From Sunday 18 to Wednesday 21 January, the January Furniture Show returned for its 36th edition, once again confirming its position as the UK's first major furniture exhibition of the year. Across four busy days, the NEC Birmingham became the meeting point for retailers, buyers, manufacturers, and designers, all keen to set the tone for the season ahead.
As the show unfolded, the aisles were filled with energy. While feedback from exhibitors varied, the overall sentiment remained positive. Some brands reported slightly less footfall compared to previous years, but noted that conversations were more focused and purposeful, with fewer casual browsers and more serious buyers ready to engage. Others commented that they had not seen their stands this busy in years, underlining the strong buying intent present throughout the halls.
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Check out our photo report here.
With over 500 UK and international brands exhibiting, visitors were able to explore new-season launches, compare collections, meet manufacturers face-to-face, and take advantage of exclusive show-only offers. As the first furniture trade event of the calendar year in the UK, the January Furniture Show once again proved to be a crucial moment for shaping buying decisions and future collections.
Distinct halls with clear identities
- Hall 1 – Premium Design: High-end collections and craftsmanship-led furniture, in partnership with Hooker Furnishings
- Hall 2 – Home, Garden & Lifestyle: Versatile ranges bridging indoor and outdoor living, in partnership with Scatter Box
- Hall 3 – Living, Dining & Cabinet: Practical yet design-conscious furniture solutions, in partnership with Vida
- Hall 5 – Upholstery & Beds: Comfort, modern upholstery and fabric innovation, in partnership with Buoyant
Across all halls, the mix of large, established brands and smaller, emerging companies created a dynamic atmosphere. From full furniture collections to specialist fabric and material suppliers, the diversity on display reflected the breadth of today's furniture industry.
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Check out our photo report here.
Materials, colours, and direction
Several recurring themes could be spotted throughout the show. Many companies are returning to oak as a core material, favouring its durability, warmth, and timeless appeal. Natural brown and beige tones dominated many stands, reinforcing a move towards grounding, long-lasting design.
At the same time, some brands deliberately chose to separate themselves from prevailing trends, reintroducing brighter, more colourful palettes to stand out on the show floor. Alongside this, fabric companies presented a wide range of new textures and finishes, balancing neutral, earthy shades with bold colour statements for retailers seeking differentiation.
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Check out our photo report here.
Celebrating excellence
A notable highlight of this year's edition was the introduction of the Excellence in Furniture Awards 2026, organised for the first time by the January Furniture Show. Held on 19 January, the awards celebrated achievement, innovation, and craftsmanship across the industry.
According to Alice Bowling, Senior Marketing Manager of the January Furniture Show, the awards were a huge success. Feedback from exhibitors echoed this sentiment, with many expressing how much they valued the opportunity to celebrate the industry together in a dedicated and festive setting.
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Check out our photo report here.
Photoreport
The InteriorDaily team created a beautiful photo report focusing mainly on furniture exhibits and the larger interior items, decoration, tewxtiles, and lighting suppliers.
Unfortunately, we couldn't photograph everyone, so if you have a nice team photo, feel free to send it in, we'll be happy to include it in the album!
The January Furniture Show will continue this year at the Manchester Furniture Show, the UK's summer trade show for furniture, interiors, and homewares, which takes place from 5-6 July 2026.
