Toronto Design Week 2026, held amidst a historic late January snowstorm and biting temperatures, truly tested the mettle of design enthusiasts. Yet, those who braved the elements were richly rewarded with an inspiring showcase of furniture, lighting, and experimental works across both the renowned Interior Design Show (IDS) and the city-wide DesignTO festival. What immediately captivated attendees was a resounding theme: bold, unapologetic colour. This year, designers decisively moved beyond muted palettes and subtle patterns, embracing vibrant hues in everything from seating to entire kitchen systems. Equally compelling was the pervasive spirit of experimentation, with new finishes, innovative materials, and daring forms topping everyone’s must-see lists. Join us as we delve into the standout moments and broader design narratives that defined this unforgettable week.
A Kaleidoscope of Colour: Ditching the Greige
The era of ‘greige’ is officially over. Toronto Design Week 2026 declared a vibrant new chapter, with colour taking centre stage in the most unexpected and delightful ways.
IKEA’s Splash of Vitamin C
After a multi-year hiatus, IKEA Canada made a triumphant return to the Interior Design Show with a statement that was both big and bold. Their new Terrsjö door system, showcased in a striking squash-orange kitchen, was a much-needed burst of ‘Vitamin C’ for the senses. The corrugated accent front offered a breath of fresh air – as was the entire 600-square-foot booth, which beautifully emphasized biophilia – a testament to design that connects us with nature.
Roche Bobois Reimagines Shelving
Over at the AZURE-curated Furniture Forecast, Roche Bobois’s Disk shelving system redefined interior possibilities. Designed by Sacha Lakic, this system is far more than mere background infrastructure; it’s a captivating artwork in itself, reminiscent of a modern stained-glass masterpiece.
Moooi’s Psychedelic Corporate Lounge
Moooi’s setting at IDS, a collaboration with Vancouver’s Ste Marie, was a constant hive of activity. Exploring the theme “How We Work,” their space presented a boisterous, almost zany take on the corporate lounge, featuring a psychedelic watery-blue print and abundant foliage that left a lasting impression.
Beyond the Conventional: Surprising Material Mutations
in materials was a dominant force, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and challenging preconceived notions of texture and form. Vases crafted from tape, tables from leather, and upholstered light fixtures were just a few examples of the wild material applications that thrilled attendees.
ByBorre & Hollis+Morris: A Textile Transformation
One of the most satisfying collaborations saw Dutch textile brand ByBorre team up with Toronto studio Hollis+Morris. Their cladding of the Willow vertical pendant in ByBorre’s signature 3D-knit textile resulted in a surprising and tactile juxtaposition of textures, showcasing the versatility of modern fabrication.
Italian Craftsmanship and Innovation
The Italian Trade Agency’s pavilion was a treasure trove of unexpected finishes. Futura Leathers presented luxurious embossed patterns – flower reliefs that practically begged to be touched – while Agglotech’s undulating terrazzo tiles offered a fresh, dynamic take on a classic material.
DesignTO’s Material Playgrounds
The DesignTO shows “Tape” and “Ensemble” further amplified this theme. “Tape,” a group show curated by Toronto design wunderkind Jamie Wolfond, featured MSDS’s “Tape Vessels.” Constructed from humble aluminum foil tape, these pieces offered a convincing and sparkling riff on traditional silverware. At “Ensemble,” a vibrant group show, Séjour Studio’s Finn side table introduced a whimsical new use for leather, with a moveable top that ingeniously doubles as storage.
Form Meets Function: Singular Furniture Moments
Beyond the avant-garde, Toronto Design Week also delivered fresh perspectives on practical furnishings, with young studios leading the charge in crafting compelling and functional pieces.
Coolican & Company’s Sculptural Dining
Coolican & Company’s Asquith dining table, rendered in elegant white ash, was a true showstopper. Inspired by “draped fabric and glacial formations,” its hefty top rested gracefully on two sculptural pedestals, embodying both solidity and artistic flair.
Gabriel Page Mobilier’s Tufted Wood
Gabriel Page’s pieces at Ensemble built upon his acclaimed “Quilted” series, where wood defies expectation by taking on a soft, tufted appearance. The rounded edges of his chair and ottoman were particularly inviting, showcasing a unique blend of comfort and craftsmanship.
Ourse: A New Canadian Voice
Ourse, an exciting new Canadian company, unveiled a comprehensive collection spanning mirrors, chairs, chaise longues, and wall shelves. Highlights included the elegant Peggy table by Studio Maron and the delightful Soufflé stool by SmallMediumLarge, whose forest green hue beautifully unified the collection.
Studio Drum’s Ingenious Inlays
Studio Drum made a memorable debut with its Drum Table, specially designed for Toronto’s Modulo Shop. Its three leg slabs ingeniously slot into the steel top, emerging as surface details that offer a modern, sophisticated take on traditional marquetry inlays.
Illuminating Artistry: Arty Lights
Lighting transcended mere utility, transforming into sculptural art forms that captivated the eye and illuminated spaces with unique character.
AND Ceramic Studio’s River Valley Inspiration
Saskatchewan’s AND Ceramic Studio showcased stunning ceramic sconces as part of the Illuminate feature exhibition at IDS. Inspired by the organic shapes of the Qu’Appelle River Valley, these pieces, also available as stacked floor lamps, demonstrated a beautiful fusion of nature and design, presented here in a compact, versatile cluster.
Lambert & Fils’ Artistic Collaboration
The collaboration between Lambert & Fils and Kwangho Lee also stood out, further solidifying the trend of lighting as an artistic statement within the design landscape.
Toronto Design Week 2026 proved that even in the chilliest of conditions, the Canadian design scene is ablaze with innovation, daring colour, and a profound commitment to pushing material boundaries. From the bold statements of established brands to the thoughtful creations of emerging studios, the week offered a compelling glimpse into the future of interior design – a future that is bright, experimental, and refreshingly vibrant.
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