Clerkenwell 2025 had all the usual trimmings – studio visits, street parties, and even a little bit of sunshine. But beneath the buzz, there was a clear shift. This year’s design scene wasn’t just about looking good. It was about focusing on designs that delivered more – for people, for places and for the planet.
From regenerative design to sensory-savvy spaces, this year’s event delivered a fresh wave of innovation which left our team feeling more inspired than ever.
Here are the trends and trailblazers that grabbed our attention:
- Smarter Design (that gets better with age)
Our brilliant client Blum took a refreshingly no-nonsense approach to aging and accessibility. Their aging suit (yes, you read that right) let you experience what it’s like to be 80 – reduced mobility, vision changes, joint pain. Suddenly that low cupboard seems a bit further away, doesn’t it?
Their fix? Plinth steps. Clever vertical storage. Kitchens designed around real-life movement, not imaginary triangles. With the average UK kitchen sticking around for 15-20 years, they’re using exciting innovations to develop industry-leading, future-proof solutions.
- Sustainability with Substance
This year, green wasn’t just a colour trend – it was a commitment.
Kronospan demonstrated the action they are taking on sustainability already, with 92% recycled content in their chipboard, a brand-new recycling centre in the UK, and partnerships that allow waste materials to be reused up to seven times. As the UK’s largest private forestry owner, they’re thinking big and long-term.
Camira also took sustainability deeper by inviting Professor Becky Earley, a leader in circular design, to deliver a fascinating talk. Her approach? “Less and longer”. Becky talked about how we should focus on owning fewer, better-quality pieces that will last. Drawing inspiration from fashion and material flow, her vision is challenging interiors brands to rethink how we produce and consume.
Crown x Forbo collaborated to launch a range of five new colour palettes, grounded in their detailed market and trend research. All the colour palettes inspired us (their vibrant Disrupt palette was a definite head-turner) but we were particularly impressed with their “G Local” palette. The visually rich colours were created using recycled materials and grounded in local sourcing. A perfect example of good design, doing good.
- Sensory Design
Karndean nailed neurodiversity-friendly flooring with new ranges that support hyper- or hypo-sensitive needs. From bold contrasts to soft neutrals – their display was eye-catching and communicated the importance of building accessibility and personalisation into interior design.
Meanwhile, Ethimo’s garden installation was a masterclass in texture and flow. They showcased furniture that looked like it had sprouted from the ground. Natural, sculptural and quietly luxe.
Kaindl also gave us a glimpse into future trends, showcasing their upcoming flooring ranges with less grain and beautiful worktops which left no fingerprints. They also gave flooring a glossy glow-up with high-shine finishes in jewel tones and a product which closely matched the pantone colour of the year. Truffle beige anyone?
- Design That Dares to Be Different
Our wildcard favourite had to be the collaboration between Jung X Ippolito Fleitz Group, who came together to create a big ball of fun (literally). Their giant sphere of interactive switches and light projections was part tech demo, part design flex, and all joy. It glowed, it clicked, it revealed hidden messages, and it certainly grabbed our attention!
From smart kitchens to sensory floors to flooring that gives back to the land it sits on, 2025’s big theme was clear: design needs to do more. It’s not just about what looks good – it’s about what works. For everyone.
At Cairn, we help home and interiors brands tell these stories in a way that sticks.
Whether you’re pioneering sustainable products, designing for real people, or just doing something a bit brilliant – we would love to help take your brand further.
Let’s talk.
