IDS Toronto 2026: Design as a Living Laboratory

Toronto, ON — January 2026

In collaboration with: Cristina Belmonte

Last week, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre transformed into a sprawling hub of intellectual and aesthetic discovery. IDS (Interior Design Show) Toronto 2026 welcomed tens of thousands of architects, designers, students, and enthusiasts for four days of rigorous exploration and creative exchange.

This year’s edition broke the "trade show" mould, reimagining the floor as a living laboratory. Rather than a passive backdrop for products, the space itself became a medium for inquiry. Through three major features—How We Work, Furniture Forecast, and ILLUMINATE—IDS pivoted from traditional displays toward immersive, spatial experiments.

Exploring New Frontiers

Visitors navigated surreal environments that tackled the most pressing cultural questions of our time:

• The Hybrid Evolution: Exploring the dissolving boundaries between office, home, and hospitality.

• Material Reckoning: Redefining quality and longevity in an era of environmental consciousness.

• Architectural Light: Witnessing how illumination is transcending fixture design to become part of the architecture itself.

  
  

The intellectual heart of the show was anchored by global design icons Yves Béhar, Eames Demetrios, and Tatiana Bilbao. Their keynotes underscored a singular message: design is no longer just about objects; it is about systems, rituals, and the future of human behaviour.

"IDS has always been about creating a platform for ideas, not just products, [] even in the snow, the energy was extraordinary. We invited the community to experience design as a living discipline"Will Sorrell, National Director, IDS Canada

Image courtesy of: IDS

Celebrating Excellence: 2026 Award Winners

The calibre of this year’s presentations was exceptional. The Booth Awards jury recognized those who pushed the boundaries of branding and spatial design.

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients:

●       Judges’ Choice: Hollis & Morris — Booth 502

●       Sustainability: Coolican & Company — Booth 1334

●       50–199 sq. ft.: Legacy North — Booth 2140

●       200 sq. ft. Gold Award: Baril Design — Booth 1640

●       201–499 sq. ft. Gold Award: San Marco — Booth 934 Designed by Bettencourt Manor

●       500 sq. ft. and above: Montauk Sofa — Booth 1310

Studio North & Prototype Awards

Dedicated to the next generation of talent and supported by Yorkville University, these awards highlight the "ones to watch" in independent design.

• Juror’s Choice (Prototype): Daniel Roe

• Juror’s Choice (Studio North): Peak Woodworking

• Special Recognition: Shu Wang (Prototype) & Kari Serrao (Studio North)

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

Image from the event Interior Design Show. Image courtesy of: IDS

The Future of Canadian Design

As the doors closed on another successful year, IDS Toronto 2026 reaffirmed its status as the vital pulse of Canada’s design community. It remains an essential arena for connection—a reminder that even in the depths of a Toronto winter, the future of design is bright, bold, and experimental.