The 2025 edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) pulsed with more energy than recent years, as optimism echoed throughout the showrooms and studios.

Nature-Inspired Palettes Take Centre Stage

Manufacturers warmly welcomed crowds of visitors, unveiling a wave of new product launches that echoed themes from this year’s Milan Design Week, particularly a continued embrace of natural, earthy colourpalettes.

While these tones remained subtle, some brands found creative ways to reinvigorate them.

Elite, for instance, applied muted hues to office furniture like desks, offering a fresh, modern twist.

Innovative Furniture with a Fresh Twist

Orangebox’s newly opened showroom also leaned into this trend, showcasing collections in these softer, nature-inspired tones.

One standout moment was the Fin lounge chair from NaughtOne, both sculptural and supremely functional, it captured the attention of many design enthusiasts.

Sustainability at the Heart of Design

Sustainability was a core focus across CDW 2025. Brands like Flokk (through HÅG) and Fritz Hansen showcased displays that deconstructed their products to highlight how each component contributes to environmental impact.

With a strong emphasis on recycled materials and carbon footprint reduction, these exhibits underscored the idea that “every piece counts” in the fight against emissions.

Fabric innovators like Camira reinforced this message with their beautifully tactile and sustainable new textile, Wool Circle, crafted with circular economy principles.

Immersive Experiences and Creative Storytelling

CDW also took cues from Milan’s immersive exhibition style. Deadgood, for example, presented their latest rug collection via an atmospheric video installation, blending design with storytelling.

Elsewhere, installations like the evocative Church of Design and the Session House added depth and drama to the week’s events.

Art and Architecture on the Streets

The streets of Clerkenwell were alive with creativity too. Among the standout public art was Alex Chinneck’s mesmerising rippling building at the Charterhouse.

CBS added a whimsical touch by sending a retro ice cream van through the streets, a charming nod to design nostalgia.

Reflecting on Design Legacies

Knoll offered a deeper dive into design history with Breuer: Bauhaus to Brutalism, a compelling exhibition that explored the life and legacy of Marcel Breuer. It provided valuable context behind his iconic furniture and architectural works.

A Growing Focus on Inclusive Design

Importantly, CDW 2025 didn’t shy away from the broader conversations shaping the design world today. The growing awareness around neurodiversity in the workplace highlighted a more inclusive direction for office environments, recognising that our differences in interaction and cognition can lead to better, more empathetic design outcomes.

One of the standout sessions we attended during CDW 2025 was the Bene Talk, hosted in collaboration with Women in Office Design (WOD). The seminar challenged traditional perspectives with a compelling message, workplace design must move beyond mere functionality and visual appeal, it must engage the senses.

This thought-provoking panel explored the emerging importance of sensory design in shaping workplaces that nurture focus, wellbeing, creativity, and meaningful human connection. By activating all five senses, touch, sound, sight, smell, and even intuition, designers can craft environments that are for everyone.

Looking Ahead: A Hopeful Future for Design

Overall, CDW 2025 felt like a window into a brighter future. With a strong focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, it wasn’t just a celebration of design, it was a hopeful step forward for the industry and the world it shapes.