What’s in store for Canadian design? Six industry leaders weigh in

January is always a beginning of sorts, and that’s particularly true in Canadian architecture, interiors and home decor. The country’s two largest design gatherings, the DesignTO festival and the Interior Design Show fair in Toronto, fill the first month of the year with panels, showcases and exhibitions focused on what’s current, what’s new and, most importantly, what’s next.

Given the spate of challenges facing not just design but culture at large – the trade war, a dicey economy, the head-spinning pace of news and social-media trends and the rise of AI – exhibitors and attendees hopping between showroom appointments and schmoozy parties will have a lot on their minds.

“Over the last year, there has been a lot of uncertainty,” says Will Sorrell, the Victoria-based director of both IDS Toronto and its companion show in Vancouver. “It’s been tough for a lot of people in design.”

What to look for during Toronto’s jam-packed design week

Heidi Earnshaw (left) with Tim Steadman (Studio Manager/Lead Fabricator) in her studio in Lanark, Ont.Alexa Mazzarello/The Globe and Mail

According to Sorrell, there’s still a lot of unpredictability in workplace design as clients weigh how to attract people back to offices, while hospitality design is a bright spot. “People weren’t sure if tourism would come back after the pandemic,” he says. “People are spending a lot of money on experiences right now.” Other growth areas include high-end residential design and all things Canadian. “Nearly all the architects and designers I’m speaking with are prioritizing Canadian design in their projects,” Sorrell says.

We tend to educate ourselves about design online, but given the long to-do list of design week happenings (see The Globe’s 2026 list of must-see exhibitions), it’s clear that in-person gatherings are still essential for the design community. “For us, it’s really important to show in Toronto,” says Nicholas Sangaré, an interior and industrial designer from Montreal who has co-organized the DesignTO group exhibition Ensemble: Pot-au-feu, showcasing the work of Quebec talents. “I love meeting people face to face because it gives me a chance to tell the story of the design and build a real connection.”

Here, six leading Canadian design voices share their perspectives on the state of their industry now.

“I’m pretty inactive on social media. I’m always trying to do better, but never quite seem to get around to it. I’ve also been in business for 25 years and have a strong client base, largely made up of repeat customers and referrals who really value craftsmanship. I recently completed 12 pieces for a client – it’s the third house of his I’ve worked on. Making furniture by hand can seem quaint, but I come from a fine arts background and have always wanted to spend my time in the studio. That’s where I like to be; that’s what sustains me. I don’t generally appreciate anything that pulls me away from that for too long. Even when I teach, I tell my students: your digital skills are important, but so are your manual skills. I hope there will always be a place for craft.”

A chair designed and created by Heidi Earnshaw Design.
Alexa Mazzarello/The Globe and Mail

“Lately, we’ve been seeing a number of our residential clients, and even hospitality clients, wanting less tech in their spaces: fewer charging stations, fewer TVs and less electronics overall. It might seem at odds with our tech-obsessed times, but I think people are craving less distraction and more connection. Connection is especially important to me in 2026 – connections between people and cultures, and to my own culture. During DesignTO, Mason is hosting an open house where chef Eva Chin will serve a traditional Chinese soup. It’s something I drank as a kid. I hope it brings people together and helps warm them up from the cold.”

Light Gathering in the Yuàn 光聚院心 AI rendering by Mason Studio.
Mason Studio/Supplied

“Over the last year, I think many of us have been reflecting on how precious – and vulnerable – a country can be. Our national sovereignty is not something we should take for granted. There is so much to be proud of here, and so much worth protecting. Our wealth of natural, high-quality materials, such as our woods, sets us apart globally, as does our design talent. When I started Hollis+Morris about 10 years ago, I had a stubborn determination to produce my designs in Canada. I’m so glad I did. My team of 27 craftspeople can’t always compete on price with global mass manufacturers, but we can compete on quality. That’s one reason we’ve continued to grow over the last year, and why I believe there will always be a place for Canadian manufacturing.”

Mischa Couvrette — STALA Pendant by Hollis + Morris.
Hollis + Morris/Supplied

“In times of economic uncertainty, there’s often a fear that architecture will lose ambition – whether in sustainability, scale, size or materiality. But I believe the role of the architect is to be an optimistic pragmatist. We can always look for opportunities within constraints. Periods like this can lead to architecture that is more thoughtful and nuanced. Rather than being compromised by the challenges of the moment, architecture can act as a buffer against them. I work with many arts, cultural and non-profit organizations, and I hope my designs double down on helping them deliver their mandates. Those mandates – to uplift and enlighten – feel more necessary now than ever.”

Tura Cousins Wilson — Montague House, designed by SOCA Architecture.
Doublespace Photography/Supplied

“My partner, Megan Cassidy, and I both come from architecture backgrounds. Having creative skill sets has been crucial in helping our business navigate an ever-changing and often challenging market. Roughly half of our customers are in the U.S., and … with Canada Post on a rolling strike, we’re constantly finding new ways to reach and serve them – from working with different shipping companies to offering prepaid duties so customers aren’t surprised at the border. Clear communication has been key, especially when explaining why costs may be higher because of tariffs, while reassuring clients that they’re still getting the best possible product through us.”

Jane Son — Chapman & Bose Chapman & Bose, Mineral Nook Knob/Hook at Casson Hardware.
Chapman & Bose/Supplied

“I’ve always thought of DesignTO as a reunion among old friends, and as a way to bring new friends together. That sense of connection is incredibly valuable, especially now, as a way to celebrate what we share. I’m particularly looking forward to an exhibition called Traces, which explores the weight of migration and forced relocation while preserving culture and identity. One of the participating artists is Taiwanese Canadian Dennis Lin, who has created a sculpture made from nearly 4,500 semi-burned incense sticks collected from Taiwanese temples. Each day, one stick will be relit – both as an act of solidarity with people in a country whose sovereignty is under threat, and as a way to create a meaningful, communal experience here.”