music from a live pianist. There was attention to detail throughout, with hand-drawn flowers by artist Claire Coles appearing across the signage and thoughtfully designed and styled stands filling the exhibition halls.
A space that completely won me over was The Chalet, the VIP lounge designed by Claudia Dorsch, which captured the warmth and rituals of alpine life. From the tactile fur-lined walls at the entrance to the spectacular fire pit pictured above, every detail contributed to its richly layered, cocooning atmosphere. Cloud-like pendants, striped deckchairs, and paintings of snowy scenes sat alongside alpine skis and other objects, all offering references to mountain living. Beyond the design, it was a reminder that interiors are as much about how they make us feel as how they look.
The bar was another design highlight, a place to connect with other industry professionals and design enthusiasts, with a mix of chairs around the vast U-shaped table. The space was enveloped in drapes, with wine-toned shelving showcasing work by the artisans demonstrating their craft in the Making Spaces area. I was also drawn to the Homeplay stand for its immersive three-minute lighting experience in a beautifully designed beach house. Here you could sit, sip a drink, and watch the lighting recreate the movement of sunlight through the room, changing its atmosphere throughout the day.
If you missed Decorex this year, I’ve chosen examples across a range of categories to give you a flavour of the show, along with the design and styling ideas that stood out to me and that you could interpret in your own home.
The Design Circles stand - a new feature at Decorex where conversations on interiors take place among design professionals.
My styling and design takeaways at a glance
Chalet-inspired style: Rich textures, reclaimed natural materials and room dividers for a cosy environment.
Fabric beyond upholstery: Covering mirror frames and shelving, as well as trims that add definition and detail.
Considered bedroom furniture: Connecting headboards, stools and other pieces through shape and materials.
Layered kilims and woven patterns: Bringing colour, texture and global interiors into a scheme.
Repeated motifs: Through furniture, art and decorative surfaces.
Warm, earthy paint colours: Colours for the season.
Portable lamps: To bring in light in a stylish way on any surface.
Artisan craftsmanship: Choosing handmade pieces with individuality and a story behind them.
Fragrance in the home: Using scent to help establish a room’s atmosphere.
Thoughtfully styled shelves: Balancing books, objects and space around them.
Pantries: Making practical storage part of the decorative scheme.
Personalised lighting: Bespoke lamps with playful, jewel-like details.
Outdoor rooms: Giving garden furniture and planters the same consideration as indoor pieces.
Rugs as the starting point: Building a room’s palette around a rug.
Decorative tiles: Introducing artistry for tiling and display.
Heritage meets contemporary: Mixing traditional prints with contemporary furniture and accessories.
The Chalet - bring a touch into your own home
The VIP lounge, Back to the Future - The Chalet Reimagined, was sensational, and I loved every corner of Claudia Dorsche’s design. Pictured here is a seating nook cleverly separated by a bobble curtain, creating a cocooning effect. Behind the banquette, House of Hackney's Plantasia wallpaper brings the forest indoors, while deep green velvet, fur cushions and a reindeer skin add tactile layers. Artwork featuring skiers adds another nod to mountain life.
Styling/design takeaway: Create a chalet-inspired seating area with rich, tactile fabrics, natural materials and a touch of fur or sheepskin for a cosy, welcoming interior.
Lighting at Corston - portable lamps to bring light to any surface
Corston showcased its first-ever portable lamp, pictured here, with a choice of shades. The team explained that portable lamps have three brightness settings, but your choice of shade also makes a difference. A translucent shade allows more light through, whereas an opaque one has a softer glow.
Styling/design takeaway: Portable lamps that are rechargeable are my favourite styling pieces as, without any cables or leads, they can be placed anywhere from the centre of a dining table to high up on the middle of a shelf. To find out more, check out my guide to portable lamps: Stylish Cordless Designs to Light Up Your Home.
Beyond upholstery at Sofa.com
I popped by Sofa.com to take a look at their latest designs, always beautifully upholstered in quality fabrics, but noticed that the fabric wasn’t only reserved for sofas and chairs. The vast mirror pictured here has an upholstered frame and, if you look carefully, the shelves are also fabric-covered.
Styling/design takeaway: Think beyond furniture and soft furnishings when introducing texture to a room. Upholstering frames and shelves is a way to soften the harsh lines and would look particularly lovely in a bedroom.
Mixing greens and blues at Birdie Fortescue
Birdie Fortescue’s stand always feels fresh and colourful, and meeting Birdie herself was an added bonus. The team were keen to show the sofas that are made sustainably, but what caught my eye design-wise, and what Birdie does so well, was the combination of greens and blues. This is shown on the stand pictured here, where the blue cushions and a throw sit beautifully alongside the green headboard, rug and table.
Styling/design takeaway: Don’t shy away from teaming these two colours in different shades. Mix in pattern and balance them with white or neutral tones for a fresh, cohesive scheme.
Design talks in the Decorex theatre
Along with the exhibitor stands, Decorex has a Talks Theatre where panels of industry experts discuss topics including designing for wellbeing, high-end to high-street interiors, and building a career in interior design. I attended ‘Beyond Beautiful: Why nature and nurture are the future foundations of healthier homes’, which explored how thoughtful design, material choices, and craftsmanship can create spaces that support wellbeing, reduce environmental impact, and deliver lasting value for both people and the planet. There was also a Sustainability Space hosting equally interesting talks.
Carrying a motif through the room at Hyde House
I featured last year’s Hyde House stand in my Decorex preview because it was one of my visual favourites, rich with colour, pattern, artwork and design. I was intrigued to discover how the wallpaper design could also appear on a table and lampshade. Founder Joanna explained that their process uses a specialist resin finish they developed, allowing a chosen wallpaper to be incorporated into furniture such as tables or cabinets.
Styling/design takeaway: Repeating a motif through from wallpaper to other interior pieces works so well as it creates a visual connection.
Warm earthy tones at COAT
COAT had built a series of room sets on its stand, showing off its palette of muted shades for 2027 so visitors could get a feel for how the colours look in a lived-in space. Its latest shades, including the warm brown pictured here, draw on colours from the past, reimagined for today. The brand also makes every can to order, helping to reduce waste.
Styling/design takeaway: Choose your wall colour with your furniture, artwork and accessories in mind. Notice how this warm brown provided a backdrop for the wooden console and colourful flowers.
Layering Kilims at Andrew Martin
I visited Andrew Martin’s stand, known for its globally inspired interiors. Built around a tree with a canopy of golden autumn leaves, the display looked stunning, with kilim designs layered across a rug, ottoman and cushions, alongside a large white corner sofa wrapping around three sides of the stand. The whole look was set off by a wall mural designed for Andrew Martin by Kit Kemp.
Styling/design takeaway: For a global look, layer different kilim designs through rugs, cushions, ottomans or wall hangings, using plain upholstery to give the patterns room to shine.
Bringing craftsmanship to the show at Making Spaces
Between the two exhibition halls in an area called Making Spaces, where a group of outstanding artisans demonstrated their craftsmanship and creativity throughout the show. Pictured here is Zoe Wilson, a sculptor who hand-carves geometric designs into British stone. One of her limited-edition casts was chosen by the designers of the Decorex bar and displayed on the shelving pictured below.
Styling/design takeaway: Bringing craft into your home not only supports artisans, but also adds individuality through the maker’s skill, materials and attention to detail.
Stylish Shelving at The Decorex Bar
The bar was designed by AEVEN co-owners Alexandria Dauley and Grant Pierrus as a space for connection and communication within the design industry. Many exhibitors contributed to the scheme, including sculptor Zoe Wilson. The shelves in the corners of the bar really caught my eye, displaying a wonderful mixture of ceramic dishes, framed artwork, a lamp and books, including Zoe’s hand-carved gold-leaf, geometric sculpture.
Styling/design takeaway: Use your shelves for more than books; display your favourite pieces, varying their heights and shapes, and allow some space for each piece so it can be appreciated.
Building a scheme around fabrics at ILIV
ILIV designs gorgeous fabrics and I chose their stand to illustrate how plains, florals and geometric patterns can work well together through a shared palette. Based in Lancashire, the historic home of British textiles, the brand offers fabrics spanning a wide range of interior styles.
Styling/design takeaway: Don’t be afraid to mix florals with stripes, checks and other patterns across upholstery and soft furnishings. Vary the scale of the designs and balance them with richly textured plains in tones found in the prints.
Making lighting personal at Suzy Dallas with her Jewel Collection
Suzy’s stand was the first I stepped onto, drawn in by the eye-catching jewel-like gems on a range of lamps which were part of her Jewel Collection. Clients can commission a bespoke floor, bar or nautical lamp with their own choice of gems paired with the metal and cord of their choice. Inspired by her love of jewellery, Suzy combines her experience as a lighting and interior designer to create these beautiful statement pieces.
Styling/design takeaway: Treat a lamp as a decorative focal point. Personalise by adding a different shade or decorative trim.
Giving the bedroom a considered feel at Atkin and Thyme
I can’t resist a bedroom setting and was particularly impressed with the display on the Atkin and Thyme stand, where furniture and upholstery complement one another for a cohesive look. The brand has collaborated with Linwood Fabrics for 10 years, bringing together beautifully made furniture upholstered in luxurious textiles.
Styling/design takeaways: For a pulled-together bedroom, try to connect pieces through shape, material or colour, as shown here, where the palette of earthy tones flows from the upholstered stool and headboard to the bed linen and artwork.
Making a feature of the pantry at Hingham Furniture
I recently featured one of Hingham’s integrated bars in my home bar article, so I wanted to pop by and see their latest kitchens. I loved the kitchen on show - its materials, palette and styling, but was particularly drawn to the beautifully designed open pantry, where a stack of Heinz baked beans proved that everyday items can look stylish when thoughtfully arranged.
Styling/design takeaway: Make your pantry feel as considered as your kitchen. Declutter, decant cereals and cooking ingredients into large jars, and add plants, as Hingham has here in both spaces to bring greenery to the shelves.
Stylish cushions with trims at Onacara
Cushions are among my favourite styling pieces, so I just had to stop by at Onacara’s stand. I met founders Aysem and Lucy, who launched the brand in 2022, and was impressed by their attention to detail. Richly textured fabrics, contrasting backs and decorative trims - from tailored piping to double fringes - give each cushion unique detail. I also like their curated sets, so you can pull together a stylish seating area in an instant.
Styling/design takeaway: Trims can really enhance a cushion and give it a more considered finish. Look at the cushions you already have and think about adding a fringe or braid for that extra layer of detail.
Rugs as the first choice to anchor your furniture
A rug is the first piece I choose when designing a room as it helps establish the colour palette and grounds the furniture, so I always like to visit rug companies at every show. The colours and textures at Riviere caught my eye, drawing me onto the stand to explore designs that fit both classic and contemporary schemes.
Styling/design takeaway: When redesigning a room, choose a rug that reflects the palette you have in mind, then reintroduce its colours in your soft furnishings, accessories and artwork to pull the scheme together.
Wallcoverings for every room at ASRIN wallprints
An interior show wouldn’t be complete without wallcoverings, and with so many gorgeous options, it takes something special to stand out. I was particularly drawn to the designs and textures pictured here from ASRIN wallprints. What impressed me most was learning that suitable finishes allow these decorative murals to be used inside a shower.
Styling/design takeaway: You can now be really creative in a bathroom with moisture-resistant wallcoverings. For use directly inside a shower, choose a wallcovering specifically designed for wet areas and the correct protective finish.
Furniture makers from Ukraine
I must admit I was particularly curious to discover the Ukrainian furniture on display, partly because of a personal connection. As a host mother to the lovely Anya, I’ve seen her creativity first-hand, which made me keen to meet some of the country’s designers and makers. I met Vartanush Petrosova, one of the owners, who showed me the beautifully lit home bar. The stand also featured biomineral wall panels, colourful furniture and wooden furniture with vibrant upholstery - all full of fresh ideas.
Fragrance as part of the interior
Interiors are about more than just how a room looks: texture and fragrance also contribute to the overall feel of a space. One of my favourite home fragrance brands comes from Italy, so I headed straight to Logevy, admiring the beautiful bottles and sophisticated packaging. The company specialises in home fragrance diffusers and sprays, with each fragrance created to offer a unique sensory experience.
Styling/design takeaway: Alongside choosing an attractive bottle to display, think about the atmosphere you want to create then introduce the scent through diffusers, sprays or scented candles.
Planters for outside and indoors
I’m mad about vases, vessels, planters and pots, so I had to stop when I spotted this selection of decorative plant containers at Capital Garden Products. The designs ranged from classic urns to more contemporary shapes, and although they look convincingly like stone or metal, they were actually made from lightweight fibreglass, making them much easier to reposition around the home or garden.
Styling/design takeaway: Consider using outdoor planters indoors, particularly for larger plants like the bird of paradise or indoor trees, where smaller pots can look out of proportion. If they have a hole at the bottom, place your plant on a tray so any excess water won’t end up on your floor.
A table centre piece at Alchemy Tiles
I met founder Mel Chambers on the Alchemy stand, who was awarded Decorex’s Best Newcomer. Her studio is renowned for reviving a rare 13th-century encaustic inlay technique, with every tile carved entirely by hand. Along with tiles for a splashback, Mel showed me circular pieces that slotted together to use as a centrepiece on a dining table - ideal for when you want to serve from hot dishes or as a decorative piece for when the table is not in use.
Styling/design takeaway: Don’t leave your dining table empty when not in use as it’s the perfect place for styling with portable lamps, stone vases and ceramics like the ones pictured here from Alchemy Tiles.
Heritage prints with a contemporary twist at the V&A stand
The V&A has a rich diversity of designs spanning centuries, eras and cultures. Its collaboration with 1838 Wallcoverings takes inspiration from historic carpets, silk kimonos, chintz and Chinese hand-painted wallpapers, reinterpreting them into more contemporary colourways.
Styling/design takeaways: Pair a traditional-style print with contemporary pieces for a rich interior with character, without making the whole scheme feel period.
Furnish your outdoor area like your interior
Outdoor areas are increasingly becoming as thoughtfully furnished as our interiors. Having written an article on outdoor furniture, I’m always on the lookout for interesting pieces for next year’s feature. Everything about Mediterrazza impressed me, from the soft shapes of the furniture and wood detailing to the wrought iron and finishing touches provided by the cushions.
Styling/design takeaway: Treat your outdoor area like another room in your home, choosing quality, well-made furniture and cushions designed for outdoor use that not only look good but will survive the elements so you can enjoy them for years to come.
LET’S SUM UP
I hope this article has given you a feel for Decorex and some ideas to try in your own home. It’s a must-see for interior designers and industry professionals, but also a wonderful place for design enthusiasts and homeowners to find fresh inspiration for styling and decorating their homes. Do save the date for next year: 10-13 October 2027. For more information visit the Decorex website here.
If you enjoyed this feature, you might like to read my other show round-ups for 2026:
I'm Sandra, an interior stylist, writer, photographer and Sunday Times bestselling author. Having worked freelance for magazines including Elle Decoration and House Beautiful, in my blog posts I share inspiring home tours, practical styling ideas and decorating tips to help you create a home that feels beautiful, personal and pulled together.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, and give you highlights from the interior shows, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
If you’d like to find out more about me click here
