Maison&Objet 2025: among Sur/Reality and disruptive trends

The January 2025 edition of Maison&Objet event marked a key milestone in the transition that began last September. Originality, boldness, desirability and innovation: these four words sum up this year’s event.

In addition to a carefully selected offering in 15 sectors, Maison&Objet has also made investments designed to attract new visitors, through practical yet inspiring programmes: What’s New? This signature programme showcases highly desirable projects, ideas and concepts that can be effortless adapted as well as emerging trends that are redefining each of the three featured sectors.

Up-and-coming designer Julien Sebban (founder of the architecture studio Uchronia) shook up the hospitality industry with a colourful hotel whose cheerful juxtaposition of motifs challenged the status quo, embodying the show’s Sur/Reality theme, while creating bespoke pieces with industry leaders (the monumental table in the lobby was designed especially for Maison&Objet). Somewhere between retrofuturism and contemporary baroque, this curated, cutting-edge selection from the brands at the show and on MOM reflected an opulent and desirable vision for the hospitality industry of the future.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of surrealism, the talented Elizabeth Leriche immersed visitors in decor created with some of the show’s finest gems, crafting a series of disruptive, poetic scenes: an enchanted forest, a bed in the clouds, hypnotic motifs, an upside-down room. It was easy to spot the trends for the coming season from among the show’s exhibitors.

François Delclaux dreamed up a cabinet of curiosities for retailers, staged so as to foreshadow the ideal concept, at the crossroads of a unique retail experience original boutique entertainment and trendy items that will set the tone for the season.

The WOMANIFESTO! installation was created by Designer of the Year Faye Toogood. The British designer revealed an intimate part of her multidisciplinary vision through this artistic work showcasing women in design, created especially for Maison&Objet. A true immersion into the artist’s creative subconscious.

In the Signature Hall, a new programme has taken shape in the form of an exhibition on collection design curated by Thomas Haarmann. In this museum installation, the object transcends its function to become a work in its own right. These monumental, striking pieces embody what is possible when craftsmanship meets art and design. At the crossroads of sculpture and furniture, these pieces are destined to find their place in collectors’ homes, signalling the singularity of prestigious hotels and restaurants. This exhibition was the next step in the show’s move upmarket, firmly asserting the demanding nature of the collection’s design and setting the stage for future innovation at the January 2026 event.

There were also Talks and Workshops, featuring a carefully selected line-up of experts and visionaries such as Alexis Mabille, Antoine Ménard, Bénédicte Epinay, Hervé Lemoine, Margaux Keller, the firm Peclers Paris, and the rising star of US interior design, Nina Magon.

Moreover, the Women&design programme launched in September 2024 by Maison&Objet was already making an impact in January with its brand-new programming. Four Talks at the show brought together talented women designers, setting the stage for productive exchanges addressing the challenges facing the industry. In Paris, a selection of international guests enjoyed an exclusive dinner at the restaurant Baronne, in collaboration with the hospitality group Paris Society. This exceptional event brought together the community of actors involved in impact projects led by women. The distinguished guests included Paola Navone, India Mahdavi, Nina Magon, Sarah Poniatowski, Kristina Zanic, Thomas Jolly and Vincent Darré.

Maison&Objet January 2025: Key figures

With a unique visitors amount of 69,086, Maison&Objet is gaining international momentum with a growing number of visitors from abroad. This increase shows that the international community has mobilised around Maison&Objet to boost its business and drive the desire to consume. Fewer French visitors attended this year, reflecting the current economic climate. In terms of exhibitors, 2,377 brands presented their collections, with nearly 30% being new brands across all sectors. The range of products on offer has also become more diversified, with 60% international representation. The Top 10 exhibiting countries are France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the UK, Portugal and Denmark.