Industry Insights, Design Trends and Disruptive Innovations for Interior Decoration

Debbie McKeegan shares key trends and innovations in the interior decoration industry taking place and demonstrated at recent European exhibitions in Germany and France. The interior decoration industry is adapting to challenges like overstock and supply chain disruptions by integrating digital and traditional methods, aiming for more agile and environmentally friendly solutions.

January always kick-starts the Interior Decor season with a plethora of shows across Europe - bringing the latest product launches and the global textile network together to share inspiration, insights and innovations. After another challenging and difficult year for many vendors and suppliers - it’s important to rebalance and to reevaluate supply chain connections whilst also exploring new markets and opportunities. We recently headed into Europe visiting both Frankfurt and Paris to catch up with industry peers, designers, innovators and industrial disruptors and to discover where the latest design, product and commercial opportunities reside and the business they enable for the print community.

Beginning with design we interviewed the team at Haley Studio’s, a second-generation design team who create beautiful textile and wallcovering designs and prints for the Interior Decoration markets. Rebecca and Richard both identified the markets growing appreciation of the designer, the originator and the subconscious human appreciation of the artisan skills of a true creative – all of which suggests a kick-back to AI. Haley’s artwork blends both paint and pixel. Each piece of artwork begins on the physical drawing board, and is hand painted by this family team with incredible painterly skill, passed down from the founder of the business Geoff Hayley. After which, the design pieces are scanned and input into their design software for final editing – namely layout, colouring and repeat.

CAPTION: “The Haley team identified the markets growing appreciation of the designer, the originator and the subconscious human appreciation of the artisan skills of a true creative – all of which suggests a kick-back to AI?” Credit: HALEY STUDIOS

Artisan design and print skills reign supreme over at Surface Print another family business, manufacturing printed wallcoverings using both analog and digital technology. The company was founded by James Watsons great grandparents in 1838, which is incidentally the name of their namesake in-house brand. In Paris launching their latest collection created via a collaboration with the V&A museum in London, the patina of time is evident in each page of this new wallpaper collection - which again celebrates and promotes the artist and hand-crafted skills of the designer: “Inspired by the vast archive of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, V&A Decorative Papers is a rich collection of nine wallpaper patterns in over 30 colourways, encapsulating design excellence and craftsmanship. An enchanting selection of reimagined, timeless designs, each with their own fascinating story to tell.”

CAPTION: “In collaboration once more with Emma Shipley, Sanderson Design Group launches their latest line which features a rich and luxurious range of printed wallpapers and textiles”. Credit: FESPA

Meanwhile and still in Paris, The Sanderson Design Group celebrated their latest furnishing design collections. In collaboration once more with Emma Shipley, who’s latest line features a rich and luxurious range of printed wallpapers and textiles including: sumptuous velvets, cotton satins and beautiful embroidered textile drapes – all manufactured using both digital and analog technology. A truly Maximalist ensemble, manufactured to the highest standard. Each and every line and brushstroke created by Emma is replicated in the finest detail. With a vivid, bright colour palate and a whole host of whimsical characters this collection once again celebrates the artist and craftsmanship.
It's also worthy of note that Standfast & Barracks, the textile printing arm of the Sanderson Design Group recently and in partnership with Anstey Wallpaper Company, announced the relaunch of its renowned online Archive platform.

Featuring over 20,000 decorative artefacts, this treasure trove of textiles, quilts, wallpapers, woodblocks, and ledgers—some dating back to the 17th century—has now been enriched with a recent acquisition of more than 1,000 unique historical documents.
The Archive provides an unparalleled resource for industry professionals, designers, and historians alike, offering insight into centuries of decorative design. To ensure that this incredible collection is more accessible than ever, Standfast & Barracks has implemented significant improvements to the user experience. The updated platform boasts a clean, modern design, enhanced navigation features, and intuitive tools that make exploring the Archive easier and more efficient. The Archive’s unparalleled collection spans the spectrum of style, geography, and history, enabling customers to access inspiration from across generations and cultures.

“With innovation and sustainability at the forefront of its mission, Standfast & Barracks encourages designers and businesses to utilise the Archive as a source for ethical and enduring inspiration”. This aligns with the company’s commitment to preserving artistic heritage while driving forward-thinking design and manufacturing solutions.

Back in Frankfurt and nestled within the design and sourcing halls – Innovators and disrupters met with the manufacturing community to showcase new software and technology solutions for the design, print and production of both textiles and wallcoverings. Here are some of the highlights:

CAPTION: Kornits collaboration with Niso Furiniture showcased xDI dimensional surface printing directly onto beautiful, printed boucle, velvet, sheer voiles, vegan leather and luxury textile substrates”. Credit: KORNIT DIGITAL

Chris Govier of Kornit Digital shared his textile Industry Insights and explored their latest collaboration with Niso, a furniture manufacturer from Tel Aviv. This collaboration showcased xDI dimensional surface printing directly onto beautiful, printed boucle, velvet, sheer voiles, vegan leather and luxury, sustainable woven substrates. Kornit's digital ink-jet technology allows for unique xDI (extra dimensional) printing directly onto various fabrics, including both cellulose and synthetic materials, leather and textured textile surfaces - creating new - innovative applications across the interior decoration landscape of design. Chris Govier explained “Kornit technology enables virtual design and product prototyping for on-demand production at any volume - reducing overproduction and waste, which is significant in the home decor and fashion industries. This manufacturing approach enhances supply chain efficiency, fosters brand loyalty, and offers aftermarket opportunities, emphasising creativity, speed, circular design and sustainability”.

We interviewed Frank Maeder, CEO of NedGraphics and Optitex who discussed the importance of creativity, productivity, and sustainability in the home textile industry, particularly in interior decor and furnishings. Highlighting the integration of artisan techniques with modern technology and emphasising the role of technology in enabling creatives to work efficiently. The conversation also touches on the significance of colour management, noting a trend towards neutral tones and the challenges in accurately reproducing these shades. Quote: “technology should alleviate industry pain points, allowing creatives to focus on their craft without technical hurdles”.

Meanwhile over at AVA CAD CAM Ltd, Karlos Gordobil discussed the latest innovations in their software suite. Key updates include a modern, intuitive interface, AI-powered design tools, and a shift to continuous release for faster customer feedback. Now with cloud keys for flexibility and newly introduced live chat for immediate customer support. The new features aim to enhance productivity for designers and industry practitioners whilst also emphasising “the importance of digital tools in an industry where 90% of printing remains traditional/analog. The integration of digital and traditional printing methods is crucial for seamless production across the supply chain” Karlos Gordobil explained.

Fotoba showcased a live demonstration of their integration with the Canon Colorado series enabling on-demand manufacturing with multiple printers and a single cutting system. They demonstrated a jumbo roll system capable of holding 400 kilograms of media, with a print run of 700 to 1000 meters. The XLA cutter, which reads barcodes and positions blades automatically, ensures precise cutting with a tolerance of 0.068 millimeters. This technology, which supports both mass and bespoke production, is noted for its low electric consumption and environmental benefits and moves to further streamline the manufacturing of printed wallcoverings.

Last but not least, Mimaki brought their TRAPIS print solution to Frankfurt and provided a real-time demonstration of the power of this new technology to disrupt existing applications and markets and to foster and nurture entrepreneurial growth for the print industry. “The transformational power of TRAPIS Pigment print transfer technology lies in its inherent commitment to sustainability, manufacturing agility and efficiency. Not only does it significantly reduce ink usage, but it also offers impressive energy savings. Better still, this technology boasts a waterless pigment print process, a key factor in endorsing a more circular production approach, echoing trends towards sustainability in a world grappling with the impacts of climate change” added Marc Verbeem.

In summary: It's clear that as the Interior Decoration market flexes to meet the requirements of an industry now facing the same challenges as the fashion industry namely: Over stock, Geo-Politics, Energy, Regulation and an emerging Price War of weaponised Tariffs – Design, technology, print and manufacturing process remain ever entwined and are developing to offer a simplified, labour lite production method – now critical in an exposed supply chain - if designers and manufacturers are to remain agile, efficient and commercially viable.

Discover the latest innovations in interior decoration at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, Europe's leading print and signage exhibition taking place from 6 - 9 May at Messe Berlin, Germany. It will showcase the most innovative products, visionary concepts, and latest developments in the future of print. Use promo code FESJ507 to receive the super early bird discount and pay only € 25 to register to visit, register here.