Eyes on Paris: How we saw Maison&Objet 2025

Maison&Objet confirmed its leading position in the design industry at its January 2025 edition, especially in the context of canceling the imm cologne fair. With more than 69,000 visitors from 149 countries and 2,377 exhibiting brands, the event has become the main point of reference for design and furniture professionals at the beginning of the year.

An essential experience for any creator, object designer or furniture maker

At the beginning of the year, Paris becomes the epicenter of creativity in object, furniture and lifestyle design thanks to Maison&Objet, one of the most important design fairs in the world. I had the opportunity to be there in January 2025 and the experience was far more than just an exhibition event. Maison&Objet is a place where inspiration comes to life, where trends are born and where every creator - be it interior designer, architect, designer, furniture maker or just a hobbyist - finds a reason to be present.

Even though Paris was freezing in winter, the atmosphere inside the fair was electrifying. The exhibitors' stands were full of color, bold ideas and concepts that were redefining interior space. I felt that every corner of the fair was a story told through materials, shapes and textures.

It is more than just a showcase for products. Maison&Objet is a platform for interaction and collaboration, a space that dictates the direction of the industry. Every visitor - retailer, architect, designer or manufacturer - has something to gain from the experience. Exchanging ideas and meeting professionals from around the world can open perspectives you never thought possible, and January's event marked an important moment in the transition towards more original, daring and innovation-driven design.

A barometer of the design industry

Programme What's New? brought to the fore the trends that will dominate the coming period. The hospitality section was an example of how design and innovation combine to transform hotel spaces into immersive experiences.

The retail area, on the other hand, proposed a reinterpretation of concept stores, showing that the future of physical retail is more than just displaying products - it is about story, emotion, interaction and visual spectacle.

The statistics speak for themselves:

• over 69,000 visitors from 149 countries
• over 2,377 brands (964 French brands and 1,413 non-French brands), of which almost 600 were exhibiting for the first time.

This diversity makes Maison&Objet a global meeting point where brands from all over the world can validate their ideas and find new markets. The strongest presences came from France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the UK, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Japan, the UK and the Netherlands, each bringing unique cultural interpretations of global trends.

Why attend Maison&Objet?

Participating in this fair is a strategic opportunity that should not be ignored. Individual participation, in the specialized areas dedicated to the product you are selling, seems to me to be the optimal solution. Exposing your company and your products directly to a specialized target audience is an important advantage.

If your promotional (participation) strengths are limited (maybe you are a start-up looking for break-even) then participating in a national stand may be the right solution for you. Romania was present with such a national stand with object design and furniture companies, stand organized through APMR (Association of Furniture Manufacturers in Romania).  Such participation provides a strong national context and potentially lower costs. It is an excellent option especially for companies in their first international experience, offering organizational support as collective presence and promotion under the national umbrella.

But exhibiting at an international fair, such as Maison&Objet, requires careful preparation to maximize the benefits of participation. From what I have observed, careful selection of the collection on display is essential. The pieces chosen must be representative of the brand and must be able to compete internationally. The stand design and the integration of the collection into a story are also important at Maison&Objet. I have seen them in many exhibitors. Understanding the international market and adapting products to the specific requirements of each region can also be an important asset.

Presentation also plays a crucial role - a well-organized stand, impeccable presentation materials, both in physical and digital format. In addition, active networking, such as setting up meetings in advance with potential partners and clients, significantly increases the chances of collaboration. Last but not least, a strong digital presence, with an up-to-date website and constant social media posts, increases the benefits of participation.

Whether you choose to participate as part of a national pavilion or on an individual stand, you have a real chance to discover and strengthen your position on the international market, meet new distributors and partners and learn from the experiences of other industry players.

Paris, an epicenter of creativity

Despite the January chill, Paris shines like never before during Maison&Objet. The city of lights becomes the perfect stage for this celebration of design, where the creative energy of the exhibitors blends naturally with the artistic atmosphere of the French capital. Every corner of the fair pulsates with color and innovation, transforming the exhibition space into a living laboratory of future trends.

With 44% of the visitors coming from outside France, this event demonstrates that Paris remains not only a tourist destination but also a global center of the creative industry, where centuries-old traditions in arts and crafts blend perfectly with the bold visions of contemporary design. My experience at this edition has shown me that success in this competitive environment comes from this combination of tradition, innovation and adaptability.

See you next time, Paris!