Trade shows are more popular than ever, as seen by the 142 participating countries, the growth in exhibitors, and the 10% increase in visitors. Resilience and market presence are crucial during periods of low purchasing power and ongoing inflation. According to Detlef Braun, a member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, Heimtextil made it possible for industry and retail to reach new markets and thereby actively influence worldwide competition. The proportion of foreign exhibitors increased to 96%, solidifying Heimtextil’s standing as the premier trade show for textile design and home and contract textiles worldwide. China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium were among the top 10 countries that displayed. The percentage of visitors that are foreign rose to 84%. Development was in particular recorded in markets such as Argentina, France, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Korea, Spain, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The success of this year’s Heimtextil edition was validated by high satisfaction ratings: 81% of exhibitors said they met their trade show objectives. Additionally, tourist satisfaction hit a record high at 94%. The longer stays demonstrated that guests were getting more involved. The high proportion of influential decision-makers demonstrated the caliber of the attendees and their buyer knowledge. Among other things, the Carpets & Rugs sector exhibited the great internationality, quality, and worldwide variety. Visitors were shown a premium assortment of goods from top global carpet manufacturers that were expertly incorporated into the Heimtextil line over multiple hall levels. Specialized carpet purchasers from across the world also profited from business-promoting synergies for textile interior design, in addition to buyers, interior designers, interior architects, and decorators.
Patricia Urquiola: progressive concepts for textile interior design
Heimtextil 2025 raised the bar for textile interior design with a well-known collaboration. New perspectives on local market demands and worldwide design trends were acquired by trade visitors. Patricia Urquiola, an architect and designer, demonstrated innovative textile design in her immersive installation among us: Decision-makers in the hotel and retail industries were shown the enormous potential of textile-based solutions in architecture and interior design by the atmospheric, textile conference room, which was designed with a practical approach. As a result, we were able to bring creative room ideas for future living spaces to life.
Heimtextil Trends 25/26 by Alcova: A Roadmap for the industry
The Heimtextil Trends 25/26 served as a crucial source of inspiration, helping the retail industry match its assortment to the state of the market and the limited spending of its customers. Alcova, a Milanese design platform, organized the Trend Arena for the first time, offering industry-changing solutions. It included modern colors, materials, techniques, and production methods under the heading “Future Continuous.” The “Naturally Uneven,” “Radically Restructured,” and “Regenerative” trend themes represented what consumers value most: durable, superior items that also adhere to moral and environmental norms. This attitude was reflected in this year’s color scheme, which included hues ranging from Syntropic Forest to Revival Mud and New Green Deal.
From AI to circularity: Heimtextil as a global knowledge hub
Resilience through knowledge exchange: With over 140 lectures, workshops and guided tours, Heimtextil helped industry and retail to respond to market changes and to leverage innovations as competitive advantages. ‘The content programme directly addressed the needs of the worldwide textile market and the consumers. With the Retail Stage and the Texpertise Stage, the industry benefited from our strong new partnerships and from business-enhancing expertise on circular production processes, future-focused interior trends and AI-driven design,’ explained Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies. Trade visitors learned about the business opportunities created by AI and how it enriches traditional textile production or customer care. Renowned experts shared best practices for forming sustainable business partnerships to reduce CO₂ emissions. With pioneering design and interior trends, Heimtextil emphasised holistic concepts and promoted economic potential for retail, hospitality and interior design. ‘This makes Heimtextil the global hub for lifelong learning in the entire textile interior design sector,’ emphasised Olaf Schmidt.
Heimtextil 2026: Further driving transformation and textile design
Textile interior design will be further elevated in the upcoming Heimtextil edition: Patricia Urquiola will build on her innovative Heimtextil design ideas in 2026, establishing daring, avant-garde standards for textile-based interior design. Additionally, Alcova Milano will keep up its worldwide trend research into cutting-edge materials and new aesthetics: In order to provide even more value to the textile industry, the design platform will further explore the effects of textiles as well as the opportunities and difficulties that the sector faces. These findings will then be translated into the next Heimtextil trends.
