Surface Design Show 2026 attracts 6,000+ visitors as ‘Material Evolution’ drives innovation

From 3^rd – 5^th February over 6,000 visitors flocked to London’s Business Design Centre where over 180 exhibitors showcased the best in surface and material innovation. An expanded programme saw visitors enjoy the return of popular features such as Surface Spotlight, the Innovation Gallery, Green Grads and Surface Design Awards. New for 2026 was a collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) which hosted two major events during the show. As well as discovering the best in materiality for the built environment visitors also had the chance to join a range of diverse talks with over 50 speakers spanning the full breadth of the industry. New for 2026 was the Workshop Stage which gave visitors a chance to get hands on with materials in guided workshops.

The opening night debate at the Surface Design Show led by Katie Treggiden, award winning journalist and author of Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure, delivered a powerful presentation on the Main Stage. Her keynote was centred on the idea of waste being a category rather than an immutable fact, suggesting that used objects can be recategorised as exciting new raw materials. This forward-thinking approach kicked off the event’s 2026 theme of ‘Material Evolution’ and led into a lively debate regarding the future of waste streams. Treggiden chaired a panel of designers and creators to investigate if waste is truly the raw material of the future or if creating new demand for it created a new set of problems. As a featured speaker among the industry’s most innovative voices, her insights provided a moment for visitors to reflect and feel inspired within the acoustic and sensory-focused design of the Main Stage. By challenging standard definitions of discarded items, she highlighted how redefining materials is essential to the design industry’s progress. The opening night debate was then followed by drinks hosted by Stone Federation and Rehau, bringing a buzz to the first night of the show.

This year’s Surface Design Awards were hosted by Hotel Travel Editor and Owner and Director of Kilburn Communications, Hamish Kilburn. The evening was a great success, with awards being dominated by Studio RAP for Lighting, Hospitality, Public Realm and Facades categories and Agri-fruit-bag by Liza C Design for Regenerative Design, Innovation and Sustainability categories. Liza C Design also claimed Supreme Winner and David McGill was awarded the very first Emerging Talent Award with his project Ruvi Acoustic Tile.

The British Institute of Interior Design hosted a networking breakfast on the Wednesday and Commercial Interiors UK hosted a breakfast on the Thursday. With both events being well attended and allowing attendees to mix with a wide range of industry professionals.

The VIP lounge, designed by Justine Fox, was jam-packed for the duration of the show, with the theme ‘Colouring Circularity’ targeting waste capture, Justine worked with brands who used offcuts and waste to make the furnishings for the space. With zones implemented to separate the bustle of the front of the room from the calmer back of the room for a more inclusive design, the VIP lounge was a hotspot at this year’s show.

In keeping with the 2026 theme of ‘Material Evolution’ a new feature of this year’s show was the Sustainability Trail with members including Artstone Panel Systems and Surface Matter. The trail allowed visitors to scan a QR code at each participating stand and gain access to information about the unique sustainability angles of each exhibitor.

Standout exhibitors included Artstone panel Systems, Surface Matter, A Cimenteria Do Louro S.A, Mundy Veneer and Wonderwall Studios.

Artstone Panel Systems brought a compelling international perspective to the Business Design Centre, showcasing an extensive range of wall solutions that perfectly embodied the show’s Material Evolution theme. Their display was a highlight for visitors, drawing significant interest with their Arcquitone panels and the atmospheric, nature-inspired palettes of the Nevada, Dusk and Nimbus collections.

This year Surface Matter offered a tribute to transformation that was well aligned with the show’s theme of Material Evolution. Celebrating their 13^th year, the studio presented an installation titled ‘Through time’, which showcased a decade of surface innovation by reimagining past exhibition displays into future-facing pieces for adaptive reuse. The exhibit highlighted their pioneering work with surfaces made from recycled paper, plastics, and textiles, while also promoting Material Rescue, a takeback service dedicated to keeping quality materials in circulation. By showcasing a new library of pieces available for rental and rescue, Surface Matter demonstrated how the industry can shift away from single-use culture, proving that exhibition stands themselves can be designed for circularity and legacy rather than waste.

At this year’s show, A Cimenteria Do Louro S.A. (ACL) commanded significant attention at their stand, embodying this year’s theme of ‘Material Evolution’ through their innovative approach to concrete. The Portuguese brand, which carries a 48-year legacy in technical knowledge and architecture, showcased a diverse range of products including their Design Line wall coverings and Marmocim real terrazzo slabs. Their showstopper was their sample of Slimcrete, a flexible concrete which has been subjected to extreme testing, including trials in space. This groundbreaking material garnered lots of attention at the show, demonstrating how traditional concrete can be transformed into a high-performance, adaptable solution for modern interior and exterior design.

Wonderwall Studios also made a significant impact at the 2026 Surface Design Show, contributing to the event’s overarching theme of ‘Material Evolution’. Their display was centred on their unique reclaimed wooden wall panels, which stood out as a primary example of how salvaged materials can be repurposed into high-end architectural features. As specialists in both wood and wall coverings, the studio attracted attention for their ability to transform weathered timber into artistic, textured surfaces that align with the industry’s shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

Mundy Veneer offered a masterclass in natural beauty and technical expertise, showcasing why they are a leading partner for luxury commercial and residential interiors. With an expansive library of over 900 individual veneers across 160 species, the company captivated visitors with its exclusive collection of Tabu Italy pre-dyed and engineered veneers. A major highlight of their display was the introduction of two new colour collections:

BLOOM – a collection of dyed veneers in sophisticated, soft, gentle shades, stronger than pastels and designed to be combined in eclectic, characterful interiors.

EARTH – a selection of earthy neutrals in dark, moody colours, to create a sense of enveloping comfort and a touch of understated drama.

Bringing over 30 years of specialist knowledge to the show, Mundy Veneer successfully balanced aesthetic innovation with rigorous sustainability due diligence.

The 2026 Surface Design Show was a huge success, with an inspiring talks programme, innovative stands and visitors and exhibitors alike enjoying the opportunity to experience the best in class in surfaces and materials. The Business Design Centre will once again host the Surface Design Show in 2027 from 2^nd – 4^th February from visitors can look forward to another year of experimentation and material exploration.