Header: Decorex
Africa’s premier decor and design platform is returning to Gauteng this winter, bringing a significant shift in how we think about our living spaces. Decorex Joburg will take over the Sandton Convention Centre from 30 July to 2 August 2026, offering a massive showcase of over 600 exhibitors, interactive installations, and forward-thinking marketplace solutions.
While its sister event, Decorex Cape Town, sets things in motion in a couple of days from 25 to 28 June at the CTICC, the Johannesburg edition remains a vital commercial engine and inspiration hub for South Africa’s design-savvy homeowners, interior professionals, and trade buyers. Organised by global exhibition leader RX (part of the RELX group), the event has spent three decades shaping the continent’s lifestyle landscape. This year, the focus turns sharply towards human-centric environments that move away from years of hustle culture.
A quiet shift to comfort and soft power
The core theme for Decorex Africa 2026 is “Soft Life”. Announced earlier this year at a Women in Design gathering in Cape Town at the Anatomy Design showroom, this direction champions intentional living, sensory comfort, and quiet balance. Rather than promoting fast-paced production or excessive consumerism, the event highlights how spaces can restore our energy and support daily well-being.
This movement is visually anchored by a specific colour palette for 2026, which leans heavily into grounding earth tones like clay, deep plum, warm coral, and sage green. To keep things unexpected, these gentle neutrals are paired with vivid neons found in the natural world, such as electric lime, ultraviolet, and neon magenta. It is a visual language that aims to speak quietly but with real impact.
Furthermore, this cultural focus extends far beyond South African borders. Decorex Africa has announced a major international partnership with Maison&Objet Paris, establishing South Africa as the official Spotlight Country for the Rising Talent programme in France this September. This collaboration provides local craftspeople with a direct pathway to global visibility and long-term business growth.
Moroccan traditions meet contemporary spaces
A major highlight for the Johannesburg show is the presentation of the 2026 Designer of the Year: LRNCE. Founded in Marrakech in 2013 by Laurence Leenaert and co-run with her husband Ayoub Boualam, this multidisciplinary studio has risen from a boutique ceramics project to an international force in textiles, furniture, and hospitality design.
LRNCE will be exhibiting at both the Cape Town and Johannesburg events. The studio is celebrated for keeping the hand of the maker entirely visible, utilising raw materials like iron, clay, wood, and plaster. By using centuries-old traditional Moroccan artisan techniques to construct modern interior objects, LRNCE directly aligns with the broader event ethos of slow, meaningful making. Visitors can study these unique lifestyle pieces up close on the Sandton exhibition floor.
Defining the objects of our time
Another key feature making its way to the Sandton Convention Centre is the “Ten x Ten” installation, a landmark addition to the 100% Design Africa pavilion. Curated by co-creative directors Garreth van Niekerk and Alan Hayward alongside category specialists like gallery Art Formes and master weaver heritage expert Sinegugu Ngxongo, this feature gathers exactly 100 design objects that define the industry in 2026.
The exhibition maps out ten distinct design categories from floor to ceiling:
- Lighting and textiles
- Furniture and glassware
- Ceramics and basketry
- Tiles and wall coverings
- Stools, pedestals, and heritage craft
The installation environment is framed by large fabric sculptures created by Tshwane-based AI artist Imagine_That, the featured artist for the year. The physical pavilions are arranged in a layout that literally spells out “100%” when viewed from above, reminding visitors that the full story of contemporary craft requires stepping back to see the wider picture. Featured contributors include established names and independent makers such as Thabisa Mjo, Kartell, Willowlamp, Wiid Design, Romo Fabrics, Glo Lighting, and Robin Sprong Wallpapers.
Immersive features and professional opportunities
The four-day event is packed with practical experiences alongside product sourcing. The venue will house ten design-forward restaurants and twenty fully immersive installations focusing on lighting, architecture, and furniture. Visitors can explore updated bathroom and kitchen concepts, participate in hands-on DIY renovation workshops, or watch culinary experts in interactive live cooking studios.
For industry professionals, the gathering serves as a critical business accelerator. It offers a structured space to source new solutions, locate reliable regional suppliers, and network with potential business partners. The trade programme is entirely complimentary for vetted trade members who register online before the doors open.
Event details
Decorex Joburg 2026 looks to deliver a comprehensive view of where African design is heading, trading relentless productivity for spaces that prioritise care and comfort. Whether you are looking to update a single room, planning a full home renovation, or scouting the latest regional talent for commercial projects, this exhibition provides an essential snapshot of modern craftsmanship. Tickets are available online now at a reduced rate compared to buying them at the door.
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dates and Times: 30 July to 2 August 2026, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily (Thursday to Sunday)
