Watching the fair evolve from the inside has been fascinating over the past 9 years, and 2026 is their boldest leap yet. So what’s new for DOMOTEX 2026? DOMOTEX 2026 signals a clear shift in focus, structure, and vision – I’ll summarize below starting with the most important change:
No More Rugs – A Broader Design Horizon
Yes, you read that right. Rugs are no longer part of DOMOTEX. Instead, the fair has expanded into a much more holistic view of interiors, materials, technology, and built environments. This evolution reflects how we actually live today:
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Spaces are multi functional
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Design is deeply connected to emotion, well being, and behavior
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Technology and materiality are no longer separate conversations
DOMOTEX is now about how environments function and feel, not just what covers the floor, though flooring will be there – just not rugs. Flooring remains part of the conversation, but only where it is fully integrated into the architecture and interior concept, rather than treated as a standalone decorative element.
A Biennial Rhythm (Every Two Years)
Starting January 2026, DOMOTEX will now take place every two years. This slower, more intentional rhythm allows for:
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More meaningful innovation
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Deeper trend research
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Higher-quality exhibitions and talks
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More time for exhibitors to plan and develop meaningful products
It’s a smart move and a more sustainable approach, and one that mirrors how design thinking itself has matured. I don’t see a need to have a fair like this one be held annually.
Under the overarching concept “Creating Rooms – Transforming Spaces,” the fair will showcase core flooring categories like parquet, wood, laminate, resilient and design floor coverings, textile floor coverings, outdoor surfaces, tiles, and mats & clean-off systems alongside expanded interior design topics such as wall and ceiling products, acoustic solutions, paints and wallpapers, and privacy/shading elements — all designed to reflect how spaces function and feel in real life.
There are also dedicated areas like The Stage @ DOMOTEX (where I’ll be on opening day) for trend talks and panels, The Green Collection highlighting sustainability and circularity, Retailers Park for trade and craftsmanship, and THE WORK SHOP for hands-on demonstrations, making the all-new DOMOTEX a vibrant hub for trend insight, innovation, and cross-disciplinary inspiration.
My Opening Keynote: Monday, 19 January 2026 at 10:10 am
I’m incredibly honored to be giving the opening keynote of the all-new DOMOTEX.
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Time: 10:10–10:40
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Title: Connected Environments: Where Function Meets Emotion
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Location: Main stage, Hall 20, Stand D70
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Date: Monday, 19 January 2026
In my keynote, I’ll explore how modern environments must do more than perform – they must support emotional well being, identity, and sensory experience. It’s about bridging function, psychology, and design, and why that connection matters more than ever.
I would love for you to join me, so I can offer free tickets to those who are interested in attending DOMOTEX 2026. You can join me for my lecture, and afterwards, stay for the morning to enjoy a a powerful morning on stage, since the opening program doesn’t stop with my keynote. Immediately following, you can also:
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Listen to (and meet) TrendStefan as he takes a deep dive into design trends for 2027 – so you’ll be a year ahead of the game! His lecture is called, 2027 Unplugged: Curiosity, Creativity & the Next Big Wave
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You can also watch me, TrendStefan and Interior Architect (from @haus_momster) Lejla Krstic in our discussion: Beyond the Surface: Influencers Shaping Interior Futures
It’s a rich, inspiring morning packed with ideas, discussion, and future-focused insight – well worth arriving early for!
You can explore the full vision of the new DOMOTEX here: https://www.domotex.de/
And if you’d like a free ticket, here is your link for that – I’d truly love to see you there.
See you soon!
