The team behind New York’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) believes that designers shouldn’t exist in a silo. In fact, they see global exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration as both being critical to the industry’s ongoing evolution. With that in mind, the show has announced that its 2026 theme will be “Common Ground.” As part of this focus, ICFF’s programming (which runs at the Javits Center May 17-19) will emphasize the important role that shared values can play in connecting people across geographic borders and professional sectors alike.
In this same spirit of inclusion, the show is also embarking on several exciting collaborations. As part of a new relationship with Habitat for Humanity, a portion of both ICFF’s registration proceeds and the fair’s post-show materials will be donated to the organization’s New York City and Winchester chapter.
Meanwhile, another new partnership with Mayfair Design District will see a group of London talent added to the fair’s Bespoke: The Art of Making section, which debuted last year and focuses specifically on artisanal, handcrafted furnishings, textiles and finishes. For 2026, the Bespoke section will also include a dedicated salon designed by Post Company, a studio known for warm, richly layered destinations like Aspen’s Mollie hotel and NYC’s Fedora restaurant. “In a world of mass production and digital images, we are drawn to the antithesis: the bespoke,” says firm partner Jou-Yie Chou, teasing that her concept takes inspiration from the idea of an archivist’s residence “where the contemporary and the antique coexist.”
Adding to the show’s network of collaborators, many other industry veterans are stepping in to provide expert curation for additional feature areas. Julia Haney Montanez, co-founder of The Design Release, is on board as the program coordinator for this year’s Look Book program, dedicated to showcasing high-end designers, makers, and entrepreneurs. And Jonsara Ruth, the design director of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, will be curating a special exhibit that reiterates this year’s “Common Ground” theme.
Another major attraction will be staged by American furniture dealer Rarify. Connecting past to present, Rarify is set to introduce German manufacturer Tecta to the U.S. market through a special exhibition that will include a selection of the furniture brand’s pieces alongside original drawings, prints and artifacts on loan from the Bauhaus Archive Berlin. Charting the evolution of modern design, the display will highlight how today’s furnishings build on the foundations of their industrial predecessors.
When it comes to talks programming, design writer and curator Adrian Madlener is joining the fair team as this year’s Talks program consultant. Many of the discussions will reinforce the value of cross-cultural — and transcontinental — exchange, while also delving into other important topics like the housing crisis. Building off of ICFF’s year-long editorial series, the Emerging Designer Spotlight, Amy Devers (host of the Clever podcast) will feature five selected designers in conversation on the Mainstage. In addition to the Mainstage programming, additional talks will play out in the Aqua Atelier by Grohe and the Oasis, which will host programming dedicated specifically to sustainable innovation.
As in past years, ICFF 2026 will also include an array of colourful, immersive environments that serve as key social destinations on the show floor — including the Welcoming Lounge by Ligne Roset, the Juniper Recharge Lounge and the Rarify Dining Lounge (presented in partnership with Be Original Americas).
True to this year’s theme, attendees are sure to leave having made new connections that inspire the next chapter of their work. See you in New York!
ICFF 2026 Fosters Unity Through Design
The show’s theme, “Common Ground,” underscores the importance of global partnerships and cross-disciplinary dialogue.