Last week, the Poppy team traded our desks for the bright lights of Birmingham and hopped on the train to the NEC for the January Furniture Show. Think of it as the Glastonbury of the furniture world: over 350 exhibitors, 10,000 shiny new product launches and countless conversations about where the industry is heading. We came back inspired, and we thought we’d share some of our key takeaways in this blog.
Sustainability takes the lead
One thing was clear at this year’s show: sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s the future (we’ve been saying this for a while, of course…). We saw fabrics made from recycled bottle caps (yes, really), thoughtful designs using reclaimed materials, and brands that genuinely care about reducing their carbon footprint. It’s so encouraging to see the industry stepping up.
At Poppy, sustainability is baked into everything we do. We want to keep great furniture in circulation, reduce waste and make it easy for people to embrace a more eco-conscious way of living. Seeing how much innovation is happening in this space makes us even more excited to partner with like-minded brands and push things forward.
Meeting the makers
One of the best parts of the Furniture Show? Getting to meet the talented suppliers and hear the stories behind their designs. We loved chatting with the teams from Tov Furniture, Tetrad and Wesbridge: their creativity and passion for quality are exactly what Poppy is all about.
Whether it’s bold, contemporary pieces or timeless classics, we’re always on the lookout for furniture that combines style, durability and good vibes (because, let’s be honest, furniture should spark joy, not landfill guilt).
Some serious eye candy
The show was also packed with fresh inspiration… think bold colours, multifunctional furniture, and clever designs that make small spaces work harder. There was so much to love, from swoon-worthy sofas to ingenious storage solutions. Spoiler alert: your rented home doesn’t have to feel temporary, and furniture like this proves it.
Looking to the future
For us, events like the January Furniture Show aren’t just about trends, they’re about connecting with the wider industry and rethinking how we furnish our spaces. It’s about working together to build a more sustainable, stylish and flexible future for furniture.
And that’s exactly what we’re doing at Poppy. Whether you’re a renter, a partner, or just someone who loves the idea of furniture that grows with you, we’d love to have you along for the ride.