London’s Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 once again reinforced why Clerkenwell remains one of the world’s most influential design destinations.

Across three days in May, the festival brought together global furniture brands, workplace innovators and material specialists to showcase ideas shaping tomorrow’s interiors. With over 600 showroom events and installations across EC1, this year’s edition highlighted a clear shift toward spaces that are more adaptable, sustainable and human-centred.

For education environments, one dominant theme stood out: flexibility. Furniture is no longer designed around static classrooms. Instead, manufacturers demonstrated agile solutions that support collaboration, focused learning and rapid reconfiguration. Mobile seating, modular layouts and multi-functional spaces continue to influence how schools can better accommodate diverse teaching methods and student needs.

A second major trend was wellbeing-led design. Across furniture and interiors, softer forms, acoustic considerations and calming materials reflected growing awareness of how environments impact concentration, behaviour and learning outcomes. Natural textures, muted earthy palettes and tactile finishes created spaces designed to feel welcoming rather than institutional. Sustainability also remained central, with circular design principles and long-life materials becoming standard expectations rather than premium features.

Technology integration appeared increasingly seamless. Rather than technology driving furniture design, furniture now quietly supports digital learning through integrated power access, adaptable layouts and hybrid teaching functionality.

Suppliers serving the education sector were well positioned within these conversations. KI Europe continues to champion adaptable educational furniture solutions that prioritise movement and engagement. For those fortunate enough to experience the “secret room”, you will already know just how impressive and innovative the exciting new product designs on the horizon are set to be!

Dynamic Office showcased workplace seating innovation with features that increasingly translate into learning environments focused on comfort and wellbeing. If you stepped aboard the bus you would have seen examples of the exciting new design-led soft seating being manufactured here in the UK!

Frem Group demonstrated how contemporary furniture design, like the newly launched Koala seating, can create agile educational spaces, and acoustic solutions help reduce noise levels, improve concentration and speech clarity, and create calmer learning environments that support student wellbeing, particularly for children with sensory processing needs, while Summit 1977 reflected the continuing demand for durable, design-led interiors that balance aesthetics with long-term performance.

JDD’s showroom showcased innovative new 3D printed fabrics that pushed the boundaries of texture and material design. The tactile surfaces and layered finishes demonstrated exciting potential for the education sector, particularly within SEND environments where sensory engagement plays an important role in supporting student wellbeing and focus. These textured materials could be incorporated into soft seating, acoustic panels and breakout areas to help create calming, interactive spaces that encourage sensory exploration in a safe and engaging way.

The message from Clerkenwell Design Week this year was clear. Future schools will prioritise flexibility, sustainability and wellbeing equally. Educational environments are evolving beyond classrooms into dynamic learning hubs and furniture design is leading that transformation.

The Morleys Advantage

FF&E and Education Interior Design Specialists

We offer a complete FF&E solution to education clients.

We understand school improvement and refurbishment projects are an important investment for schools, so using our access to the widest range of furniture designed for education environments, our commitment to quality, best value and durability, and our education interior design expertise, we deliver a return on your investment by creating functional, inclusive and inspiring spaces that students will benefit from for years to come.

Contact Us

If you have an education project in the pipeline and would like to know more about the benefits of working with Morleys and the service we offer as FF&E design consultants, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.