When Design Shanghai opened at the iconic Shanghai Exhibition Centre last month, IROCO Design once again supplied the hospitality contract furniture for the event’s common areas—continuing its long-standing role supporting some of Asia’s most prestigious design fairs, including many of Hong Kong’s leading exhibitions.

This year marked a significant evolution for the fair. Two new design halls—one focused on kitchens and bathrooms, the other on home office furniture—highlighted the rapid diversification of the sector. Visitor numbers surpassed 50,000, breaking all previous records and reflecting growing regional demand for high-quality, innovative furniture solutions.

A Booming Market for Furniture in Asia

Traditionally dominated by established European brands, Design Shanghai now mirrors broader market shifts. As furniture suppliers in Japan and China well know, Asia’s rising middle class is reshaping the contract and designer furniture landscape. A McKinsey study highlighted a staggering leap: in 2000, only 4% of China’s urban population was middle class; by 2012, that figure was 68%, with an upper middle class expected to represent over half of city dwellers by 2022.

Celebrating Chinese Design Talent

While European brands continue to draw attention, the spotlight is increasingly shared with emerging Chinese furniture designers. These talents—like Yao Yejun (Studio Mushitiangong), Tianyu Xiao (Tianyu Design), and the duo Zhiming Lian and Ke Wang (Idee)—combine traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary function. From calligraphy-inspired tea tables to chandeliers echoing jellyfish, their work signals a new design language that blends heritage with innovation.

At IROCO Design, we’re proud to support dynamic platforms like Design Shanghai—where contract furniture meets cultural evolution and creativity flourishes.