ICFF OR ICLF?

While lighting has always had a presence at the annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York City, the category has increased so much, one might be tempted to consider it the International Contemporary Lighting Fair.

The much-anticipated International Contemporary Furniture Fair will return to the Javits Center in May as usual, but this year’s exhibition will place an even greater emphasis on global design collaboration.

In a media preview for the trade press last week, ICFF organizers detailed some of the new programs and partnerships that will debut this year. Under the theme Common Ground: A Global Dialogue on Design and Shared Values, ICFF 2026 is being described as a “forum for dialogue, exchange and discovery,” according to organizers, who added that the show will be an immersive experience.

One aspect that attendees will undoubtedly notice this year is the increasing assortment of boutique lighting companies. Expanding from its core furniture focus into other areas of home design, ICFF will once again coincide with NYCxDESIGN – the city’s official design week festival – and will include furniture, lighting, wallcovering, rugs, and architectural hardware, plus select plumbing and materials for kitchens and baths. The goal, ICFF organizers said, is to bring in diverse perspectives, disciplines, and cultures that can “explore how shared values can shape more thoughtful, sustainable, and human-centered environments.”

With housing affordability a key topic in society today, ICFF has announced its first-ever partnership with Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester. The result is a new program that will launch at the show and “that supports Habitat’s work to expand access to permanently affordable homeownership and advance equitable housing solutions,” ICFF organizers stated. To underscore the ICFF community’s shared commitment to housing equity this year, a portion of the registration proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County.

Continuing that topic, one of the talks scheduled at ICFF – “Can There Ever be an Affordable House Again?” – will discuss the affordable housing crisis in depth with Dwell editor-in-chief William Hanley.

Additional 2026 initiatives reflect ICFF’s focus on material responsibility, innovation, and interdisciplinary dialogue. Among these initiatives are an exhibit led by Jonsara Ruth, design director of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, and an expanded focus on lighting through enhanced programming within the Juniper Recharge Lounge. Other topics that will be discussed at ICFF are the use of healthy building materials and how design can drive effective and inclusive social strategies.

*Molo paper furniture and lighting from Vancouver, Canada*

Expected to be of great interest to show attendees is the showcase for up-and-coming designers. The Emerging Designer Spotlight (EDS) is a year-long initiative designed to elevate new voices beyond the show floor. The program introduces a monthly editorial series – each highlighting three to five international emerging designers selected by ICFF – that offers deeper insight into their practices, processes, and points of view. There will be a custom Emerging Designer Spotlight presentation at ICFF 2026 on the Mainstage that features five designers in a live program.

Another favorite part of past ICFF editions involves bespoke design. The “Bespoke: The Art of Making” section will be presented in partnership with Hospitality Design magazine. At its center is the Bespoke Salon, an architecturally expressive environment designed by Post Company that was designed as “a refined setting for conversations, presentations, and material exploration.” Bespoke Salon is sponsored by Ferreira de Sá.

“In a world of mass production and digital images, we are drawn to the antithesis: the bespoke. Our Bespoke Salon for ICFF 2026 celebrates craft and artisanship in a space where the contemporary and the antique coexist, explained Jou-Yie Chou, a partner in Post Company. “Inspired by an archivist’s residence, the salon invites visitors to linger, discover, and experience the warmth and comfort of a meticulously composed environment.”

*Corston Architectural Detail switches, sockets and lighting from the UK*

Also noteworthy for ICFF 2026 is a landmark exhibition from independent American design company Rarify in official partnership with Tecta and the Bauhaus Archive Berlin. The alliance will bring museum-quality Bauhaus archival material into ICFF for the first time. The exhibition pairs original drawings, prints, and design artifacts from the Bauhaus Archive with contemporary furniture by German manufacturer Tecta.

Like Rarify, Tecta is a small, value-driven manufacturer that has spent decades stewarding and advancing Bauhaus ideas through responsible, contemporary production. This collaboration marks the fair’s first exhibition to unite a living manufacturer with the official Bauhaus archive.

*Mirrors Decorated by papier-mâché artist Tuesday Winslow of Washington, DC*

WantedDesign – a design-focused entity that was founded in 2011 in New York City by French New Yorkers Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat – has evolved over time to have an ICFF presence under the name WANTED. As such, WANTED will act as ICFF’s incubator for emerging talent by featuring:

• Schools Showcase, with 20+ schools participating and presented with media partner Design Milk

• Design Schools Workshop, “The Unseen Narratives” is conducted this year in partnership with Centro (Mexico), sponsored by KI, with the support of molo, and presented with media partner Core77. Through sound, rhythm, data, technology, and emotion, the students will explore the invisible patterns of daily life.

• Launch Pad, sponsored by American Standard and presented with WantedDesign and media partner Dwell

In addition, as part of WANTED, the Look Book exhibit – comprised of more than 70 North American Design Studios – will be presented with media partner Dezeen, while the Look Book Lounge is sponsored by Topjob.

Building on its role as a hub for discovery, education, and community, ICFF welcomes back several core programs:

• Mainstage: An elevated lineup of global speakers on material innovation, sustainability, cultural storytelling, hospitality, and technology. Sponsored by Moroso.

• The Oasis: A space to relax, meet, and host intimate talks spotlighting sustainability, innovation, and human-centered design. Sponsored by Ethnicraft, Leon Speakers, and Mohawk.

• Welcoming Lounge by Ligne Roset: The iconic brand returns to host the Welcome Lounge at the entrance of the fair.

• Aqua Atelier by Grohe: An exploration of sustainable water practices and new materials within the Kitchen & Bath pavilion, featuring conversations led by industry experts.

• Juniper Recharge Lounge: A serene, lighting-driven space designed for reconnection, networking, and restoration.

• Rarify Dining Lounge, in partnership with Be Original Americas: A destination celebrating authenticity and contemporary craft through shared meals and conversation.

• ROOM x OFS: ROOM x OFS return this year with a collaborative studio and lounge space where conversations and content merge. The ROOM x OFS space will host live discussions with design thought-leaders as part of their “In the ROOM” podcast. ROOM will also unveil the next episode of its acclaimed Designers on Design video series live on the ICFF Main Stage, featuring tête-à-têtes with top design talents.

• ICFF Editors Awards: Honoring excellence across product categories and disciplines, highlighting standout work and emerging voices.

On May 15, ICFF Night Out returns with a curated evening of events across NoMad, SoHo, and Flatiron, activating showrooms, studios, and creative spaces in partnership with NYCxDESIGN and Interni. Designed as an after-hours extension of the fair, the citywide program brings together designers, brands, and media for a series of hosted evenings that encourage connection, conversation, and shared exchange within New York’s design community.