Habitare 2026 concludes successfully – the “Plot Twists” theme inspired visitors, and positive economic signals boosted confidence in the industry
Habitare 2026 brought together more than 40,000 design enthusiasts, industry professionals and home decorators, along with over 480 companies. The Nordic region's leading furniture, design and interior design fair is a place to discover a wide range of industry companies, make purchases for the home, and find inspiration.
Habitare 2026 showcased current brands, ideas and products in style, while strongly highlighting the importance of the circular economy across the entire industry. Circular economy thinking was visible as a theme in discussions, as innovations at the stands, and also in the event's own structures.
At the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (Messukeskus) construction service, the starting point for exhibition and trade fair construction is reusing the same structures and materials across multiple events, with usable materials always recovered and reused whenever possible. The themed pavilion designed by Minestrone Workshop was an innovative structure built from a minimal amount of material, and the Habitare Choice area charmed visitors with ecological material choices ranging from charred wood to carbon-capturing interior tiles.
"Habitare brought together people interested in design, furniture and interior decoration to get inspired, make purchases and enjoy themselves. At the stands there were discussions about design, homes, renovations and construction and purchases being made. We are especially pleased that many exhibitors reported positive news about brisk trading and growing interest," says Habitare's Business Manager Tanja Pasila.
Habitare's professional platform, Habitare Pro, continues to grow and become more international. The offering brought industry professionals together and provided themed programming, including workshops, at Messukeskus as well as at company showrooms in downtown Helsinki. Friday's Architecture Day made architecture an even stronger part of Habitare's themes, as did the Naapurit (Neighbours) stand designed by Arkkitehti Takkunen, which delighted visitors with its northern aesthetic and a design that honored traditional craftsmanship.
Networking and collaborations from the fair
Finnish company MO6 introduced itself to a wider audience for the first time at Habitare. The company's products use Elementic technology, which refines lignin – a byproduct of pulp production – into solid wall tiles that permanently bind atmospheric carbon.
"Trade fairs are very important for visibility and an effective way to generate a lot of new leads in a short time. Habitare exceeded all our expectations: in particular, visibility on television and in international media coverage during the fair itself brought publicity, the positive effects of which we felt right away. In addition, networking with other companies in the industry is sure to lead to productive collaborations," says MO6's director Johanna Normiala.
Young generation of designers prominently featured
Habitare's international press visits and keynote speakers offered designers and students unique opportunities to meet people and make contacts. New Finnish design was on display at many stands, in the themed exhibition, and in the traditional Habitare Talents and Protos exhibitions, as well as in the Habitare and Aalto University design competition. The LAB Institute of Design had a large stand as well as a presence on the event stage, which created dialogue between designers at different stages of their careers. One of the designers featured in Habitare's Talents exhibition was Iina Kettunen, who is delighted about the new opportunities created by encounters at the fair:
"Even though I've been working in the field for quite a while now, this was my first experience with a trade fair of this scale. I was completely surprised by how wonderful and varied the encounters made possible by the fair have been. The number of visitors and the abundance of encounters that resulted, has been in a class of its own. It's hard to achieve anything comparable elsewhere. The wide range and international nature of the fair's visitors from industry professionals to journalists and consumers has been a particularly positive surprise," says Iina Kettunen.
The Nordic region's leading furniture, design and interior design event, Habitare, will next be held at Helsinki's Messukeskus on 8–12 September 2027. The Helsinki Handicraft Fair (Helsingin Kädentaitomessut) will be held for the first time alongside Habitare, on 10–12 September 2027. The Helsinki Handicraft Fair is organized by MediaPro Messut.
For more information: Christa Vuorinen, tel. +358 50 577 6522, christa.vuorinen@messukeskus.com
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