What We Learned at 3daysofdesign—and How It Will Shape Our Future Projects

For years, 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen has been one of those events I followed from afar. Every June, designers, architects, makers, and brands from around the world gather to share new collections, ideas, and ways of thinking about how we live.

This year, I finally experienced it for myself.

It exceeded every expectation (take me back!)

What struck me most wasn't the furniture or the beautifully designed showrooms—it was the thinking behind them. There was a shared optimism throughout the city. A feeling that design is becoming more personal, more expressive, and more connected to the way people actually live.

If you read our Designer's Guide to Copenhagen, you'll know the city itself leaves a lasting impression. 3daysofdesign felt like an extension of that same philosophy.

Clients often ask what we bring home from events like this. The answer isn't a list of trends to recreate. It's a deeper understanding of where design is heading—and how those ideas can be thoughtfully translated into homes that will still feel beautiful years from now.

Here are a few themes that stood out.

Personality Is Replacing Perfection

If there was one idea woven through almost every showroom, it was this: homes are becoming more individual.

Rooms felt less decorated and more inhabited. Furniture had softness and character, almost like clothing. Oversized upholstery wrapped around sofas and lounge chairs, making them feel relaxed and inviting rather than rigid.

Instead of asking, Does everything match?, designers seemed to be asking, Does everything belong?

That subtle shift creates homes with warmth, history, and personality.

How we'll use it

We've always believed a home should reflect the people who live there—not a single design style.

Rather than designing around one dominant aesthetic, we'll continue layering materials, finishes, eras, and meaningful pieces to create interiors that feel collected over time.

Pattern Is Becoming More Immersive

Pattern has been making a quiet return over the past few years, but in Copenhagen it felt far more immersive.

Wallpaper continued onto ceilings. Fabrics repeated across multiple surfaces. Patterns weren't treated as accents—they became part of the architecture of the room.

One of our favourite installations came from Formakrivet, where custom pieces created specifically for the exhibition completely transformed the atmosphere of the space.

How we'll use it

Pattern drenching doesn't have to mean you must cover every surface imaginable (I mean, you can…).

Repeating a wallpaper in drapery, carrying a fabric onto upholstery and cushions, or layering complementary prints can create remarkable depth while still feeling balanced.

Window Treatments Are Becoming Architectural

One of the biggest surprises was how much attention was being given to drapery.

Throughout both 3daysofdesign and Copenhagen itself, layered window treatments softened architecture, improved acoustics, and introduced another level of warmth.

One of my favourite examples was at Anderson & Maillard, where Copenhagen-based drapery company &Drape created custom drapery that completely transformed the café. The curtains drew your eye upward, creating the feeling of being surrounded by clouds.

Sheers combined with full drapery panels. Drapery of the same material but different lengths created different sightlines. Natural linens were paired with heavier woven fabrics. Hardware became part of the design rather than something hidden.

Why we love it

Layered drapery does so much more than provide privacy.

It softens hard materials, controls natural light throughout the day, improves acoustics, and instantly makes a room feel more finished.

Sculptural Pieces Are Solving Problems

Furniture wasn't becoming sculptural simply for the sake of looking beautiful.

Many of the most interesting pieces were quietly solving functional problems. Freestanding room dividers, textured glass screens, timber partitions, and open shelving helped define different zones without sacrificing openness.

How we'll use it

As homes continue to evolve, we're increasingly interested in defining spaces without necessarily adding walls.

Thoughtfully designed room dividers can create privacy, improve circulation, and introduce another architectural layer while still allowing light to move through a home.

The Biggest Takeaway

We didn't leave Copenhagen wanting to recreate a showroom.

We left feeling even more confident in the direction we've always believed design should go.

Homes are becoming less about perfection and more about personality. Less about following one style and more about creating spaces that feel deeply connected to the people who live in them.

That's what we'll continue bringing into every project: ideas that stand the test of time. If this year's experience taught me anything, it's that thoughtful design isn't becoming more complicated. It's becoming more personal.

One of the best parts of attending events like 3daysofdesign is returning home with a fresh perspective, not to recreate what we saw, but to ask better questions, solve problems differently, and continue refining how we design.

That's the perspective we bring to every project. If you're planning a renovation, addition, or custom home, we'd love to be part of the conversation. Book a complimentary discovery call to learn more about our process.