Highlights from Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
Clerkenwell Design Week is a programme of design-led events that showcase the latest furniture and design product launches. It gives Clerkenwell’s showrooms the opportunity to open their doors to architects, interior designers, furniture experts, and other workspace enthusiasts.
Clerkenwell Design Week, 19th – 21st May 2025, was an exceptional show of craftsmanship, sustainability and progress in workspace innovation. Hundreds of events were hosted by the 160+ showrooms that participated.
Rainbow’s top takeaways from Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
Through the three-day programme of workshops, product launches, seminars, and exhibitions, our team noticed some common threads:
- There’s more focus on building neurodiversity-friendly aspects into furniture design, through colour theory
- From furniture materials to table tops, recyclable materials were seen across a lot of the products on show
- An increased interest in pods, and many showrooms exhibited the variety of pod solutions available
- Many manufacturers are increasingly keen to show the sustainability of their products and brands
Brands and products that stood out in Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
Our team of furniture experts explored the events to uncover the latest in furniture and design, and we asked them to pick out their favourite brands and products that were on show:
Tony Antoniou, Managing Director, found the Vepa Hemp Fine Coffee chair especially compelling:
“I’m impressed with this chair from Vepa, it was made from a used coffee bean sack that has been coated in 100% biodegradable bonding agent making it completely sustainable.”
Aimée Curtis enjoyed visiting historic Clerkenwell locations, such as The Charterhouse, and the iconic Old Sessions House. The standout piece for her was String Furniture’s Pira G2 (seen at Old Sessions House).
“I’ve always been a big fan of their more recognisable classic “String System”, but this modern take on a classic design is so striking and bold, I can really see it being a different way for our clients to use modular storage within their spaces – stepping away from the cubic pieces we have seen often over the past few years. Storage requirements are here to stay – but make them aesthetic!”
Seyhan Ahmet was impressed with the number of brands standing out and innovating their product offering from previous years. One of his favourite brands was JDD Furniture:
“One of my favourite brands, and showroom, was JDD Furniture. Not only are they a nice company and a good British Brand, they also have some great designs. They upped their game this year and brought out some new and unusual products”
Alexander Montero particularly liked the AYA Planter designed by Foster + Partners, supplied by Benchmark Woodworking Ltd (Image source: Benchmark Furniture Ltd):
“I really liked this manufacturer because they design and build furniture with lasting quality – crafted to endure for the next 100 years. What stood out most was their passion for what they do and their strong commitment to handcrafting furniture using natural, sustainable, and non-toxic materials.”
Joanna Wyrwicz was drawn to the thoughtfully crafted designs of OCEE Design’s FourPeople Tables and Planters:
“I really liked the planters solutions that look cooler and more residential rather than corporate rectangular boxes.”
Matthew Webb was captivated by the functional craftsmanship of Dovetailors:
“The product they had on show was beautiful and the craftsmanship was second to none.”
Nilla D’Andrea was drawn to the indoor and outdoor lighting by Vincent Sheppard. In particular the Maya Lamp (pictured) and Tika Lantern:
“Both of these lighting solutions are incredibly light and feature solar panels. If you’re using it indoors, you can just flip the lid over to hide the solar panel element, and create an additional surface space.”
Phivos Zavros found the Bubba Curve from OB&B especially memorable, seeing it installed across the wall of the showroom:
“Putting the curved modular seating on the wall made it one of the more memorable products from Clerkenwell Design Week.”
Yulia Yates spotted the evolution of Allermuir’s Bastille range ‘Bastille Lounge’, the new additions of the range stand out with their contoured silhouettes:
“The sofa and the armchair have an outstanding organic design and are very competitively priced considering the equivalents on the market. It is also British made, which can be a true USP on our sustainability driven projects.”
Ready to transform your workspace?
If any of the brands featured in Clerkenwell Design Week caught your eye, our team are here to help.
At Rainbow, we combine 35 years’ trading in design expertise with a commitment to sustainability and quality. Whether you’re planning a new fit-out or rethinking your current space, we’ll help you create an office that reflects your values and inspires your team.
Get in touch to start your journey