Header: Stockholm Furniture Fair
The year started a while ago, and some of the most promising and interesting furniture design fairs have already rocked the world of design, but many more are yet to come. D5 has already covered some this year, such as Maison et Objet, Salone del Mobile Milano, and Stockholm Furniture Fair, so some of the fairs shouldn’t come off as a surprise to our readers (or to any design aficionado, really).
Nonetheless, sharing the complete calendar of the most sought-after furniture design fairs for the rest of the year is, in our opinion, beneficial for everyone: who knows if some collaborations will come by or if you’ll finally find the sofa you’ve been looking for? Planning out where to be throughout the year can be hard, but knowing where and when design is going to be celebrated can make things easier.
These fairs are major platforms for showcasing the latest trends and innovations in furniture and interior design, serving as a bridge between designers and the international public. Enthusiasts from all over the world are sure to be found here, which offers great networking opportunities for designers and the chance to bring more attention to furniture design in the international design scene.
For this reason, D5 is covering the whole gig: Europe, America, and Asia. Design lovers can travel the world while chasing design around. Here are 2024’s top furniture design fairs, see you there.
Salone del Mobile Milano (April 16–21)
The Salone del Mobile Milano, also known as Milan Design Week, is a prestigious event in the design world where visitors can appreciate the latest creations in the realms of furniture and interior design. Created in 1961, the original goal was to promote Italian craftsmanship and share it with the world, but it eventually evolved to showcase works from international designers.
In April, Milan receives thousands of visitors who all share one passion: design. Their huge exhibition showcases everything from modern furniture to classics, all within a wide range of prices that have high-quality as a shared characteristic. Fuorisalone, an extra event of sorts, brings the fair to the streets of Milan, hosting a series of exhibitions across the city’s many neighbourhoods, all with their own theme and vibe. This is not only a great place to get inspired and show your work, but also to network and possibly start collaborations.
Stockholm Furniture Fair (February 6–10)
The Stockholm Furniture Fair is the place to be when looking for the best in Scandinavian design. The fair embraces the Nordic style through its exhibitions and vibe, as most designs are bound to be minimalist and sustainable. From furniture to lighting, designers and brands from all over the world get to share their passion for design and increase their network.
The main exhibition receives an additional event this week, New Ventures, where emerging designers are given a spotlight. Alongside this, the fair is also complemented by the Stockholm Design Week, which opens up the world of furniture design to many other realms of design through conferences, workshops, and events. Such a multidisciplinary event is sure to help raise awareness among designers and foster innovation, so everyone benefits. Visitors are also invited to meet designers and their latest creations, blurring the line between the public and creative minds.
International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) (May 19–21)
Cutting-edge design is synonymous with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, or ICFF, a furniture fair (as the name suggests) held this May at NYC’s Javits Center. Part of the NYCxDESIGN festival, this fair not only rounds up top designers and architects from all over the world but also gives the public a glimpse of the latest in modern furniture.
ICFF hosts seminars and panel discussions led by industry leaders, such as Lindsey Adelman and Lee Broom, dissecting all there is to know about the latest trends and what the future might hold for the world of design. Networking is a big part of this fair, so exhibitors have the chance to expand their businesses and get all the inspiration needed to further bring our homes to the next level.
Design Shanghai (March 20–24)
Design Shanghai is Asia’s go-to design event, where visitors and designers alike can find a wide range of furniture pieces designed after the latest trends and innovations. This fair is held annually in March, bringing the design world to the bustling Chinese city and fostering a much-needed bridge between the Eastern and Western worlds—all thanks to design.
Designers from all walks of life come to Shanghai to present their latest work in furniture and lighting design. The fair is divided into several sections, such as contemporary and luxury, collectible and classic, kitchen and bathroom, materials, and sustainability. Modern world problems are given several solutions, all of them innovative in nature.
Exhibitions, installations, events, and conferences make up Design Shanghai, making this fair an essential event on any designer’s calendar. As technology gets more developed and its usage in design increases, this fair can only become more important each year, so this one is definitely a must.
Maison&Objet (January 18–22)
Maison&Objet Paris takes place at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, marking its 30th anniversary this year. TECH EDEN, this year’s theme, is all about integrating technology and its constant evolution with design and with our living spaces. Sustainability and creativity are at the forefront of this fair, which are concepts that haven’t been as important as nowadays, as nature takes a bigger part in the exhibitions.
Individuals are also given a special spotlight at this fair, such as Mathieu Lehanneur, this year’s Designer of the Year, as a way to promote innovation and foster collaborations between the many designers who will be making an appearance. By offering networking chances and sharing unique insights on how nature and technology can be blended together, Maison&Objet can be considered one of the most important fairs of the year.
IMM Cologne (January 14–20)
IMM Cologne is held at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, and it hosts more than 1250 exhibitors, making it one of the most comprehensive fairs of the year. Around 127 thousand visitors are expected to visit the exhibitions, giving designers the chance to see their pieces shipped off to the many ports of the world.
Visitors will also have the chance to meet designers and suppliers from all over the world, making IMM Colonel the perfect spot for widening one’s network and getting in touch with new trends and solutions. Forums, conferences, and events are also on the calendar, so aesthetics are sure not to overshadow curiosity and knowledge.
High Point Market (April 23–27)
High Point Market, a furniture fair located in High Point, North Carolina, promotes design and furniture deals in its 11.5 million square feet of showspace. This insane magnitude gives the fair an exciting international touch, as you can get to know what is going on around the world without having to leave North Carolina.
Décor, lighting fixtures, and different kinds of furniture are the focal points of High Point Market, shown in all of our favourite styles and in the ones of the future. Seminars and social events also help promote the creative minds of our day, connecting them with one another while also sharing design insights with the public.
Guided tours are a unique feature of this fair, as they offer a curated experience of the exhibition to the visitors who request them. This not only helps designers be teamed up with their desired audience, but also makes it possible for visitors to find at least one piece they can cherish at their own house forever.
London Design Festival (September 14–22)
The London Design Festival is held in September when visitors and designers alike have soaked up summer’s inspirations and are ready to take on new challenges. One of the most visited design events in the world, this is the perfect fair to build networks and discover collaboration opportunities. The fair turns the city into the design capital for one week, as London’s many districts are turned into huge exhibitions, each with its own unique theme.
Past editions have seen an influx of more than 600 thousand visitors who all share the love of design, making it the number one place to guess what the next year’s trends will look like and who are the designers we mustn’t lose sight of. The exhibitions are interactive and make the visitors feel like they have more than an onlooker role, which is part of the fair’s magic.
Tokyo Design Week (October 29–November 3)
Tokyo Design Week shakes Tokyo up for one week straight, lighting up the city with exhibitions and events all celebrating design—both Japanese and international. Design and its evolution are dissected here, as technology and innovation take on a big role in the exhibitions.
This fair is part of World Design Week, which not only puts Japan on the map when it comes to design capitals but also widens the scope of designers to watch out for. Talks with industry leaders from all over the world further complement this international vibe. Visitors and designers are introduced to niche styles and discuss the problems of the modern world, making the event a conglomerate of like-minded people who strive to use design to better the world.
Singapore Design Week (March 8–17)
Singapore Design Week introduces visitors to the city while also giving designers the chance to share their designs, technologies, and solutions with the world. The fair’s circuits take one through the National Design Centre to the must-see spots of Singapore, such as Marina Bay and Orchard. Diverse and with eyes for the future, the fair gives designers the chance to leave their mark on three main exhibitions: Design Futures, Design Marketplace, and Design Impact.
Conversations and workshops are also part of the programme, opening up design to anyone curious about it and introducing designers to the world. Networking and collaborations are some of the things you can expect from this fair, plus being in such a beautiful country makes attending this fair, even if only next year, a no-brainer.