Header: Courtesy of Reed Exhibitions (Pty) Ltd.
There is a softer mood coming through interiors, and Decorex Cape Town 2026 is building its next edition around it. Under the theme “The Soft Life”, the fair will invite visitors to look at homes through comfort, warmth, light, texture and colour.
Uncovering “The Soft Life”
The idea is simple enough: rooms should feel good to live in. That means materials with more warmth, intentional lighting, colours that don’t feel overbearing in daily life and furniture chosen for use as much as for style. The key is combining the basis of wellness with design, no matter the room, resident or aesthetic.
Welcome to Decorex Cape Town
The show, a middle ground between a trade fair and a public design event, will bring together interiors, décor, architecture, furniture, lighting, lifestyle and home design at CTICC1 in Cape Town. A homeowner can come in looking for tiles, lighting or a kitchen idea, while an architect or interior designer can use the same floor to meet suppliers, compare materials and look at new products. Students, buyers, decorators, developers and hospitality teams all have their own routes and interests combined at Decorex.
Around 250 to 300-plus exhibitors are expected, which means that visitors can expect room ideas, product launches, textiles, finishes, accessories, lighting installations and new work from South African and emerging designers.
The main spots
This year, the main areas of interest in the domestic sphere are “The Soft Life Kitchen” by Nuumu, “The Bedroom Project” and “The Kitchen Project” presented by Cosentino. “100% Light” gives lighting its own spotlight, while “100% Local, 100% Fresh” and “Ten x Ten – 100 Best Designs of 2026” present visitors with the best in South African design.
Food and rest areas are also part of the event, which are the best place for networking: “The Bubbly Bar” by Happinest, “100% Restaurant”, “KLAY Bistro” by KLAY and “Rialheim Café” give visitors places to pause between stands, while “The Soft Life VIP Lounge” and “Lexus Lounge” provide an intimate space for conversations that have a slightly more serious tone.
The talks programme, “Future Talks”, brings in a more professional pace as it adds context to the products on display. Instead of only seeing a new surface, fitting or lighting system on a stand, visitors can hear how people in the industry are thinking about materials, hospitality spaces, retail, craft, wellness and technology. Some sessions may also count towards CPD credits, depending on the final programme.
Note-worthy details
For anyone planning a visit, Decorex Cape Town 2026 runs from 25 to 28 June at CTICC1 on Lower Long Street. Dynamic in its offer, the event is perfect for anyone with an interest in design, be it a homeowner planning changes, a designer looking for suppliers or anyone who wants to spend a day looking at what is happening in interiors now.
