Artificial intelligence (AI) will impact on all areas of home decoration, contract and hospitality according to Messe Frankfurt, and this will be very evident at the next edition of Heimtextil which will take place in Frankfurt from January 13-16.

“Personalisation is nothing new, but AI is taking things to the next level and ushering in an ear of hyperindividuality,” said Ivonne Seifert, director of show organiser Messe Frankfurt during a press conference in London on October 22^nd. “It learns and adapts making everything faster and more scalable and enabling consumers to be much better informed in terms of what they really want.”

Impact

She cited three examples of the impact already being felt, including the AI tools of Style3D/Assyst such as iCreate and iWish, which are enabling designers to generate textile patterns and garment designs from text, sketches or images, while also automating high-quality photoshoots and e-commerce imagery.

Hotel chain Marriott is meanwhile deploying AI to streamline operations and personalise guest experiences and is currently piloting an AI-driven room-assignment tool that processes complex criteria in seconds. The group has also introduced an AI-powered “virtual concierge” called Renai that combines human curator insight with generative AI to recommend local dining, activities and services. Deeper personalisation is achieved via AI patterns in behaviour and preferences so that Marriott can anticipate needs, tailor offers and deliver a more seamless, relevant stay.

Wayfair is also leveraging AI across multiple fronts to enhance its home-goods e-commerce experience. Generative AI tools like Decorify and Muse enable customers to upload photos of their rooms or type in design prompts and receive AI-generated visual mood boards and “shoppable” room designs tailored to specific styles.

Trends 26/27

“Under the motto Lead the Change, Heimtextil 2025 will showcase how innovation, design and AI can turn current challenges into opportunities,” Seifert said.  “More than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will present new collections, technologies and business models across an optimised hall layout that enhances visibility and fosters new market connections.

At the heart of the fair are the Heimtextil Trends 26/27, developed with design platform Alcova Milano. Presented in Hall 6.1 under the theme Craft is a verb, they will explore the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and AI-powered creativity, revealing how digital tools and human skill can coexist to inspire the industry’s future.

Jennifer Castoldi, CEO of Trendease is also curating the New Talent Area in Hall 6.1, opening the doors to emerging creativity with a showcase providing a professional platform for up-and-coming textile designers to present their work, connect with global brands and gain visibility among international buyers, studios and industry leaders.

“We are creating a space where creativity meets opportunity,” said Castoldi in London. “Heimtextil is where the future of textiles begins and this area gives rising designers their first major international platform.”

Designer Patricia Urquiola is meanwhile creating among-all as an immersive installation in Hall 3.0 aiming to illustrate how AI-enhanced textiles can shape more human, sensory and sustainable interiors for retail, hospitality and design.

Interiors and contract

Hall 3.0 will also serve as the hub for holistic interior design, uniting key sectors such as wallpapers, carpets, curtains and sun protection. Exhibitors include Forest Group, Höpke, Linder, Marburger, Paulig, Sarlas, Tanriverdi, The Wallfashion House and York Wallcoverings, supported by the DecoTeam collective featuring AS Création Tapeten, Brink & Campman, Haro, Kadeco and Kobe.

A new Sleep & Meet area in Hall 4.0 will highlight innovation in bedding and mattresses, created with the German Mattress Industry Association. Leading names such as Auping Germany, Bettwaren Stendebach, Dormiente, EuroComfort Group, Brinkhaus, Frankenstolz and Rummel Matratzen will showcase their latest collections, connecting retailers, hospitality and volume buyers.

The Interior.Architecture.Hospitality programme continues to strengthen Heimtextil’s contract business focus, with the curated Library in Hall 3.1 and talks exploring textile applications in hospitality, healthcare and retail design. Meanwhile, Carpets & Rugs expands across four hall levels, joined by a new Flooring & Equipment area to unite the global floorcovering industry.

Heimtextil 2026 will also present the world’s largest range of upholstery and decorative fabrics, featuring leading international brands such as Dickson Constant Sunbrella, Edmund Bell, Manuel Revert, Vanelli Tekstil and Vescom Velvets, supported by fibre producers Angles Textil, Indorama Ventures Fibers and Korteks Mensucat.

Finally, the Global Home and Global Home Excellence sections will unite international manufacturers and pavilions from China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam, providing solutions from exclusive quality to high-volume private label.

www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com