With the opening of INDEX Saudi Arabia 2025, the largest edition of the trade fair to date, Riyadh once again became the centre of the region's evolving design discourse from September 9 –11, 2025. Over 400 exhibitors from 33 nations participated in the three-day display, which was organised by dmg events in collaboration with the Architecture and Design Commission at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre. The design event reaffirmed its position as the leading interiors, furniture and fit-out trade show in Saudi Arabia with 12 international pavilions and a carefully curated programme of talks, tours and competitions. “The 2025 edition highlights the growing demand for world-class interior design solutions that are innovative, sustainable and inspired by cultural identity. The exhibition plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Kingdom’s built environment by connecting international suppliers with local designers, developers and contractors,” says Jasmeet Bakshi, Vice President, Design and Hospitality at dmg events, in the press release.

The exhibition space was animated by presentations from global leaders such as Geberit, Kohler, Villeroy & Boch and Maison D’artisans, alongside regional pioneers such as Guthmi, Masdar, Marvel and Al Aqeel Furniture. The showcases ranged from inventive sanitary systems and modular solutions to bespoke furniture designs and sustainable textile ranges responding to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding hospitality and residential markets.

Guthmi, the design fair’s diamond sponsor, unveiled 26 new sustainable textile design lines, including the Texcare collection certified to OEKO-TEX® standards. The showcase stood out as a key highlight, signalling a regional shift toward longevity and environmentally conscious interiors, rather than short-lived trends. Swiss brand Geberit presented its latest smart sanitary systems and innovations that mesh sleek design with efficiency, performance and sustainability. The company also demonstrated cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, underscoring its role in supporting the Kingdom’s sustainability agenda. In an effort to support local design businesses, the Designed in Saudi initiative drew attention towards homegrown creativity and craftsmanship. Curated by the Architecture and Design Commission, it celebrated products conceived and made in the Kingdom, foregrounding Saudi designers while reinforcing the importance of cultural identity in shaping contemporary spaces.

The INDEX Design Talks, one of the most talked-about features of the 2025 edition, hosted over 80 expert speakers across three themed days: Collaborate to Build, Design that Works and Innovate for Impact. The conversations traversed topics including performance-driven interior design, the role of artificial intelligence in creative processes, the design of future mega-events such as Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, and cultural identity in Saudi architecture. “Saudi Arabia is moving at such an unprecedented pace, with projects that are ambitious in scale and set new benchmarks socially, culturally and economically,” Esra Lemmens, founder of the Esra Lemmens Agency, who moderated several discussions, mentions in an official statement. “By bringing global expertise together with local talent, we can raise the likelihood that growth is not only world-class, but also sustainable and deeply rooted in the Kingdom’s identity,” she adds.

This edition also introduced the Trend Tours, which provided guided tours across the exhibition floor along six themed trails. Tourists strolled along the Sustainability Trail, which featured eco-friendly materials and circular design ideas and the Saudi Made Trail, which honoured the country's manufacturing industry. The Design Disruptors tour raised awareness of innovative, forward-thinking design, while the Curated Edit showcased high-end European businesses. The Smart Sourcing Tour highlighted affordable yet innovative design solutions and the Lighting Trail combined lighting design showcases with workshops and talks. Professionals were able to source products more quickly and intelligently owing to these carefully planned paths, which transformed the vast show from a marketplace into an instructive experience.

INDEX Saudi Arabia also put the spotlight firmly on emerging Saudi talent. The Future Stars competition, held in partnership with ArchiNet, gave interior design students a chance to present their final projects to an esteemed jury of regional design leaders such as Hanadi Karkashan, Hatem Attiyah and Maya Hajjar. The competition springboards the students directly into the industry, awarding the winners with internships in distinguished design agencies.This initiative aligned closely with Vision 2030’s ambition to nurture local talent and build a globally competitive creative economy.

INDEX Saudi Arabia 2025 aspires to create space for exchange, inspiration and collaboration that extends beyond the exhibition halls of an industry gathering. With a record-breaking number of exhibitors, a robust programme of talks and tours and a focus on sustainability, local talent and future-ready design, the 2025 edition reflected the Kingdom’s accelerating transformation and its aspiration to be a global hub for innovation. By weaving together business opportunities, cultural dialogue and educational initiatives, INDEX Saudi Arabia positioned itself as a key driver of the Kingdom’s design evolution—speculating and contributing towards the future of sustainable, human-centred and inspiring environments across Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia’s design sector is undergoing a transformative phase—fueled by mega-projects, international engagement and a new generation of creative leaders,” Bakshi noted in his statement. “Through INDEX, we are proud to support and accelerate this journey,” he concludes.