Authenticity, traditional materials, and emotional spaces – Habitare 2025 highlights the leading trends in interior design and living
Habitare 2025 will showcase the most prominent trends in design, interiors, and living. A longing for authenticity and simplicity is evident, along with a renewed appreciation for traditional materials and the learning of manual skills—while new biomaterials also make an appearance. Highlights include Hakola’s new Details collection and Yrjö Kukkapuro’s final armchair design, the YK92. The floor of the Touch-themed exhibition features split marble taken from the walls of Finlandia Hall. Habitare’s guest exhibitions will feature the Swedish brand Fogia and the Danish brand New Works, both known for their experimental approach and appreciation of craftsmanship traditions. The leading furniture, design, and interior event in the Nordics will take place at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 10–14 September 2025.
“Design and living trends are reaching toward imperfection—and thus humanity. new biomaterials, traditional craftsmanship, and the rediscovery of skills offer a counterbalance to the rush of everyday life. Patina is something to be appreciated, and traces of life in a space are not flaws but stories,” says Habitare’s Creative Advisor Päivi Helander.
According to Helander, designers’ work reflects a yearning for simplicity and authenticity—or a bold desire to do things in one’s own way, regardless of others’ opinions.
“Hopefully, the word ‘trend’ will be replaced by ‘individuality’—the idea that things feel right or bring comfort. What kinds of personal choices, materials, or spaces will we see, and what emotions will they evoke? The biggest phenomena include a return to traditional materials and skills, and the courage to take things slowly,” she adds.
The theme of Touch resonates throughout the event
Imperfection becomes beauty in the Touch-themed exhibition designed by architecture studio Collaboratorio, which incorporates demolition marble from Finlandia Hall.
“We want to challenge the pursuit of polished perfection and highlight the authenticity of materials—demolition marble, wood, and unfired clay. The exhibition is architecture for the body: slow, sensory, and intimate. The experience goes beyond sight—it invites touch and immersion. It encourages visitors to feel how imperfection becomes beauty, and how the deep presence of material transforms into art and meaning,” explain designers Martino De Rossi and Kristiina Kuusiluoma of Collaboratorio.
The Touch theme also appears in the Habitare Neighbours area, designed by interior designer Laura Seppänen, who has focused on human-scale, everyday objects and meaningful details.
At the Habitare Choice area, which encourages making responsible choices, visitors will discover products with significance beyond their function. One such item is Piilo, a smartphone case designed by Pentagon Design and developed by Sari Niemi, which encourages us to disconnect and rethink our reliance on devices.
The urn collection designed by Saara Renvall and launched at Habitare was born from the need to explore the aesthetics of a person’s final object. The solid wood, eco-friendly urns are minimalist and timeless, free of gender or religious symbolism. Manufactured in Finland, the collection’s bold colors bring warmth and humanity to objects associated with death.
Hakola’s new Details collection brings its familiar color palette to rugs and bags
Known for its playful use of color, Hakola introduces its new Details collection at Habitare, featuring interior items as well as new rugs and bags. Finnish Design Shop is bringing the Danish brand HAY to Habitare, known for its bold approach to combining colors and forms. The Finnish Design Shop with HAY section will showcase the brand’s most exciting new releases and beloved classics—many of which are available for purchase.
Marimekko’s touring pop-up exhibition Field of Flowers celebrates the brand’s iconic floral patterns and bold use of color. After traveling through major cities in Asia earlier this year, the exhibition will now be seen in Finland for the very first time.
Lapuan Kankurit’s autumn collection includes a collaboration with illustrator and ceramicist Armi Teva. The collection is rooted in a respect for authenticity, with each item woven from pure natural materials at the company’s mill in Lapua.
Habitare will also unveil the compact YK92 armchair, left unfinished on the desk of the late Yrjö Kukkapuro, who passed away in February. The chair will be launched at Alastek’s stand. Kukkapuro remained committed to ergonomic design until the end, ensuring the chair offers a firm grip for easy rising, even for those with limited mobility. The chair is manufactured by Finnish company Summanen Oy.
More information:
Pia Sievinen, communication & brand, Habitare, tel. +358 40 559 9155, pia.sievinen@messukeskus.com
Accretitation: https://www.messukeskus.com/en/for-media/accreditation/
Images of Habitare can be downloaded here
Habitare, the leading furniture, design and interior event in the Nordics, will be held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 10 to 14 September 2025. | habitare.fi | @habitarefair
The Finnish Fair Group includes, in addition to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, the trade fair organiser Expomark Oy and the AV technology company SVV Oy. In 2024, the Group’s revenue was 58.4 million euros, its economic impact on the surrounding area was 245 million euros, and its employment impact was 3,335 person-years. I Messukeskus. The real social media. I messukeskus.com I @messukeskus
