Canada’s premier interior design event is back in Toronto with its 26th iteration! Whether you’re a professional, enthusiast, or a DIYer, the Interior Design Show 2025 should be on your calendar from January 23 to 26.
Through exhibitions, marketplaces, and design challenges, the four-day event continues to deliver on its mission of promoting and celebrating the best in global and Canadian design. This is your chance to be part of a complete design experience, filled with both emerging designers and legacy brands.
The first two days are reserved for industry professionals and are packed with unmissable keynotes and networking opportunities. Over the weekend, the show opens its doors to all design lovers and is lined up with inspiring Canadian designers and their exhibitions.
If you’re planning to make a pitstop at the event, which we highly recommend you should, then here’s our guide to how you can make the most of your time there.
IDS Toronto 2025 Overview
When and Where
IDS Toronto 2025 will take place from January 23 to 26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre‘s North Hall, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Known for its full-length glass views of the city and its 1980s brutalist structure, the venue provides the perfect backdrop for an event honouring the design industry’s legacy and innovation.
What to Expect
Expect to be inspired! IDS Toronto 2025 truly brings a global mix of current trends and a glimpse into the future of design, all under one roof. Through seminars and immersive installations, the event not only celebrates the achievements of the past but also the sets the stage for the future of the industry.
What Makes IDS Toronto Unique
IDS Toronto is not just a design event – it’s a global celebration of creativity, innovation, and inspiration.
Global Inspiration, Local Impact: IDS Toronto brings together a powerhouse of design leaders from around the world, infusing the event with rich, international perspectives. This global dialogue creates an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to explore new ideas, trends, and innovations from every corner of the design world.
Immersive, Boundary-Pushing Installations: Every year, IDS Toronto breaks new ground with bold, immersive installations that spark creativity and push the limits of what’s possible. These captivating experiences not only engage the senses but also ignite the imagination of all who attend.
Celebrating Canadian Creativity: At its heart, IDS Toronto shines a spotlight on Canada’s vibrant design scene. By showcasing the best of Canadian talent, the event highlights the country’s unique contributions to global design and ensures that local designers receive the recognition they deserve on the world stage.
Take a tour of the 2024 edition with House & Home’s Lynda Reeves and Brian Gluckstein:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnlnFuLL5Uk
Key Event Highlights
Opening Night Party
The biggest design party of the year starts Thursday, January 23 at 7 pm. Join the design industry’s biggest leaders and creative minds for a night of networking and entertainment. The event features performances by Big Smoke Brass, HercuSleaze, and Regina Gently, and musical performances by DJ Armandd, Ace Dillinger, and DJ Phillippe.
Night & Day
Following the success of IDS 2024’s Future Neighbourhood feature is Night & Day – the centrepiece of IDS Toronto 2025. Visit the experiential, inspirational feature which aims to provide a platform for leading voices in hospitality design.
Studio North
Studio North is a feature presented by Yorkville University where independent product designers get the opportunity to present their custom and on-off creations within a gallery-like setting.
Prototype
Prototype, also presented by Yorkville University, is a unique platform within Studio North that features unique products that are not currently in production and addresses new ideas for the residential design market.
Must-Attend IDS 2025 Keynotes
The IDS Main Stage presented by Khayeri will host four days of talks from Canadian and international keynote speakers.
Here are some talks that we can’t wait to catch:
Observations of a Globetrotting Designer: Paolo Ferrari Forecasts the Future of Luxury Hospitality Design
This session forecasts five scenarios for the hospitality design of tomorrow, viewed through crystal-ball lens of Ferrari’s current projects in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Date: Thursday, January 23
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Speaker: Paolo Ferrari (Founder, Studio Paolo Ferrari)
The Future of Creative Practice
A panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities facing creative practices today, focusing on how we can leverage change to stay competitive and drive innovation.
Date: Friday, January 24
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Speakers: Heather Dubbledam (Principal, Dubbledam Architecture + Design), Michael Leckie (Founder, Leckie Studio), Tura Cousins Wilson (Co-founder, Studio of Contemporary Architecture), Ashley Rumsey (Co-founder and Executive Director, Mason Studio).
Yabu Pushelberg: The State of Design in 2025
The dynamic duo of George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg talk about how the role of the designer has evolved, the value of collaborating on a diverse range of work, and their forecast for what comes next.
Date: Saturday, January 25
Time: 3 to 4 p.m.
Speakers: George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg (Founders, Yabu Pushelberg).
Ali Budd in Conversation with Lynda Reeves
Watch H&H’s 2024 Designer of the Year take us through her cover house project and explains the moments that make the look.
Date: Sunday, January 26
Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Speaker: Ali Budd (President and Principal Designer, Ali Budd Interiors).
Ready to Fast-Track Your Career in Interior Design?
Yorkville University offers a CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Interior Design program that covers all facets of design theory. The program also includes 150 hours of real-world internship experience.
What’s more, Yorkville’s BID program can be completed either on campus in Toronto or completely online, making it one of the most accessible BID options in Canada.
Sounds interesting? Check out the program to learn more!
You can also checkout the booth our students designed for us at IDS 2024. We’ll be there this year too, so drop by to say hello.
