Decorex Joburg 2026: Four Days of Home, Décor and Design Inspiration in Sandton

Johannesburg’s biggest celebration of décor, interiors and contemporary African design returns to the Sandton Convention Centre from Thursday, 30 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026.

Open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, Decorex Joburg 2026 will bring homeowners, renovators, architects, interior designers, makers, suppliers and design enthusiasts together for four days of inspiration, practical advice, product discovery and business networking. The event will once again take place alongside 100% Design Africa, creating an expansive showcase of established brands, emerging talent and forward-thinking design.

Whether you are preparing to move, planning a major renovation, refreshing a single room or simply curious about the latest developments in furniture, lighting, kitchens and lifestyle design, Decorex offers an opportunity to explore it all in person.

More than three decades of design influence

Decorex has been part of South Africa’s creative landscape since the first Johannesburg exhibition was held in 1994 with 144 exhibitors. Since then, the platform has hosted more than 100 events, supported the launch and growth of thousands of businesses and developed into one of the continent’s most influential décor, design and lifestyle showcases.

Today, Decorex is evolving beyond the traditional exhibition format. It positions itself as a hybrid marketplace and business growth accelerator, combining physical events with digital platforms, editorial content and industry resources.

The result is an event that does more than display beautiful products. It creates connections between consumers, makers, retailers, suppliers, specifiers and professionals working throughout the built environment.

The Soft Life comes to Johannesburg

The theme for Decorex Africa 2026 is The Soft Life, an exploration of how design can support more comfortable, intentional and human-centred ways of living.

Instead of focusing only on how a room photographs, the theme considers how a space makes people feel. It asks how architecture, furniture, lighting, materials and interior layouts can encourage rest, connection, wellbeing and everyday enjoyment.

Visitors can expect environments that celebrate tactile finishes, intelligent layouts, natural elements, thoughtful craftsmanship and a more relaxed understanding of luxury. The broader Decorex Africa 2026 programme also places significant emphasis on contemporary African creativity and locally relevant approaches to designing better spaces.

Five levels of ideas, products and experiences

Decorex Joburg is designed as a full-day experience spread across five levels of the Sandton Convention Centre. Each area will introduce visitors to different aspects of decorating, renovating, building and contemporary living.

The show will cover major interior categories including furniture, lighting, textiles, appliances, kitchens, bathrooms, finishes, homeware and renovation solutions. Visitors will be able to compare different brands, examine materials closely, speak directly to suppliers and discover products that may not be available through conventional retail channels.

Among the listed 2026 feature areas are The Soft Life Design Pods, The Bedroom Project, The Kitchen Project, the Kramerville District, the Recharge Garage and The Sacred Pause, a bathroom installation exploring the restorative relationship between water, light, ceramics and considered interior design.

The co-located 100% Design Africa showcase will add a strong contemporary dimension through platforms such as 100% Local, 100% Fresh, FloodLight and the Capitec Design MRKT. These spaces will place particular focus on South African design, emerging creative talent, independent makers and new approaches to lighting, materials and craftsmanship.

Practical inspiration for renovations and home improvements

Decorex Joburg is not reserved for people undertaking luxury projects. It can also be valuable for visitors looking for practical, achievable ways to improve an existing home.

Seeing products in person allows you to understand scale, texture, colour and quality more accurately than you can through a screen. You can sit on furniture, compare surfaces, inspect fittings and ask suppliers about installation, maintenance, warranties, lead times and customisation.

Visitors should consider bringing photographs, floor plans and measurements of the spaces they want to improve. A clear list of priorities will make it easier to focus on relevant exhibitors and gather information that can be used after the show.

Learn from designers and industry experts

Education and conversation will form an important part of the 2026 programme.

Future Talks, brought to you by Oggie, will gather designers, makers, architects, editors, curators and industry leaders for discussions inspired by The Soft Life. The programme will explore subjects including interiors, wellbeing, materials, lighting, luxury, hospitality, architecture and artificial intelligence.

The Discovery Home Loans DIY Studio will present expert-led sessions and practical demonstrations covering paint, décor, tools, technology, refurbishment and responsible ways to plan and finance home improvements.

Food and design will also meet at the @home Cooking Studio, where chefs will prepare dishes in a functioning kitchen fitted with contemporary appliances, surfaces, cookware and tableware. Visitors will be able to see how thoughtfully chosen products perform in a real cooking environment rather than simply viewing them on a shelf.

Follow the complete property journey

A major addition to the 2026 Joburg event is The Property Show by Private Property, brought to the exhibition in partnership with Nedbank.

The Property Show will broaden the experience beyond decorating and furnishing by helping visitors understand different stages of the homeownership journey. Its programme is divided into three streams: Start, for aspiring and first-time buyers; Grow, for people interested in property investment and portfolio development; and Live, which focuses on renovation, design and improving the value and enjoyment of an existing property.

Visitors will be able to hear from financial, real-estate and property specialists on subjects such as affordability, credit scores, home loans, investing, buying, selling and renting. Access to The Property Show and its theatre sessions is included with a Decorex Joburg ticket.

A valuable platform for trade professionals

For architects, decorators, developers, contractors, procurement professionals, retailers, hospitality buyers and other members of the design trade, Decorex Joburg provides a concentrated sourcing and networking environment.

Approved trade professionals who register before the event qualify for complimentary multi-day access. The trade programme includes exhibitor halls, feature installations, networking opportunities and CPD workshops. An upgraded VIP Trade option provides additional benefits, while Decorex Joburg’s business matchmaking programme creates opportunities for targeted meetings between suppliers, buyers and potential partners.

Trade visitors can use the event to find new suppliers, evaluate materials and finishes, identify products for current projects and establish relationships with brands across residential, retail, hospitality and commercial design.

Related: Meet the Gauteng Wine Brands Exhibiting at the Proudly South African Local Wine Expo 2026

An opportunity for brands to grow

For exhibitors, Decorex is designed as more than a temporary retail space. Its curated approach gives businesses access to design-conscious consumers, professional buyers, specifiers and potential commercial partners.

It is particularly useful for businesses launching a new product, entering a different market, building brand visibility or seeking direct feedback from customers and industry professionals. The combination of consumer attendance, trade engagement and media exposure makes the event a valuable growth platform for established businesses and emerging design brands alike.

Design, food and places to pause

The Soft Life theme will extend beyond the exhibition stands into the overall visitor experience.

Restaurants, bars and resting areas will be integrated throughout the show, giving visitors places to eat, meet, work or simply take a break between floors. Listed experiences include a Japanese-inspired dining destination, a pop-up wine bar, a street-food market, ice-cream carts and the art-led Soft Life VIP Lounge.

These hospitality spaces reinforce the idea that good design is not only something to observe. It can shape how people gather, eat, communicate and move through a shared environment.

At Decorex Joburg, everyone belongs

Decorex Joburg promotes an inclusive event culture in which the different identities and backgrounds of exhibitors, attendees, partners and event colleagues are recognised and celebrated.

The message is simple: design becomes more interesting, relevant and powerful when a wider variety of people, experiences and creative perspectives are included.

Decorex Joburg 2026 event details

Ticket prices were published by the organiser for the 2026 event and should be confirmed on the official booking platform before purchase.

Reimagine the way you live

Decorex Joburg 2026 offers the chance to move beyond online mood boards and experience design with all the senses. Visitors can touch materials, test products, compare suppliers, listen to experts and discover the people behind some of Africa’s most exciting design businesses.

For anyone building a new home, planning a renovation, updating an interior or simply looking for fresh ideas, the four-day showcase promises an inspiring look at how thoughtful design can make everyday life more comfortable, functional and meaningful.

Decorex Joburg takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 30 July to 2 August 2026, from 10:00 to 18:00 daily.