What not to miss at Decorex Joburg 2026, floor by floor

Decorex Joburg returns with five levels of design, property, food and ideas, transforming

the Sandton Convention Centre into a building-wide view of how South Africa is living

now.

A single day at Decorex Joburg has never been quite enough. This year, that feels more true than ever.

From 30 July to 2 August 2026, the show takes over five levels of the Sandton Convention Centre, in partnership with 2026 Lifestyle Partners Lexus and Santam, with each floor dedicated to a different part of the home and the wider design industry. Decorex is always a ‘pick-your-own-adventure’ sort of experience, but visitors are invited to begin right at the start with property and renovation on Level -2, move through kitchens and bathrooms on Level 0, spend time inside contemporary African design at 100% Design Africa on Level 2, shop independent makers at the Capitec Design Market on Level 4 and finish among the country’s leading décor and furniture brands on Level 5.

The 2026 edition is shaped by The Soft Life, a theme that looks beyond what we’ve been

told the future of design should look like, to the ways our homes can support comfort, connection, restoration and everyday pleasure.

Here’s how to make your way through the building.

Level -2: Renovate, build and make better property decisions

Level -2 brings the practical side of creating a home into focus. The Property Show by

Private Property, in partnership with Nedbank, joins Decorex Joburg for the first time,

bringing together property, renovation, home improvement and expert advice under one

roof. Whether you’re buying, selling, renovating or working out what comes next, the floor is designed to help visitors make better-informed decisions.

The adjoining Private Property Studio hosts conversations spanning property, interiors,

renovation and lifestyle, while the DIY Studio presented by Discovery Bank Home Loans

offers demonstrations, tools and practical guidance for people ready to take on projects at home.

Also on this floor is The Recharge Garage, proudly brought to you by Lexus, featuring

Tshepo Sealetsa. Rather than treating the garage as a purely functional afterthought, the

installation reimagines it as a softer and more integrated extension of contemporary living.

Before heading up, make sure to refuel at Decorex’s annual Street Food Market - a hub of

culinary cool.

Level 0: Kitchens, bathrooms and the rituals of daily life

Level 0 is dedicated to the two rooms that ask the most of design: the kitchen and

bathroom.

At the centre of the floor is The Sacred Pause by Lifestyle Ceramics, in collaboration with

Kohler and Cocoon Lifestyle. Conceived as a contemporary sanctuary, the installation explores our relationship with water through architecture, surface and light. A circular, hut-like structure created in collaboration with rural weavers in KwaZulu-Natal creates an atmosphere of retreat, with Kohler pieces treated as ritual objects and large-format

materials by Lifestyle Ceramics, grounding the space in the spirit of the soil.

Nearby, The Kitchen Project presented by Cosentino brings together bespoke installations by Eljen Kitchens, with Cosentino surfaces, Franke taps and sinks, and Hisense appliances.

The kitchens interpret The Soft Life through organic layouts, tactile finishes and spaces

made for living as much as they are for cooking.

The @home Cooking Studio, built by Sprung Outdoor Living, returns with a full programme of live demonstrations, recipes and culinary personalities, with the country’s most exciting names in food celebrating the retailer’s celebrated homeware range. The Eiger Experience with Oakmont Kitchens pairs premium kitchen design with appliances and live food experiences too - another great foodie space. For brunch, Kanpai Restaurant brings an immersive Japanese dining experience inspired by

the laneways of Tokyo and Kyoto to the centre of the hall. Woolworths Grab & Go offers

coffee and convenient refreshments throughout the day.

Level 2: A whole floor of African design

Level 2 belongs to 100% Design Africa, with an entire floor devoted to the people, objects and ideas shaping contemporary design across the continent.

For more than two decades, the platform has championed African design and presented

work by thousands of the continent’s makers. This year, the floor brings together individual studios, international partners, emerging designers and a series of major curated features.

100% Local presents a survey of South African furniture, objects and material-led design,

including work by Louw Roets, Stripped Collective, uMugqa Studio, Woodbender and

Rialheim.

100% Iconic celebrates Decorex Africa’s Designer of the Year, LRNCE, through a layered

presentation of the Marrakech studio’s artworks, tapestries and handcrafted pieces.

Ten x Ten offers a bird’s-eye view of what feels important in South African design right now, bringing together 100 objects across ten categories, from textiles, wall coverings and tiles to seating, basketry, ceramics, glassware and lighting.

The new FloodLight feature, developed with spatial lighting designer One to One by Martin Döller, explores how light changes the way a room is felt. The presentation includes work by Mash.T, TheUrbanative, MOS Lighting, Joe Paine, Dark and Luminaire d’Afrique.

At 100% Fresh, students from Tshwane University of Technology and Greenside Design

Centre respond to The Soft Life, with Greenside also introducing Plotville, a new project

examining emerging creative practice in Johannesburg.

The floor extends beyond the exhibition into food, drink and conversation. The Good Table, created by Studio Botanicus with Food, I Love You, Lounge by Marble & Mauve and Wolkberg, brings together interiors, hospitality and the art of gathering. The Social Library by Wolkberg Casting Studio and Nnaw Dining reimagines the show bar as a cultural destination shaped by cocktails, food, music, objects and material culture.

Visitors can also explore a dedicated presentation by Design Week Lagos, the winning work from the AIDA Awards, and The Collector’s Room by Russell Kaplan Auctioneers. The latter brings together collectible furniture, art and objects spanning iconic 20th-century design, classical African art, Chinese antiquities and international and South African pieces. Highlights include a limited-edition Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise Longue produced by Cassina with Louis Vuitton, and an Eileen Gray Rivoli Tea Table. The collection will culminate in a live online auction on Sunday, 2 August.

Throughout the day, Future Talks brought to you by Oggie brings designers, architects,

curators and international guests to the stage for a CPD-accredited programme of keynotes and panel discussions.

Levels 4 and 5: Shop independent design

Restore with a little retail therapy at the Capitec Design MRKT, which stretches across

Levels 4 and 5, turning the journey between floors into a hugely buyable celebration of

independent designer-makers.

Visitors are invited to discover ceramics, art, homeware, accessories, gifts, food and smaller design-led objects from some of the continent’s most exciting makers and emerging brands.

It’s the place to encounter a new name, buy something directly from its creator and leave

the show carrying a piece of the wider design story home.

Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream will also be on site to refresh and restore, along with curated DJ sets. It’s going to be a vibe.

Level 5: The country’s décor and furniture brands under one roof

Level 5 brings together the broadest view of the South African interiors market, with

furniture, textiles, lighting, art, accessories and complete rooms presented by leading

national brands and independent studios.

Sleep is a revolutionary act of self-care, and is celebrated at the show with spaces dedicated to making the most of your bedtime rituals. Granny Goose and Volpes - two of the country’s premier bedroom brands - bring their luxe designs to dedicated spaces on the floor. Nearby The Bedroom Project asks important questions about the future of sleep, with designer-led bedroom settings exploring rest, atmosphere and interiors designed to inspire.

At Moments of Attention by Woolworths, the home is approached through the senses.

Texture, scent, light and carefully chosen objects come together in an immersive

environment exploring the small details that shape how a space makes us feel.

The Soft Life Design Pods give five studios room to interpret the theme through complete interiors. Chivalry Designs, Noom Custom Furniture, Samani Africa, Meraki Design and Décor, and Misitu Showroom each offer a different perspective on comfort, wellbeing and intentional living.

The Kramerville District creates a retail-meets-gallery neighbourhood for some of Joburg’s best-known furniture and interior brands, bringing the energy of the city’s design precinct into the convention centre. The floor is also home to the Bodega Pop-up Wine Bar, offering tastings, food and a comfy spot for a breather between all the beauty.

A place to pause on every floor

As part of Decorex’s invitation to slow down and appreciate the benefits of humane design, food and hospitality have been thoughtfully integrated throughout this year’s show, rather than confined to a single food court.

Visitors can move between Japanese dining at Kanpai, cocktails at The Social Library, a long-table meal at The Good Table, wine at Bodega, the Oli Mazi Market on Level 4 and streetfood on Level -2.

For VIP ticket holders, the experience is elevated further in the plush Soft Life VIP Lounge, providing an art-led space for conversation, meetings and a break from the floor.

Across four days, Decorex Joburg offers a view of the entire home and the industry around it. There are practical answers for renovations, major new kitchens and bathrooms, collectible design, student work, independent makers, property expertise, international voices and enough places to eat and drink for this year’s show to not only inspire, but also to restore.

Come with questions, comfortable shoes and room in the boot.

Decorex Joburg 2026

Dates: Thursday, 30 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026

Times: 10:00–18:00 daily

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude Street, Sandton

Tickets: Adults R160 online / R170 onsite; pensioners and students R130; children aged 12–16 R50; children under 12 free; VIP R450

Trade: Free with pre-registration; R170 onsite; VIP Trade R550.

About Decorex Africa

Decorex Africa is Africa’s premier decor and design platform, bringing together the

continent’s most exciting brands, designers and creative voices across two flagship shows in Cape Town and Joburg. Showcasing the best in interiors, furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and lifestyle, Decorex offers a curated view of design that reflects both global direction and local innovation.

Across both cities, the exhibitions combine immersive installations, designer-led showcases and interactive experiences, creating dynamic spaces to discover new ideas, engage with emerging talent and explore the future of living.