Whether you’re a retailer, designer, installer, developer or a KBB sector professional looking to expand your network, kbb Birmingham (1–4 March 2026, NEC) is the unmissable event of the year for the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms sector. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the show brings together over 320 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, showcasing the latest innovations, sustainable solutions and design trends. 

The Wildwood team will be back on the show floor at kbb Birmingham, running the show press office – and we can’t wait to be back at the NEC. To help you get the most out of your visit, here’s your essential guide to planning, exploring, and maximising your time at the show. 

1. Plan Ahead With the New kbb Birmingham Event App

Make the kbb experience smoother by downloading the official event app, sponsored by Smeg, before you arrive. It gives you access to: 

• Your digital badge 

• Exhibitor directories 

• Floor plans 

• Product zone 

The app also supports prebooking meetings so you can secure time with brands and suppliers before the show gets busy.  

Pro tip: Bring a portable phone charger – you’ll be using your device a lot throughout the day. 

2. Prioritise Your Must-See Exhibitors

With 320+ leading brands across 25+ product categories, having a clear plan will help you navigate the halls effectively. Expect to see names including: 

• Smeg, Nobilia, Quooker, Samsung, VitrA, Merlyn, Aqualisa, Croydex, Vado, Ca’Pietra, and many more.  

This year’s show places a strong focus on sustainability, smart technology and personalisation, so look out for cutting edge launches and innovative new products. 

3. Explore the Innovation Awards

A highlight every year, the Innovation Awards (in partnership with Blum) celebrate the most groundbreaking products in the sector. 

 
You’ll be able to: 

• View all shortlisted innovations on display 

• Vote in the People’s Choice Award 

• Attend the live announcement of the winners 

This is the perfect opportunity to identify products that will shape the market in the year ahead.  

4. Attend Live Demonstrations and See the Latest Design Trends

Want to see the latest products in action? With exhibitors planning a wide range of demos and product reveals, make time for visiting stands that link to your own business goals – whether that’s design inspiration, sustainability insights or learning about new technology. 

Expect trend forecasting! We’re predicting: 

• Bold colour palettes 

• Tactile materials 

• Integrated smart solutions 

• Eco conscious materials and sustainable practices  

Pro tip – Stay ahead of the curve and gather design insights for current or upcoming projects. 

5. Network With Purpose

kbb Birmingham is a huge gathering of senior decision makers across residential, retail, design, and contract sectors, with over 17,000 visitors expected this year. 

To maximise your networking: 

• Bring business cards or a scannable QR profile 

• Use the new kbb Birmingham app to arrange meetings in advance 

• Follow the event on social media and share with your online community that you’ll be attending 

Pro tip – After the show, organise the contacts you gather and follow up while conversations are still fresh. 

6. Immerse Yourself in Special Features

2026 introduces exciting international exhibitor areas, including the Spanish Design Pavilion highlighting top suppliers exhibiting from Spain. Discover the craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics that define Spanish KBB innovation. Connect with established brands renowned for their quality manufacturing and design excellence across European markets. 

And don’t forget to play the 40th Anniversary Duck Hunt, with 40 rubber ducks hidden throughout the show floor — a fun way to explore every corner of the exhibition.  

7. Plan Your Logistics for a Stress-Free Visit

To keep your day running smoothly: 

• Prepay for NEC parking to save £5 and skip queues  

• Review hotel partners offering discounted rates 

• Explore food and drink options across the NEC  

Wear comfortable shoes – you will cover a lot of ground! 

8. Capture Content and Share Your Experience

Whether you’re attending as a visitor or exhibiting: 

• Take photos and videos of exhibitor stands, demos, new products and design inspiration 

• Share your insights and favourite finds across LinkedIn and Instagram 

• Tag brands and share what you discover 

With its mix of innovation, global exhibitors, industry insights and unbeatable networking, kbb Birmingham 2026 promises to be the most exciting edition yet – and a fitting celebration of 40 years of shaping the KBB industry. 

A little preparation goes a long way. Plan ahead and make the most of every conversation. We’re ready – are you? We’ll see you at the NEC! 

See what we got up to at the previous kbb Birmingham, here.

How to Make the Most of Your Timeat kbb Birmingham 2026

Contact Wildwood Plus today to discover how we can support your event

Get in touch today

Like countless other industries, the interior design sector is also undergoing a significant transformation driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

This technological shift is revolutionising how designers create spaces, offering plenty of new opportunities. However,
associated challenges to creativity and potentially to employment, are creating ripples amongst the
design community. So, is AI a friend or foe of interior designers?

AI: A boon to creativity and job satisfaction

There’s the obvious post-pandemic interrogation of our public and private spaces from a health and safety perspective, with air flow and occupancy levels becoming critical considerations of the same importance as fire and flood regulations and building codes.

It’s been suggested that AI-powered tools are enhancing creativity and efficiency across the design
process. Platforms like Adobe Firefly and Autodesk’s Dreamcatcher use AI to generate an array of
potential design options based on user prompts, allowing designers to quickly explore and refine
their ideas. Designers are also using AI tool Midjourney to brainstorm interior design projects and
source inspiration images to portray a mood and direction. These tools accelerate the ideation phase
of interior design, and may lead to more creative and personalised offerings.

On the topic of personalisation, solutions such as Houzz, an online community and platform for
home design, employs AI to recommend products and ideas tailored to individual user preferences.
Does it always get it right? No, but it’s still comparatively early days, and tools like this will arguably
get more accurate at deciphering user preference the more they are used.

Spatial planning is another area where AI is making a significant impact. AI algorithms can optimise
the utilisation of space, generating layouts that include desired hard furnishings while maintaining
aesthetics and functionality. This future-gazing Apple Store project covered by the British Institute of
Interior Design even uses AI to make real-time layout adaptations depending on each customer’s
needs and preferences.

Akin to other industries, interior designers can also utilise AI for streamlining the management of
concurrent projects, predicting timelines and assisting with planning and budgeting – helping them
speed through the admin and instead focus on the creative elements of their work.

AI: A threat to creativity and employment

Conversely, the integration of AI into interior design also brings a potential threat to creativity. There
is a risk that over-reliance on AI might stifle human creativity, leading to homogenisation and
‘parroting’ of design styles and a loss of unique, human-driven ideas. The automation of various
design processes also poses a threat to certain levels of employment within the sector. As AI tools
become more sophisticated, more routine tasks (especially the creation of visuals) may become
obsolete, impacting job security. According to a report by McKinsey, up to 30% of tasks in 60% of
occupations could be automated, highlighting potential for job disruption.

Data privacy is another valid concern by many. AI’s reliance on large datasets to function effectively
raises issues around the collection and analysis of personal data, including imagery, for personalised
design experiences. Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations like the GDPR is crucial to
mitigate these risks.

In addition, investing in AI software, training staff, and keeping on the cutting edge of advancements
may be both a time and monetary resource that smaller design firms or sole trader designers just
don’t have.

Humans + AI: A perfect design?

AI has already started to transform the interior design industry, offering exciting opportunities for
innovation, efficiency, and enhanced client experiences. And this excitement is valid.

However, the sector must also address the accompanying challenges, particularly in regard to the possible stifling of creativity and risk to certain job roles. Even being aware of this is a good prompt to start thinking about creative working practices and relevant reskilling of employees.

While AI does a good job of analysing data, and from a design point of view, suggesting an array of
different options or visualisations, it simply can’t replicate the emotional and intuitive aspects of
human creativity (and all the personal and cultural experiences that are intertwined within that).
After all, interior design isn’t solely about aesthetics; it also involves creating spaces that evoke
emotion and enhance comfort and occupant wellbeing.

The interior design sector will always need the human touch – real people on the ground creating
these designs in real life, collaborating with suppliers and contractors to make sure a space looks and
feels perfect, something AI cannot (at present!) replicate.

In our opinion, the future of interior design and the key to navigating this new landscape lies in the
harmonious integration of both AI and human creativity, where technology enhances but doesn’t
overshadow. It’s important to remember that AI is a brilliant tool, but it is just that. A tool.

To learn more about many of the macro and industry-specific trends affecting the business of
interior design, then consider subscribing to Wildwood Plus’ Interior Design Business podcast. We’re
30-year veterans of the interior design industry and have the honour of representing the British
Institute of Interior Design, Decorex and many other brands within the sector.

So, if you’re looking to enhance the visibility of your business with the audiences that matter, then get in touch with us today.

Get in touch today

From the start of the 2020s and throughout the decade so far, we’ve seen a trend towards the renewed prioritisation of occupant wellbeing within the built environment.

It’s a holistic attitudinal shift across several interrelated disciplines that’s led to considerable advancements in best practice for building controls and interior design in particular. As is often the case with progress of this nature, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single catalyst for the change, with a complex combination of socioeconomic factors all playing a significant role.

That said, it’s difficult to look beyond the pandemic as a root cause of much of the re-evaluation that’s taken place.

Why is occupant wellbeing so relevant right now?

There’s the obvious post-pandemic interrogation of our public and private spaces from a health and safety perspective, with air flow and occupancy levels becoming critical considerations of the same importance as fire and flood regulations and building codes.

But alongside physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing have also grown in status within our cultural collective consciousness. As living environments have been repurposed as workspaces – first out of necessity, subsequently through choice – and the way we interact with institutional and commercial buildings has shifted, the direct link between wellbeing and performance has become clearer.

Healthy building design enhances the ability of ccupants to effectively utilise a built environment for its intended purpose, as the BCIA points out. Building owners and employers alike are striving to maximise the potential of commercial spaces, leading to retrofitting and adaptation of existing environments with a view to boosting employee wellbeing, and achieving associated productivity benefits. And of course, new structures are being designed and built with these considerations front of mind.

How are building controls and interior design evolving to promote occupant wellbeing?

There’s a wide range of measures that operators within these industries can should consider from an occupant wellbeing perspective – below are a couple of the key examples:  

Biophilic design

This involves incorporating natural elements into the built environment, which can reduce stress, boost mood and provide a sense of calm that facilitates concentration.

Using natural materials like wood, stone, and plants in interior spaces, maximising natural light and including views of natural landscapes where possible can help from a construction perspective.

In terms of interior design, use of calming colours such as blue and greens can help with cognitive function and thoughtful use of materials with low environmental impact, which can help in reducing pollution, waste and energy consumption.

Smart Building Technologies

The Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to connect various building systems, allowing for more comprehensive and responsive control of environments. This includes smart thermostats, lighting systems, and air quality monitors that communicate and adjust automatically.

Giving occupants more control of their personal spaces can also boost wellbeing – for example, by incorporating mobile apps or touch panels allowing employees to personalise their immediate environment to suit their individual preference.

These tools can also offer data-driven insights through occupancy analytics. By using data from sensors and building management systems, facilities managers can better understand and optimise space usage, ensuring that environments are not overcrowded and are used efficiently.

Occupancy wellbeingthought leadership

Of course, there are many additional factors to consider: from sustainable design to thermal controls, ergonomics and acoustic comfort, along with air quality monitoring and adherence to wellness-focused building standards.

By taking ownership of these design elements and sharing company-specific strategies for promoting occupant comfort and wellbeing, organisations in the construction and interior design industries can position themselves as thought leaders at the forefront of developments in practice.

At Wildwood Plus we have extensive experience of helping our clients to capitalise on periods of market uncertainty via impactful communications. Despite the building industry’s challenges, new sustainability initiatives, technological advancements and (hopefully) more upcoming government support means there is still plenty to be optimistic about.

Get in touch today and we’ll show you how we can grow your reputation as a trusted industry provider, focused on building a better future for the UK.

Get in touch today

With the UK General Election mere days away, the country’s political parties have been busy pushing their manifestos to both the general public and businesses alike.

It’s no surprise that housing in particular has taken centre stage, given the turbulence in the residential market; from increasing mortgage and rental rates, to a shortage of housing stock and an ever-increasing focus on sustainability. The UK’s building industry in particular awaits with some trepidation as to what political commitments will come to pass. The sector, like many others, hasn’t been impervious to rising costs, labour shortages and demand which is difficult to forecast.

While pundits may claim the election result is clear cut, we thought it would be interesting to speculate as to how the market might shift post July 4^th by taking an objective look at each political party’s manifesto as it relates to housing…

Conservative Party

The Tories have committed to various measures to tackle the housing crisis. The headline is theambitious plan to build one million new homes over the next five years focusing on revitalising brownfield sites and protecting green belt land. They also aim to streamline planning laws to accelerate the construction process, and have proposed increasing home ownership through policies like extending the Right to Buy scheme to housing association tenants. Additionally, they plan to implement a ‘First Homes’ policy, offering a 30% discount to first-time buyers.

Labour Party

Labour’s housing policies are centred on addressing affordability and increasing supply. They havepromised to build 150,000 new council and social homes annually, with 100,000 of these to be constructed by local councils. They also intend to introduce rent controls to limit uncapped increases and ensure more secure tenancies. Labour plans to establish a new national housing agency to oversee the construction of homes and ensure quality standards are met. Green and sustainable housing development is also emphasised.

Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems focus on a significant increase in affordable housing, proposing building 300,000 homes per year, with a substantial portion being affordable homes for rent and sale. They also plan to introduce a new ‘Rent to Own’ model, allowing tenants to gain ownership gradually. The party has energy efficiency firmly on its agenda, committing to a £15 billion investment in retrofitting existing housing stock to adequately insulate all homes by 2030. They also support reforms to the private rental sector, including longer tenancies and a cap on rent increases.

Green Party

The Green Party prioritises sustainable and affordable housing. Their manifesto includes plans to build 100,000 new council homes each year and retrofit existing homes to improve energy efficiency. They advocate for stronger protections for tenants, including rent controls and longer-term tenancies. The Greens also emphasise the need to address homelessness through comprehensive support services and housing-first policies. Unsurprisingly, green belts are to be protected from urban sprawl, instead using brownfield sites and retrofitting existing buildings to meet housing needs.

Housing is rightly a major concern across the political spectrum in the UK, with each party presenting distinct strategies to address the crisis, focusing on increasing supply, improving affordability, streamlining planning, and ensuring sustainability. One thing is for sure, should the winning party make good on their housing promises, it’s going to increase demands of the entire sector. As such, it’s never been more important to have a communications partner who can help you cut through the noise and get in front of the right audience.

At Wildwood Plus we have extensive experience of helping our clients to capitalise on periods of market uncertainty via impactful communications. Despite the building industry’s challenges, new sustainability initiatives, technological advancements and (hopefully) more upcoming government support means there is still plenty to be optimistic about.

Get in touch today and we’ll show you how we can grow your reputation as a trusted industry provider, focused on building a better future for the UK.  

This year Wildwood was thrilled to work on the PR campaign for high-end interior design exhibition Decorex. The event is a real highlight of the luxury design calendar and this year it did not disappoint. Over 12,000 visitors walked the busy show floor to view the expertly curated collection of over 200 exciting interior brands. Master craftspeople showcased their new collections, beautiful products and allowed visitors to get hands-on with their designs. We had a phenomenal four days showcasing the highlights of Decorex to the media and we loved exploring all the features of this year’s show – from diningscapes to design talks.

The Wildwood team on day 1

At the entrance of Olympia, we were met by a vast array of beautifully curated exhibitor stands, each of them a spectacle in their own right. On the mezzanine floor, we watched in awe at the ‘Making Spaces’ craftspeople running live demos, showcasing their skills and allowing us to get hands-on and try it ourselves – this proved to be very popular among all attendees! Decorex Diningscapes was another new feature at Decorex this year situated upstairs, that showcased four expertly designed room sets crafted by leading interior designers Christian Bense, ND Studios, Pandora Taylor with Bonadea and Bertrando di Renzo with Les Ottomans. Each of the incredibly beautiful sets left us with an urge to go home and revamp our own dining room!

Decorex Design Talks returned this year and were yet again a HUGE hit. Whether it’s growing your business, delving into the future of the textile industry or listening to the founder of Mulberry talk all things fashion & interiors – The Design Talks had you covered! The talks theatre sponsored by Cole & Son was consistently full, as interior design enthusiasts listened eagerly to industry experts talk about all things design.

When seeking a place for rest and relaxation or perhaps a catch-up with journalists or other colleagues in the design community, the Decorex bar designed by duo Carden Cunietti and the VIP Lounge designed by interior design studio De Rosee Sa proved to be the perfect spot.

Decorex 2022 was a huge success, and we are delighted to have been part of such a wonderful event.

This year the Wildwood team helped the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) to launch a brand new and unique UK interior design awards programme. Celebrating the very best of British design across the UK, the awards showcase the best interior design projects completed across the UK. On October 5^th 2022, following a busy year of planning and promotion, the very first BIID Interior Design Awards took place at the historic Drapers’ Hall in London, where the magnificent interiors created a spectacular backdrop to celebrate and reward the winners.

The accolades were awarded at the prestigious awards ceremony in front of an enthusiastic audience of almost 200 design industry professionals. The event kicked off in style with a lively drinks reception, before attendees took their seats.  Guests were welcomed to their tables by event host, TV Presenter and design historian Amber Butchart and guests enjoyed a delicious three-course lunch, during which we were treated to a short presentation by Jonathan Deeming from architecture firm Purcell, on the restoration of the ornate Drapers’ Hall.

BIID President Mathew Freeman presented the awards across 7 regional categories, showcasing a range of outstanding design projects representing every type of interior design, from commercial to residential. The overall prize for Interior of the Year, awarded to the best interior design project in the UK went to design studio Vawdrey House for their Greenwich House project, a brilliant example of the power of great design to transform a space.

The award ceremony was such an exciting day for our team and we were delighted to have played a part in such an inspiring event.

Wildwood gets on a roll and delivers new website for bakery equipment specialist

Cakes, buns, muffins, artisan breads and all manner of delicious baked goods have been helping to keep people going during a tough year for many, providing a small tasty and satiating distraction at home. From home bakers to local bakeries and retail giants – we salute you!

Wildwood is delighted to be working with EPP – a specialist in supplying bakery equipment for the food service/hospitality, craft/artisan and industrial bakery sectors in the UK and Ireland – and has been busy creating a new website to better serve its growing customer base. The Epsom-based company supplies, supports and services high-quality bakery equipment to enable the creation of breads, pizzas, cakes, scones, biscuits, pies, pastries, donuts and more.

(Note to bakers: free samples are well received by all members of Wildwood staff.)

The site offers a fresh new look for EPP, providing an improved user experience, enhanced functionality, and a greater depth of content. It also features an array of appetising images that have made the Wildwood team seriously hungry.

Check out EPP’s new website, and let us know: what has your favourite baked treat been this past year?

If you have a website that needs refreshing, find out more about our Web Refresh Package here.

In today’s challenging business climate, there has never been a better time to re-evaluate your brand and refresh your marketing strategy. Wildwood’s Lorraine Nugent recently took part in a Marketing Club webinar which shared expert advice on how organisations can elevate their brands and achieve their PR goals. Lorraine shares her top tips below:

1. Identify your business goals and define your USPs

Take a good look at your business and decide why the business exists, what product or service you are selling and who you are selling it to? Who else has a similar offering to you? Define what makes you different and set clear, measurable goals.

2. Listen and adapt – by knowing your audience and flexing your business model as needed

Listen to your customers (and potential new customers) to ensure that you understand the current market and know how to meet their needs today and tomorrow. Think about how you can swiftly adapt existing business models, make positive connections and develop trust.

3. Keep up to date with current trends and know how to engage with your target market

It is essential to target the relevant publications and platforms for your customer base. What do they read, watch and listen to? Are they networking online? Know which online tools they use eg LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, podcasts or webinars, so you are clear on how to reach them.

4. Develop a Strategic Plan of activity
Plan your content in advance and develop marketing materials that are useful, timely and targeted. Create content that will help you share your news with your customers – it could be a press release, brochure, e-shot, social media campaign or a video.
Become a reliable and regular source of information for your customers both online and offline but remember to keep a common thread, use consistent messaging and include a call to action.

5. Add Value – by providing your customers with meaningful content that’s of value to their business
Provide your customers with engaging, shareable content that’s of value, whether it’s informative, educational, news-worthy or entertaining.

Find out more about what Wildwood can do for your business here.

In the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd in the US in May, protestors took to the streets across the world to march against racial inequality.

The global anti-racism movement has sparked much-needed conversations about diversity and inclusion in the UK and the lack of opportunities given to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in every aspect of their lives, including their careers. We have been listening and learning as the design community have engaged in these conversations about racial diversity and there has been a long overdue realisation that things need to change.

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is showing industry leadership by launching its first Diversity In Interior Design survey to better understand the current landscape and to help shape its action plan to improve inclusion and diversity in the interior design profession.

Other designers and industry leaders have been developing ground-breaking and innovative new initiatives to help create lasting change in the industry, these include:

Design for Diversity Pledge

Founded by writer, Kate Watson Smyth, and interior designer, Rukmini Patel, the Design for Diversity pledge is an innovative new initiative for brands, businesses, bloggers, designers and stylists to pledge their support to creating a more diverse industry. Businesses simply place a sticker on their website which leads to a link leading to the pledge, which makes it clear that they are supporting and actively participating in efforts to open up interior design to those from BAME backgrounds, whether that is through mentoring, internships, or by any other means.

Kate says: “We do not claim it as a solution. But we offer it as the start of a conversation. A sign that the door is open…… It’s our sincere hope that the presence of this sticker on a design website or social channel will give those who see it the confidence to take a step forward, while offering reassurance that their interest will be received with positivity and fairness.”

Wildwood is backing the pledge, along with a growing number of our peers in the design industry, to show that we’re committed to supporting diversity across our business.

United in Design

United in Design is a newly launched charitable organisation founded by interior designer and BIID member, Sophie Ashby and KLC tutor and interior designer, Alexandria Dauley, to address the lack of diversity in the UK Interior Design industry. Specifically, the lack of representation from the Black, Asian, ethnic minority and low socio-economic communities.

Through partnerships with established educational programmes, industry professionals and sponsors, the intention is to provide a clear road map for increased diversity in all sectors of the industry — design studios, makers, suppliers to individuals and magazines.

In a recent feature for Vogue, Sophie says: “There are so many different ways we can support Black communities – and supporting and advocating for Black-owned brands and creatives has to be one of the most fun.” Check out her list of her favourite black artists, ceramicists & interiors brands here.

As a company, we too are looking with fresh eyes at our own processes and are determined to make progress in this area ourselves. We have also been exploring ways of continuing these important conversations with our own initiatives.

Diversity Podcast

The popular Interior Design Business Podcast launched a new episode this week, focussing specifically on this subject. To find out first hand and discuss some possible solutions to the issues of diversity and inclusion in the interior design profession, hosts – our own Jeff Hayward – and interior designer, Susie Rumbold, were joined by Design Career Consultant, Simon Hamilton, and Charmaine White to talk about their own experiences.

The enlightening and engaging conversation explores the challenges of being a BAME designer working in the Interior Design profession today, the barriers and the changes that need to happen. To listen to the podcast in full, click here. The importance of working towards a more diverse and equal community is an on-going journey which needs all of our efforts, to help ensure a truly inclusive society.