Decorex has announced its 2026 Design Talks programme, bringing together over 100 expert speakers to explore the trends, techniques and insights shaping the future of luxury interiors.
Taking place at Olympia, London from 11-14th October 2026, the four-day programme has been curated to give interior designers practical guidance and industry perspectives they can apply directly to their work, covering topics ranging from conscious design to building a brand, and career development to collaborative working.
In addition to the Talks Theatre, the Sustainability Space also returns, offering expert-led sessions on responsible design, from local materials and skills to healthier indoor environments, waste reduction and wellbeing. Expert speakers confirmed to appear at the talks include renowned designers Linda Boronkay, Suzy Hoodless, Patrick Williams, Sophie Robinson, Nicola Harding, Andrew Griffiths and BIID President Elect Anna Burles.
Decorex Event Director Sam Fisher comments: “Design Talks exists to give our visitors something they can take straight back to their clients, not just inspiration but insights they can act on. We have an impressive roster of speakers this year, many who are industry pioneers bringing with them a wealth of experience, alongside newer names in the industry who we can see establishing themselves as creative visionaries. We receive such positive feedback from designers each year, who say that the talks are an essential part of the Decorex experience, so it’s incredibly important for us to continue delivering a rich programme, packed with valuable insights and perspectives. Each session promises to be educational and thought-provoking, as well as delivering practical advice which the audience will be able to utilise as soon as they leave the theatre.”
With a variety of talks each day across the Talks Theatre and Sustainability Space, featuring conversations and lively debates covering the pressing issues facing the design industry today, here are some key sessions you won’t want to miss:
High end to high street
Join designers Sophie Robinson, Lisa Hensby and Holly Vaughan as they explain how to integrate high street and vintage finds into a professional interior project. Hosted by journalist, Elspeth Pridham, the trio will delve into how this works in practice, giving advice on where to shop, when to spend and how to create beautiful interiors for clients on a limited budget.
Building a Design Brand That Lasts
Acclaimed interior designers, Nicola Harding and Joanna Draper, discuss what it takes to build a successful design practice with Hatta Byng, Brand Director of Create Academy. This insightful conversation will cover how to graduate from solo designer to studio founder, grow a team and develop a brand, along with practical insights on how to build a design business that endures.
Creating Desire: How storytelling, craft, layering and cultural identity are shaping the interiors we want now
Hosted by Design Author and Creative Strategist Emilio Pimentel-Reid, this conversation brings together leading voices from design to explore how desire is created — and why it matters more than ever. The panel includes Chloe Willis, Associate Director at Sibyl Colefax, Patrick Williams, Founder of Berdoulat, Murude Katipoglu, Founder of MURUDÉ and Studio Duggan Founder and Director Tiffany Duggan, discussing how designers move beyond decoration to create emotional connection, distinction and lasting relevance.
99% Invisible: The Unseen, Under-valued Craft of the Interior Designer
We all love looking at photos of glorious interior schemes, but images of seemingly effortless beauty and elegance, featuring serenely beaming clients do not tell the whole story. In this talk, host, Jeff Hayward, Presenter of The Interior Design Business podcast will be asking ‘what actually lies beneath the glamour?’ Interior designers Suzy Hoodless, Lucy Sear-Barlow, Portia Fox and Susie Rumbold will discuss why designers are only feted on the visual result, and how they can communicate their application of skill and technical expertise to their clients to ensure they are appreciated for what they do and remunerated properly.
BIID: The Power of Community: How Collaboration Grows an Interior Design Business
Interior designers are busy, but stepping beyond the studio to collaborate with the wider design community can be one of the most effective ways to build visibility, strengthen credibility and unlock new opportunities. Hosted by Debra Kacher, Founder and Director of dk interiors and BIID President Elect, the panel includes Claudia Dorsch, Founder of Claudia Dorsch and designer of this year’s Decorex VIP Lounge, Bee Janaye, Creative Director of JANAYE and Ryan Donohue, Founder of The Responsible Designer, exploring practical ways to make time for industry engagement and how those relationships can translate into referrals, press coverage, better supplier access and a stronger pipeline.
Scaling a Contemporary Interior Design Practice Without Losing Creative Identity
Host Pip Rich will be joined by panellists Andrew Griffiths, Founder of A New Day Design Studio, Alex Dauley, Founder of Alex Dauley and United in Design, and Lizzie Green, Founder of Lizzie Green Studio to discuss their journeys from taking on their initial project brief to building independent studios - examining the transition from small, informal work into structured, scalable businesses.
Designing the Ultimate Members Club: Bridging Residential Comfort and Hospitality Excellence
This insightful discussion, with a panel featuring Matoula Karagiannis, Principal of Champalimaud Design, and interior designers Linda Boronkay, Natalia Miyar and Ruchika Rajani, delves into the dynamic world of exclusive members’ clubs, examining how interior design can transform these spaces into hubs of luxury, community, and value. As members’ clubs increasingly draw inspiration from both residential and hospitality design, the discussion will focus on the defining characteristics of successful spaces, the challenges faced by designers, and the strategies for creating meaningful experiences that resonate with members.
Pitch Perfect
How to sell yourself and your skills in a client pitch. Designers Rina Patel and Elliott Jarvis-Green share the tactics they use to promote their skills, build a positive relationship with the client and how they manifest their self-belief to secure new business at the right price. Expert insight will be provided by business coach Katy Stevenson Bretton and the discussion will be chaired by Elspeth Pridham.
BIID: Shaping perceptions of interior design: how can the design industry work together to change the narrative
This expert-led panel featuring Anna Burles, Co-Founder of Run for the Hills, Liz Bell, Director of Absolute Project Management and BIID President, Adam Knight, Director of Nefarious Design and Claire Hunte, Co-Founder of Living Funky, will explore how the interior design industry can collectively shape perceptions of what it means to practise interior design.
Design Circles Returns
Following its successful launch in 2025, Design Circles returns this year with a fresh set of conversations. Hosted in a roundtable-style format, the sessions offer visitors a unique opportunity to engage in focused dialogue, share insights, and explore ideas in an intimate, collaborative setting. Some of this year’s topics for discussion include The Art of Interior Styling and Landscaping, Interior Design and Wellbeing and Designing the Smart Home: Making Home Automation Work.
Decorex On-Demand
VIP visitors will once again be able to access the Talks Programme on-demand, with programme recordings and daily event summaries ensuring nothing is missed. Whether it’s revisiting a particularly relevant discussion or catching up on sessions you couldn’t attend, Decorex on-demand brings the best of the event directly to wherever you are. Access is included in all VIP tickets and can be purchased as an add-on for £25 + VAT for all other ticket types.
