Welcome to 2026: event highlights for January

The New Year opens with January setting the pace for a season of international textile events

ICFE 2025, Istanbul Expo Center.

Happy New Year to all our carpet lovers, designers, and followers! We’re back at work, ready to guide you through the threads of the most anticipated annual rug events.

As the first month of 2026 commences, there are plenty of exciting events lined up to introduce another kaleidoscopic year of rug art. To make sure nothing is missed, we’ve put together a handy summary of what’s coming up in January.

The International Carpet & Flooring Expo (ICFE), Istanbul Expo Center – Turkey, 6–9 January 2026.

The International Carpet & Flooring Expo (ICFE) returns for its third edition, now with an international focus. Organised by Tüyap in collaboration with the Istanbul and Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Associations, the show will host nearly 500 companies from 25 countries and welcome around 50,000 professional visitors. Handmade rugs from Turkish brands such as Hasan’s Rugs, Damga Rugs, and Kirkit Rugs will feature in a dedicated area in Hall 2.

As Gökalp Gökdemir, deputy general manager at Tüyap, says: “Hand-woven carpets hold a deeply rooted place in Turkish culture, and Turkish handmade rugs are recognised and admired worldwide.”

ICFE 2025, Istanbul Expo Center.

HeimTextil , Messe Frankfurt – Germany, 13-16 January 2026.

The Carpets & Rugs section at Heimtextil returns with even more brands and a redesigned layout to centralise floor coverings and give buyers extra space. Handmade rugs, including Choudhary Exports, Rupesh Kumar & Sons, and The Rug Republic, are in Hall 11.0; India and China pavilions in Hall 11.1; and machine-made carpets, plus the Future Floor trends space, in Hall 12.0, with talks by COVER editor Lucy Upward.

Hall 3.0 hosts Patricia Urquiola’s installation among-all, while the new interior design area spans Halls 3.0, 3.1, and 4.1. Heimtextil Trends features Milan-based brand Alcova with Craft is a verb at Hall 6.1, exploring high-tech craftsmanship. The updated layout makes it easier than ever to explore the latest in rugs and design.

Maison&Objet, Nord Villepinte – Paris, 15–19 January 2026.

Maison&Objet returns under the theme “Past Reveals Future”, featuring 2,300 brands, including 500 new exhibitors. Directed by Amélie Pichard, the winter edition spotlights Designer of the Year Harry Nuriev, celebrated for bending design conventions.

Istanbul-based Kirkit Rugs will showcase a collection inspired by Herki tribal carpets from northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey, as well as Konya tulus long-haired carpets. The palette draws on Anatolian landscapes, while motifs reflect Seljuk and Ottoman influences. Savage Animal, a design from Paulig’s Moroccan Roots collection, will feature at the show. In this design, the centuries-old tradition of Beni Ourain rugs is celebrated through the twist of a contemporary lens.

Deirdre Dyson’s latest collection, Melange, which featured in our last print issue, will be showcased at the event. Her latest collection celebrates the spirit of creative spontaneity, with elements unified by a cohesive colour palette of taupe neutrals, burgundy, purple and burnt orange.

Paris Déco Off, France, 14-17 January 2026.

Paris Déco Off transforms showrooms across the 2nd and 6th arrondissements (districts) into a city‑wide design celebration with more than 150 international brands opening their doors to preview new collections. Visitors can explore standout showrooms such as Tribù, Porte Italia‑Venezia, Gauthier & Cie, Tréca Paris, and Hamilton Conte, alongside specialist textile and rug makers like Vandra Rugs and Kitty Sablu, all presenting the latest in luxury fabrics, wallcoverings, and decorative arts.

The event’s lively, immersive atmosphere, supported by free shuttles between key Left and Right Bank locations, makes it a must‑see highlight of the winter design calendar.

COVER Connect Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Convention Center – NV USA, 27-29th January 2026.

COVER Connect returns to the North American West Coast with its fourth edition as part of The International Surface Event (TISE). The curated pavilion brings together twelve dynamic brands showcasing traditional, transitional, and contemporary rugs, perfectly complementing other carpet and flooring exhibitors at TISE.

Coinciding with Las Vegas Market (25–29 January), the event gives buyers prime access to custom rug options and programme lines tailored to client tastes. The exclusive COVER Connect pavilion remains strategically located near leading exhibitors, making it easier than ever for buyers to explore high-end rugs and discover standout selections. Exhibitors at COVER Connect Las Vegas showcase remarkable creativity and adaptability, offering a diverse range of rugs designed to meet the unique preferences and needs of North American clients.

Las Vegas Market, Market Center – NV USA, 25-29 January 2026.

Las Vegas Market returns to Market Center, coinciding with COVER Connect Las Vegas at TISE, making it a must-visit for professional rug buyers at the start of the year. The winter edition promises an impressive range of rugs and homewares, with showrooms from brands such as ANDMORE, Loloi, and Couristan showcasing new collections across all qualities and techniques.

Highlights include Loloi’s Modern Couture wool and silk rugs, the Hide Chic hide collection, and natural abaca pieces; Couristan’s Cadiz collection blends machine-made precision with hand-finished luxury; and hand-knotted rugs like Beckham and Maren bring innovative textures, colours, and techniques to the floor.

Whether attending in person or not, readers can rely on our coverage and social media updates for a front-row view of this year’s key rug events.