This year, Stockholm's design scene looked a little different. With the traditional Stockholm Furniture Fair absent, Swedish brands and designers embraced a new rhythm through Stockholm Design Days and a range of city-wide initiatives. Bo Hellberg, CMO of Scandinavian design icons String Furniture and Grythyttan Stålmöbler, shares his reflections on the week and the evolving role of Swedish design on the international stage.
© String Furniture
New for 2026: String System, Dark Oak, String Furniture with Bo Hellberg, the CMO at Grythyttan Stålmöbler.
Creativity beyond the fair
"I think it was genuinely positive, a sense of rebirth in some way," Hellberg says. "The absence of the Stockholm Furniture Fair and the usual organisation gave brands license to find and create their own space in a new way. Everything from simply opening showrooms to completely new formats allowed for fresh creative expression."
Hellberg's own initiative centred around a historic 1658 building in central Stockholm. Collaborating with fellow design brands Källemo and Gemla, each brand curated exhibitions in rooms that respected the building's original features and artwork. "Each brand had their own rooms, designed their exhibitions independently, which made for a diverse, intriguing experience for visitors," he explains.
Supporting emerging talent
String Furniture continues to invest in the next generation through its scholarship programme. Since 2022, the brand has awarded one young designer annually, supporting them from concept through production. This year, the Emerging Designers initiative showcased fresh talent in a space funded by participating brands, curated by designer Nils Askhagen. "We asked for design that would have variation in materiality, expression and technique," Hellberg notes, emphasising the importance of nurturing innovation and new voices in Swedish design.
Trends and global relevance
Looking ahead, Hellberg identifies a key trend: "Recycling that goes beyond sustainability, where reuse becomes part of the design, almost like sampling in music." He stresses that Swedish design, with its innovation and creativity, remains vital to the global interior and furniture industry.
© Grythyttan StalmoblerNew for 2026: sofa 3, Grythyttan Stalmobler.
Rethinking office design
The evolution of workspaces was another highlight. "The old offices are not coming back," Hellberg observes. Hybrid working requires a new approach to collaboration, cohesion and culture. He points to the concept of the "third space", environments that foster interaction, creativity and exchange outside traditional residential or office boundaries. "Offices need to become meeting places, dynamic spaces and flexible, modular environments. This is where real value is created," he says.
A forward-looking vision
For both String Furniture and Grythyttan Stålmöbler, the reimagined week confirmed that innovation, collaboration and respect for tradition remain central to Swedish design's enduring appeal. From historic buildings to experimental spaces, the message is clear: design thrives when freedom, craft and culture intersect.
About String Furniture
Founded in 1949, String Furniture is a leading Scandinavian design company, known for its flexible and functional String® shelving system. The brand collaborates with award-winning designers and has shaped interior design habits globally.
About Grythyttan Stålmöbler
With a 130-year history, Grythyttan creates high-quality outdoor furniture in wood and steel. The brand combines classic craftsmanship with Scandinavian design, working with both iconic and contemporary designers.
More information:
String Furniture
Limhamnsvägen 110
216 13 Limhamn
+46 40 18 7001
[email protected]
www.stringfurniture.com
Sweden
Grythyttan Stålmöbler
Lokstallsgatan 1, 712 60
0591-143 50
[email protected]
www.grythyttanstalmobler.com
Grythyttan
