The Stockholm Furniture Fair began in 1952 as a showcase of Scandinavian design. From 1951 to the present, in more than seventy years, the Stockholm Furniture Fair has gone from being a local furniture fair to a world-renowned event. And exhibitors have adapted, becoming increasingly international, as have visitors.
Stages of evolution
1950s
In 1951, the first furniture presentation took place in S:t Eriksmässan. Before long, Scandinavian manufacturers were also presenting at the new furniture fair, Svenska möbelmässan, in Stockholm.
1960s
The Fair already had about 300 exhibitors. The products on display were mainly residential furniture, objects and accessories.
1970s
In 1970, S:t Eriksmässan moved to a new location in Älvsjö, and after a couple of years, changed its name to Stockholmsmässan. The furniture fair debuted at the new location in 1971.
1980s
Students from Konstfack (Stockholm University of Arts, Crafts, and Design) made their debut, and furniture for public spaces increased their presence at the Fair. In the mid-1980s, the exhibition space reached 45,000 square meters; today, it has grown to 70,000 square meters.
The Nude Edition at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2023
The Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair
1990s
In 1995, for the first time, the Northern Light Fair ran in parallel with the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Furniture for public spaces occupied an increasing amount of space, and the Fair became a leader in Scandinavia.
2002
In 2002, the Stockholm Design Week was started to complement the Fair. Thus, the second week of February became the most important week of the year for Scandinavian design.
2003
It was the year of the first Greenhouse, the arena for emerging designers and design schools. In Greenhouse, there are prototypes of young people seeking manufacturers on show.
2004
In 2004, the Stockholm Furniture Fair invited an internationally acclaimed designer to create a lounge in the Entrance Hall for the first time. From 2004 onward, each year, the Stockholm Design Fair invited a different designer as a Guest of Honor.
2010s
In 2010, the Fair redesigned Hall A, and the size of the fair increased. International presence has been expanding year by year.
2014
In conjunction with the Fair, the Stockholm Design Talks have been launched. The lectures are attended by various figures who excel in design and architecture.
Installation by Front Design at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2023
The Scandinavian Design Awards
2023
After a forced three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Stockholm Furniture Fair returned to full capacity in 2023. In the meantime, it also adopted a new name, Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. In 2023, the Fair invited Sweden’s first guest of honor, the design studio Front. Also, in 2023, it debuted the Scandinavian Design Awards and the new Älvsjö Gård platform, which showcases limited-edition experimental design. Moreover, the trade fair has exhibited a new concept, The Nude Edition, a sustainable way of designing and building stands.
Why visit
The Stockholm Furniture Fair is Scandinavia’s most important furniture and design fair. In addition to exhibiting products, the Fair features a rich program of talks. Its various cultural programs and lectures make it an ideal platform for professional development. The new concept, The Nude Edition, allows for enriching education in booth design. The Greenhouse platform also makes it possible to learn about trends among young designers and in schools.
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, February 6-10, 2024
Stockholm Furniture Fair is for professionals; on last day, Saturday february 10, is open to the public
Size: 478 exhibitors, 26,500 visitors in 2023
Visit StockholmFurnitureFair website for more info
