What we're looking forward to at Decorex this year
Every year, thousands of members of the design community come together at Olympia London for Decorex, one of the best events of the year for finding interior inspiration and fresh design ideas.
The vast, airy space of Olympia London becomes the setting for dozens of beautiful stands by designers and makers, providing a friendly, collaborative environment to see new products and impressive displays. Stands are carefully and ingeniously put together by their exhibitor, making them perfect places to contemplate the art of decorating a small room.
This year, Decorex will host over 12,500 design professionals and 280 exhibitors, as well as an exciting talks programme and ample opportunities for networking. It will also welcome more categories than ever before, including outdoor furniture, home technology, architectural detailing and decorative accessories.
As Sam Fisher, Decorex event director, explains ‘For almost 50 years, Decorex has set the standard for excellence, bringing together the brightest minds, the finest craftsmanship, the latest trends and the most innovative brands. Decorex’s longevity proves its enduring appeal and is here to stay as the UK’s ultimate destination for design professionals.’
With so much to choose from, the House & Garden team share what they are most looking forward to…
The talks
The thought-provoking talks at Decorex each year are always a highlight, a chance to learn from experts in the industry about a range of topics. Across the four-day programme, you will have the opportunity to hear from over 100 guest speakers. Our team is particularly looking forward to The Empty Nest Redesigned — Lifestyle Meets Interior Design, from 1:00 - 1:45 pm on Wednesday, 15th October. Moderated by Busola Evans, this talk will explore how interior design can respond to major life transitions, such as the empty nest phase, to become a powerful tool for personal expression. It will include guest speakers such as interior designers Alex Dauley, Laura Hammett and Toni Black, along with the co-founder of Create Academy, Julian Parmiter.
This year's speakers will also include Henry Prideaux, Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay and Nicola Harding, all of whom are featured in this year's list of Top 100 interior designers and architects.
Decorex is a great place to see new launches from across the interior design industry.
Sofa.com (Booth H10 ) will be unveiling the Sloane Modular Sofa: a timeless, versatile modular sofa that's ideal for open-plan spaces; lights&lamps (Booth F30) will be launching a new refined and versatile collection of pendants, chandeliers, wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps; Roger Oates Design (Booth B33) be debuting the Venetian Flatweave Collection and Linwood (Booth C34) will be showcasing its latest collection of Maru linens, Omega IV velvets, Pluto plains and Titania embroideries.
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Live weaving, marquetry, ceramics, metalwork and other craft demonstrations will be taking place during Decorex; see how textile designer and weaver Maria Sigma makes her captivating textiles and artworks, and watch CD Jackfield with their impressive pottery skills.
Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́ and Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. will be taking charge of the design of the 2025 VIP Lounge. Always an exciting showcase for an interior designer's style, the VIP Lounge has previously seen designs by De Rosee Sa and Max Rollitt, making it a marvellous destination for guests and journalists at the event. This year, the team at Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. will be styling a space inspired by the historic Paris Olympia Hippodrome of 1886 and Bertram Mills’ legendary circus at Olympia Kensington, merging historical grandeur with contemporary innovation. Unlike previous years, the lounge will unfold across five distinctive rooms, each evoking a different moment. This will include the hush before a performance, the intimacy of backstage, and the golden haze of a spotlight. The space will invite guests into an experience that feels both luxurious and transportive through its use of layered materials, hand-finished details and a rich, theatrical palette.
And of course, the Decorex Cafe and Bar. Lucy Mayers of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler will be curating the bar this year, which will pay homage to Colefax & Fowler's timeless elegance and renowned classic English appeal. This year, the Decorex Cafe and Bar is in its new central location within the Grand Hall to provide visitors with an additional area to work and relax.
With over 280 exhibitors, where to start? We asked our team, and these are the stands they have on their hit lists.
Dominic Schuster (Stand: D22), with its artisan antiqued and gilded mirror glass, Knots Rugs (Stand: E37) with its elegant and eclectic rug designs, Bert Frank (Stand: F40 and E38), with its exquisite lights.
We'll also be poring over fabrics at Imogen Heath Design (Stand D26) and Ian Mankin (Booth D23), and handpainted lampshades and lamp bases created by the artist Natasha Mann (Booth G76). Last but not least, we'll be keeping an eye out for the rattan tables and chairs by Maison Gatti (Booth H20), which has a century-old history of creating elegant furniture pieces.
Decorex will be at Olympia London, October 12-15. You can book tickets online here.
