Our visit to Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 highlighted a continued shift towards softer, more human-centred workplace environments, where hospitality, wellbeing and flexibility are increasingly shaping the future of office design.

Across showrooms including Howe, Muuto, Frovi, Silen, MDD, Framery, Inclass, Lintex and Icons of Denmark, there was a strong emphasis on acoustic privacy, adaptable collaboration spaces and residential-inspired interiors designed to support hybrid working and neurodiversity.

A consistent visual language emerged throughout the week, with sculptural furniture forms, curved silhouettes and layered textures appearing across seating, booths and collaborative settings. A mix of both dark and warm oak finishes, ribbed timber detailing, smoked glass, sustainably manufactured upholstery and tactile fabrics created inviting, calming environments that felt intentionally less corporate and more lifestyle-driven.

Colour palettes leaned heavily into earthy and biophilic tones with sage greens, terracotta, blush pinks, oxblood, warm neutrals and muted charcoal shades consistently featuring throughout the exhibition showrooms. The integration of planting, soft lighting and sheer curtain dividers reinforced the growing importance of wellness and emotional comfort within workplace settings.

Acoustic solutions and privacy pods remained one of the defining trends across Clerkenwell this year, evolving beyond purely functional products into highly architectural, aesthetically integrated design pieces. Overall, the mood across Clerkenwell was warmer, calmer and more emotionally engaging, balancing functionality, craftsmanship and sustainability with a strong focus on user experience and wellbeing.