Interior Design Show Toronto returns
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‘It’s one of the most energizing events of the year for our industry’
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The Interior Design Show (IDS) Toronto, the country’s largest design forum, returns January 22-25 with the promise of new products, superstar designers and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond.
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“I always say IDS is one of the most energizing events of the year for our industry. It’s a chance to see what’s new – new product, new materials, new ideas – but just as importantly, it’s an opportunity to connect in person,” says Brian Gluckstein of Gluckstein Design, one of Canada’s most celebrated design voices.
“We spend so much of our professional lives online now, so having time face to face with designers, vendors, craftspeople and sales representatives is invaluable. You simply can’t replicate those conversations, unexpected encounters and shared enthusiasm for design in a digital setting.”
SERENE ROOMS
Gluckstein will be on the main stage with Lynda Reeves, publisher of Canadian House & Home, on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. “We’re talking about serene and timeless rooms – what makes a space feel calm, inviting and enduring – and I’ll be sharing some of my best style tips from projects over the years,” he says.
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Gluckstein predicts a more serene approach to monochromatic design in 2026. “People are craving calm because it’s a hectic world and colour can actually help achieve that when it’s used intentionally. Choose one hue you love and carry it through the entire room: walls, trim, textiles and even some of the furnishings. It creates this beautiful, enveloping feel that’s incredibly soothing but still full of character,” he says
“We’re also seeing a continued move toward more eclectic interiors. It’s less about creating a room that looks like a particular era and more about mixing pieces that have personality, whether they’re new or vintage. People are finding great things everywhere – second-hand shops, online marketplaces, estate sales – and layering those discoveries into their homes. That mix of old and new brings so much warmth and individuality. My advice is to embrace it. If a piece speaks to you, bring it in and let it contribute to the story of the room.”
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Tommy Smythe, renowned Canadian designer and TV personality known for his masterful mix of fine art, vintage, antique and modern furnishings, will be on the main stage with Reeves on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. He will share the hallmarks of his style and how he built TOM Design Collective here in Toronto. A question-and-answer follows.
The House & Home 2025 Designer of the Year has been attending IDS since it was established in 1999 and credits it with “galvanizing” the design industry in Canada. “There’s no other place where you see your colleagues and people you admire and that counts for a lot when you’re a creative person. It’s not just about seeing what’s new and what’s innovative and notable, though that’s hugely important. It’s also about community and having conversations about design.”
NEO-CLASSICISM
What does he think will be trending in 2026? “We’re experiencing a resurgence and interest in neo-classic elements. When you look back to the 1820s, you saw things based on the Greek and Roman classics like fluted columns,” Smythe says. “In the 1920s, with the art deco movement, the same thing happened again. Now that we’re in the 2020s – another hundred years later – I wonder if that’s the reason we’re starting to see things like bathroom vanities with fluted details and crown mouldings with Greek and Roman details like dental moulding.”
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IKEA Canada returns to IDS Toronto with a 600-square-foot booth featuring a main kitchen, hidden prep kitchen, dining space and walk-in pantry. Fredrika Inger, global chief product and commercial officer at IKEA, will take the main stage on Friday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. with a keynote address that explores product development and design, innovation and how IKEA continues to shape life at home worldwide.
“Kitchens remain the heart of the home and across Canada we’re seeing a growing trend toward personalization. More people are choosing coloured kitchen door styles over traditional white, bringing personality and warmth into their spaces,” says EJ Middelhoven, head of home furnishing and retail design, IKEA.
“At IKEA, this means creating kitchens that are not only vibrant but also functional, with designated workstations, smart storage solutions and designs that seamlessly integrate with the rest of the home, sometimes with a few hidden surprises. We’re excited to return to IDS to showcase how beautiful, practical kitchens can be affordable and accessible for everyone.”
About IDS Toronto 2026
The Interior Design Show (IDS) Toronto 2026 takes place from Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building. Professional Trade Days are Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at interiordesignshow.com/toronto/. Learn more about keynote speakers at interiordesignshow.com/toronto/agenda/2/.
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