Maison & Objet 2026 – Interior design trends and UMMO Lighting in Paris

Just a few years ago, taking part in the Paris design fair felt more like a dream than a concrete plan. Logistics, costs, the scale of the event – everything seemed to belong to a different league. However, in January 2026, we found ourselves on the exhibition floor as part of one of the largest industry events in Europe: Maison & Objet. We quickly realized that these are not the kind of trade fairs you attend just for inspiration, but events that verify the actual stage of your brand’s development. Why? Read our report and discover the conclusions we drew.

UMMO Lighting and Górna Półka Booth at Maison & Objet 2026 in Paris

We attended the fair together with Górna Półka, which operates internationally under the name UPPER HALF and was the main exhibitor. From the very beginning, we knew in what capacity we would be present – as a brand co-creating the space and presenting our products within a partnership framework.

This solution had its advantages: it allowed us to appear on one of the most important design stages in Europe and to see how our lamps function in an international context. Naturally, some visitors asked about the relationship between the two brands, which opened the door to conversations about their distinct specializations and identities.

These were valuable discussions – not only about products, but also about design philosophy and future directions. We distributed a significant number of UMMO Lighting catalogs, and the interest in our design language was clearly visible.

This edition of the fair primarily showed us how important it is to communicate the structure of cooperation precisely and to simultaneously build brand recognition in international markets – step by step, consistently.

Maison & Objet 2026 in Paris – A Fair Unlike Any Other

It was our first time at Maison & Objet, so we have no comparison with previous editions. However, unlike other trade fairs where we have already exhibited, we were surprised by the lack of a traditional thematic division.

There were no clearly separated sectors for lighting or furniture. Everything was mixed together. Alongside halls featuring premium brands, there were spaces where sales occasionally resembled a design marketplace. Many monobrand booths offered almost everything: vases, lamps, furniture, textiles, artworks.

This allowed us to shift our perspective. At such an event, you do not compete solely with other lighting manufacturers, but with complete lifestyle visions.

The Most Interesting Trends at Maison & Objet 2026 in Paris

The most visible trend? Color – lots of color! Bold yellows, deep greens, saturated blues, expressive forms. A clear contrast to the subdued Scandi or Japandi styles that have dominated in Poland for years. Paris shows that interiors are becoming more expressive, less conservative, and above all more personal. We see this reflected in our sales – colorful UMMO Lighting lamps are selling better and better.

The fair’s guiding theme, “Past Reveals Future”, a dialogue between history and the future, was evident in many projects. It was a highly accurate meta-narrative for what was happening at the fair: traditional craftsmanship met innovative technologies; classical Baroque forms were reinterpreted as avant-garde; raw materials merged with ultra-modern production processes. It sends a clear signal to the industry: less mass production, more authenticity and a fresh look at tradition.

At the fair, we could observe four distinct currents present across the booths:

• metamorphosis – recycling and transformation of objects, changing their function and meaning.
• mutation – hybrid materials combined in unexpected ways.
• revisited Baroque – theatrical, elegant, luxurious details inspired by Baroque aesthetics, reinterpreted in a modern way.
• neo-Folklore – local stories and traditions reimagined in a global design context.

Can everything seen at the fair be implemented? It is difficult to say after just one edition. But the direction is clear: design is no longer neutral. It is meant to evoke emotions.

International Brand Development – Is the French Market a Good Direction for Polish Design?

The most important conclusion from this trip is more strategic than aesthetic. The French market may represent a promising direction of development for UMMO Lighting.

Contemporary French interiors are bolder in terms of color. The rounded, morphic forms of our lamps and our wide color palette naturally fit into this aesthetic. And this is no longer just an assumption. We have recorded our first sales through a store based in France, as well as our first collaboration with a French influencer – UTOPIC – in whose kitchen the Malumi lamp now hangs.

At the same time, we are fully aware that one trade fair does not build a market position. What is required is consistent work, relationship building, and strengthening brand recognition and trust.

Brand Internationalization Step by Step – What Do Europe’s Largest Design Fairs Teach Us?

What are we bringing back from Maison & Objet 2026? We return with:

• the awareness that as UMMO Lighting, we are ready to expand our horizons,
• confirmation that our aesthetic direction is relevant,
• a lesson on how to communicate the brand with precision,
• the conviction that France is an achievable market for us.

Just a few years ago, participation in Maison & Objet was beyond our financial and logistical reach. Today, we are present there – and that alone is already a success for us.

Conclusion

Maison & Objet 2026 turned out to be an important test for us. If we return – and we intend to – it will be with even clearer communication and a well-defined strategy for our presence on the French market. We feel that we are just beginning to write the next chapter in the story of UMMO Lighting!