Focus/26 On Design: Your Guide To This Year’s Interiors Event
By
2 hours ago
What to expect from this year's fair at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour
An unmissable week in any design lover’s calendar, Focus/26 on Design is the place to discover the latest launches from a host of brands and gain insights from the interior design experts. Running from 14 – 18 September, the event will take place at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Want to know what to visit this year? Here’s our guide to the best events.
READ MORE: Design Festivals Coming To The Capital This Year
Focus/26 On Design: A Guide
What is Focus/26 On Design?
Coming to the capital every September, Focus/26 on Design is a major luxury interiors event that brings together 600 brands across more than 135 showrooms and 30 pop-up House Guests, taking over Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Besides the brands on display, Focus/26 also comes with a free programme of more than 100 events, talks and masterclasses from leading designers – including Michael S. Smith, India Hicks, Lorenzo Castillo and Paolo Moschino. Talks will be hosted by some of the top editors in interior design, including C&TH‘s very own Carole Annett.
When Is It?
Monday 14 – Friday 18 September 2026
Where Is It?
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour (Lots Road, London SW10 0XE)
How To Book Tickets
Entry to Focus/26 on Design is free, but you will need to purchase a ticket for separate talks and events. You can register your attendance and explore scheduled events at dcch.co.uk
(c) Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, photography by Natalie Dinham
What’s On: Focus/26 On Design
Conversations In Design
Focus/26 on Design’s main stage is Conversations in Design, which is where you’ll find the event’s hero line-up of talks, panel discuss and business-focused sessions with A-list speakers. These discussions are designed to keep the industry inspired, competitive and curious, with thought-provoking conversations and in-depth analysis.
Some of our top picks this year include:
The Art of Gathering in the Age of AI (hosted by Country & Town House)
India Hicks, Willow Kemp, Robert Angell and Carole Annett explore how, in a new era defined by artificial intelligence, designers continue to create intentional, physical spaces that nurture human connection – and the art of getting together. Discover why inviting dining spaces are more vital than ever, acting as essential places that break down digital distractions, spark meaningful conversations and bring us closer together.
Monday 14 September, 11.30am-12.30pm | £10pp
The Curated Home: Blending History, Art and Modern Living
Celebrated talent Michael S. Smith sits down with interiors writer Hatta Byng to talk about his evolving design ethos, underscored by the belief that everyone should live with the things they love.
Monday 14 September, 4-5pm | £10pp
Design As A Force For Good
How much power does design really hold over our lives? Renowned designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen join DCCH CEO Claire German to explore how design restores dignity and drives positive social impact, while looking closely at their collaborative partnership with the San Patrignano community.
Thursday 17 September, 3-4pm | £10pp
See the full programme of events here.
Jane Churchill
Grow Your Business Sessions
The go-to programming for those already in the industry (or trying to break in), Grow Your Business Sessions offer up masterclasses, designer toolkits and seminars that let you learn directly from the experts.
See the full programme of events here.
Access All Areas
Ever wanted to meet the people behind your favourite (or soon-to-be favourite) brands? Now you can. Access All Areas offers visitors the chance to interact face-to-face with world class designers, makers and creative thinkers through a series of showroom and House Guest events.
This year, you can try your hand at metal finishing with Loom Furniture, talk all things silk with Rubelli, explore historical design in contemporary settings with Max Rollitt, look through the archives of Gainsborough, see how period properties are restored with Colefax and Fowler – and more.
See the full programme of events here.
Pop-Up House Guests
Returning this year is Focus/26 on Design’s cohort of pop-up House Guests: 30 brands hand-selected by the DCCH team, who can found in Design Avenue exclusively throughout the event.
This year, DCCH welcomes the likes of Christy, Studio Hám and Zoffany x Michael S. Smith – with more names to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
Design Emporium Collective
Focus/26 will also see DCCH build upon its brand new shopping destination, the Design Emporium Collective on Fifth, which launched earlier this year. Four new showrooms are set to open in time for the event, with spaces curated by Corston, Armac Martin, The Vale London and Alhambra.
Kick off the week on Monday with a visit to Fifth, where for one day only you can meet the product designers in person, learn about their incredible work and get the insiders’ take on modern craftsmanship. But if you can’t make Day 1, don’t worry – experts from the Design Emporium Collective brands will be sharing their know-how and product knowledge twice daily in informal, intimate sessions dubbed the Learning Lounge. Here, they’ll be guiding attendees through the interior design essentials, from how to specify rugs and lighting to understanding fabrics.
For more information on the Design Emporium Collective, see our guide here.
