Once again, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington was painted pink from 19-21 May as it hosted the 15th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW). Now firmly established in the UK and international calendar as a premier design and furniture fair, CDW’s appeal lies in its spectacular installations, 20+ exhibition venues and the participation of 100+ showrooms and 400+ brands.
As ever, there was an extraordinary amount to see and do, with every aspect of design represented. Beyond the showrooms and installations, CDW’s seminar programme entitled “Conversations at Clerkenwell” – once again delivered a packed schedule of talks, panels and discussions, drawing on some of the sharpest minds in design, materials, architecture and interiors. A welcome development this year was the launch of the official CDW app, which proved invaluable for navigating the event – helping with planning routes, discovering what was on and making the most of everything across the three days.
Workplace in focus
For 2026, acoustic products, surfaces and finishes were particularly prominent, alongside a strong showing on the workplace furniture front. Four suggested routes taking in the key workplace furniture showrooms were a useful addition for first-timers and seasoned visitors alike, helping them to immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere that makes CDW unlike any other show.
That sense of energy spilled out across Clerkenwell, particularly as the sun shone. Dynamic Office Solutions – celebrating its 20th anniversary – marked the occasion with its 1966 Routemaster, aka DynamiBus, parked in prime position, freshly resprayed and looking better than ever.
CDW continues to attract design businesses in ever-greater numbers, with more showrooms opening their doors each year. Dams, for example, seized the opportunity to launch its brand-new Social Spaces showroom, unveiling its latest collections. On a smaller scale, it was fascinating to catch up with Tim Brennan – inventor of Vivobarefoot – about his latest creation, the AirPoise chair, developed in collaboration with Ergochair.
In the workplace furniture space, there was plenty on offer beyond desks and seats. Fellowes Brands, for example, was showcasing its monitor arms and power solutions. Over at a refreshed Bisley showroom, technology also took centre stage, with smart lockers featuring prominently through the BeSmart Innovation Hub, allowing visitors to explore the company’s intelligent storage solutions first-hand.
It is always valuable to visit the showrooms and exhibition areas to get a feel for the latest trends in workplace design. This year, sustainability and circular economy principles remained standout themes, while wellbeing and neurodiversity – with acoustics central to both – were increasingly reflected across collections. Natural materials such as wood and stone featured heavily, as did modular furniture.
