Heimtextil 2026 has underlined its position as the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, delivering stability, confidence and strategic orientation to an industry navigating volatile global conditions. Held in Frankfurt am Main, the event welcomed 3,000 exhibitors from 148 countries and attracted over 48,000 buyers, with a notable rise in the quality of visitors and decision-makers.
© Heimtextil
Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade flows and evolving consumer behaviour, Heimtextil proved its value as a reliable international platform. The share of top-level decision-makers increased to 78%, confirming the fair's growing relevance for strategic sourcing, market exploration and long-term partnerships. Major global players such as Harrods, IKEA, Marriott Hotels, Sainsbury's and XXXLutz were among those represented.
With 96% international exhibitors and visitors from key growth markets including the United States, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland and Peru, Heimtextil once again brought together the entire textile value chain. China, India, Pakistan, Türkiye and leading European markets featured strongly among exhibitors, reflecting the fair's global reach and balanced market representation.
Under the guiding theme "Lead the Change", Heimtextil 2026 focused on future-facing topics shaping the textile and interior design sectors. Artificial intelligence, functional textiles, sustainability and new hospitality concepts took centre stage, translating macro trends into concrete business opportunities. The Heimtextil Trends 26/27, themed "Craft is a verb", explored the intersection of AI and traditional craftsmanship, offering inspiration for product development and range planning.
A key highlight was Patricia Urquiola's installation "among-all", which combined AI, material innovation and sustainability in an immersive environment. The installation demonstrated how transformative textiles can respond to human needs while opening up new possibilities for design, retail and hospitality.
Project-based and contract solutions were another major focus, with the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality programme showcasing how functional textiles drive differentiation in hospitality, office and healthcare environments. From 2027, a new collaboration with Hospitality Interiors Europe (HINT) will further strengthen Heimtextil's position as a central hub for high-end contract and hospitality design.
Artificial intelligence played a defining role throughout the fair under the umbrella "Texpertise Focus AI", highlighting practical applications from creative design tools to workflow optimisation and personalised customer engagement. By embedding AI into the trade fair experience, Heimtextil positioned itself as a strategic enabler for innovation and competitiveness across the textile industry.
With stable participation, rising repeat visits and consistently high satisfaction levels, Heimtextil 2026 delivered clarity, inspiration and confidence at a critical moment for the market. The next edition of Heimtextil will take place 12–15 January 2027 in Frankfurt.
More information:
Heimtextil
www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com
