Decorex 2025: Heritage, Innovation and the Art of Materiality
Craftsmanship, innovation and heritage
Every October, Decorex International takes over Olympia London and becomes the beating heart of the UK’s interior design industry. It’s a show that never stands still — where craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage meet to shape what’s next in contemporary interiors. The 2025 edition was no exception: a rich mix of bold creative voices, new materials, and the subtle re-emergence of quiet luxury as a guiding mood.
This year’s fair felt softer, calmer — yet no less expressive. The standout theme? Material honesty. From recycled stone composites to clay-based wall finishes and hand-dyed textiles, there’s a clear shift toward materials that celebrate their origins rather than disguise them. It’s about imperfection as beauty and a return to tactility in an increasingly digital design world.
Colour palettes moved beyond the typical “neutrals” — into mocha, sand, and blush tones that radiate warmth without shouting. Sculptural lighting and textured ceramics replaced glossy perfection, while modular furniture systems explored sustainability through adaptability. The thread connecting it all was restraint: spaces designed to breathe, rather than impress through excess.
At Trifle*, we see this as a wider reflection of where design is heading — toward emotionally intelligent spaces that prioritise comfort, connection, and care. In workplaces, hospitality settings, or private homes, people are craving environments that feel authentic, grounded, and sensory.
As ever, the artisans were the quiet heroes of the show. From small British workshops reviving ancient dyeing techniques to European makers experimenting with biomaterials and circular design, Decorex 2025 made a strong case for the enduring value of craftsmanship in a fast-moving world.
For us, it’s proof that the future of interior design is not faster, but deeper — rooted in material storytelling, colour psychology, and the human experience. And that’s exactly where Trifle* likes to play: translating timeless craft into colourful, human-centred interiors that balance personality with purpose.
Author: Emma Morley, Director, Trifle*
Emma founded Trifle* in 2010 after a career in marketing, event design and production. Frustrated by the fact that only advertising agencies had inspiring spaces she had a desire to make good design the norm for all office workers. Emma has worked across well over 150 interior projects during her career at the helm of Trifle*, she remains passionate about making amazing spaces but also making the industry more accessible, more human and more diverse.
