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AI, craftsmanship, and collaboration drive one of the fair’s biggest transformations — with Portugal at the heart of Hall 5.0
In an exclusive interview with T Jornal, Margit Herberth director of Heimtextil shared key insights into the deep transformation that awaits the 2026 edition of the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles.
“It was a strategic change,” she explained. “What we would like to do is to create new synergies, also to provide something new for the visitors(…)From time to time, it’s important to change so everybody has to get new orientation and also get new contacts.”
The coming edition will mark a significant structural renewals in Heimtextil’s history, with a completely redesigned hall layout meant to refresh visitor routes, foster unexpected connections, and encourage discovery. “Just like a supermarket changes its layout to inspire exploration, we want to offer new experiences, new perspectives, and new encounters,” she added.
For the Portuguese textile and home industry, Heimtextil 2026 brings both renewed visibility and new networking opportunities. Traditionally strong in the Bed, Bath & Living segment, Portuguese companies will now be concentrated mainly in Halls 5.0, 5.1 and 6.1.
Hall 5.0 will host a prominent cluster of Portuguese exhibitors, showcasing the country’s high-quality manufacturing and innovation capacity. Meanwhile, Hall 5.1 and 6.1 will bring together companies from Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Germany, creating a dynamic mix that promotes international exchange and cross-traffic.
Margit Herberth noted that this reconfiguration reflects the fair’s philosophy: “There can’t exist any exhibition without the competition. Competition keeps us dynamic — it drives innovation and keeps everyone alert and engaged.”
Asian exhibitors will be located on the Western side of the exhibition center, completing a layout designed to balance country clustering with cross-border diversity, ensuring both national identity and international dialogue.
The Heimtextil Trends 26/27 will unfold under a compelling new motto: “Craft is Verb.”
“Next year’s motto is going to be ‘Craft is Verb’,” Margit Herberth confirmed. “What we see right now is that, of course, you have a lot of possibilities with AI (…) But the more it develops, the more we as humans long for the imperfect, for the handmade, for the mix — and this is what it’s going to be all about.”
The concept explores the intersection between AI-driven efficiency and human craftsmanship – a conversation that runs through every hall, every trend, and every interaction. In home textiles, AI is driving hyperindividualization: allowing products to be tailored to each consumer while reshaping expectations in hospitality and retail. Yet, as Margit Herberth pointed out, “The more digital the world becomes, the stronger the desire for authenticity — for the tactile, for the human touch behind the product.”
Located at the center of Hall 6.1, the Trend Arena will once again serve as Heimtextil’s creative nucleus — surrounded by textile designers and Bed, Bath & Living companies, especially from Italy and Portugal.
The 2026 edition will focus on AI versus craftsmanship, highlighting materials, textures, and color palettes that express both innovation and imperfection. Portuguese exhibitors are strongly encouraged to submit samples that reflect sustainability, material experimentation, and craftsmanship storytelling – bringing the “Craft is Verb” narrative to life.
Heimtextil 2026 further consolidates its role as a hub for lifelong learning, with expanded visitor programs targeting different professional segments.
The Interior Architecture & Hospitality area (Hall 3.1) will include a Functional Textiles Library, Talk Spot, and guided tours connecting specifiers with relevant exhibitors.
The Frankfurt Business Club will once again serve volume buyers and decision-makers seeking direct access to premium suppliers.
On the Texpertise Stage in hall 6.0, international experts share future-ready solutions in interactive talks and guided tours. That’s where the key topics come in: Whether hyperpersonalisation, customer connection or AI-driven design: Heimtextil translates major societal shifts and future trends into tangible business impulses. And equips the industry with tools and practical know-how to turn innovative technologies, new business models and design approaches into action.
All curated and thematic areas maintain a streamlined submission process, ensuring that exhibitors gain visibility through professional jury selection and coordinated communication.
Despite a profound reorganization of the fairgrounds, Heimtextil’s exhibitor numbers remain steady at around 3,100, maintaining the same exhibition area as in 2025.
The fair’s strategy acknowledges broader industry challenges — from tariff policies and economic uncertainty to evolving consumer expectations. “As a trade fair organizer, we face exactly the same challenges every company does,” says. “It’s not an option to stand still. We should always focus on what can be shaped — and collaboration is the key to face these challenges.”
That spirit of cooperation extends to Heimtextil’s digital and social media strategy, where influencer partnerships and targeted media collaborations will strengthen international visibility and engagement.
Concluding, for Portugal’s home textile community, Heimtextil 2026 represents both continuity and reinvention. With a national cluster and other international companies anchored in Hall 5.0 and a creative presence in 5.1 and 6.1, exhibitors are encouraged to: align displays and storytelling with the “Craft is Verb” theme; Submit handcrafted, process-rich materials for jury-curated areas; Engage actively with guided tours, talks, and hospitality programs to reach key buyers.
As Margit Herberth concluded, Heimtextil 2026 is not just about new halls — it’s about renewing curiosity, encouraging dialogue, and embracing change: “We can’t stay still — our mission is to evolve, to create new synergies, and to give everyone a reason to look again, to meet again, to collaborate again.”