Ideal Home Show 2026 – taking inclusive design mainstream

Tess Whitehead, Head of Property Search and Occupational Therapist at Adaptation Design, reports on how this year’s event highlighted more accessibility innovations than ever.

In April, The Ideal Home Show ran for nine days at Olympia London and remains one of the most influential events in the home and interiors calendar. The Show Home feature is always an event highlight, showcasing new and innovative products and services that shape how we think about our living spaces.

This year, I was invited to attend the Show Home launch as a guest of Stannah, who were presenting their latest homelift and stairlift solutions.

Personality is key

One of the most valuable aspects of the launch was the opportunity to speak with Sophie Morgan. Sophie is widely recognised as the first woman with a disability to work as a television presenter both in the UK and internationally, including anchoring prime time coverage of major sporting events.

The conversation with her focused on a topic that often gets missed in accessible design – aesthetics. While functionality is essential, the way products look plays an equally important role. For people living with complex needs, homes are frequently adapted with a strong focus on practicality, yet the visual and emotional impact of those spaces can be overlooked.

Sophie spoke about the importance of choice and control in how a home looks and feels. That point resonated strongly with me. A well-designed home should not only meet physical needs, it should also reflect identity, support wellbeing and feel like a place someone is proud to live in. This is something we see consistently in our work and it remains a key takeaway from the event.

Tess (left) at the launch of the Show Home alongside Kate Sheehan, OT (centre) and TV celebrity Sophie Morgan (right).

Challenging trends

Alongside the Show Home, Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapy Consultant at Adaptation Design, spoke on the main stage about the growing mismatch between housing stock and accessibility needs. Research states that 25% of people aged over 55 feel their current home will not support their long-term mobility, yet bungalows, often seen as the most accessible housing type account for only around 1% of new build homes. This reflects what we encounter daily when searching for suitable rental and purchase properties for our clients who require enabling adaptations.

Advancing accessibility

Attending the show also allowed us to explore emerging products from both specialist and mainstream markets. This is a key part of our role, ensuring we can offer informed and practical recommendations that reflect what is actually available.

Environmental control was a strong theme this year. With more extreme temperatures becoming increasingly common, the ability to regulate internal environments is becoming ever more important. Mitsubishi showcased integrated heating and cooling systems with intuitive, easy to use controls that could be operated via a smart device. The simplicity and accessibility of the displays particularly stood out to us – an area we will be exploring further.

Kitchen design also showed some positive developments. Smile Kitchens presented a range of storage solutions designed to improve access without excessive bending or reaching. Features such as pull-out larders and corner storage systems demonstrate how thoughtful design can make everyday tasks more manageable without compromising on appearance. Of particular interest was their Gate Pull Out Larder and Cornerstone Maxx Larder.

There were also several wash dry toilets on display. While the technology itself is improving, we noted ongoing issues around usability. Some controls were not suitable for people with reduced hand function and in some cases lacked clear, intuitive operation. More importantly, not all products appeared to meet WRAS approval standards, which is a critical consideration in ensuring safety and compliance within UK homes; an essential requirement for products specified by Adaptation Design. 

A positive outing

Overall, the Ideal Home Show 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to review what is emerging in the wider market. It allowed us to assess which products are genuinely suitable for our clients with disabilities and which fall short in real world situations. Overall attending the event enabled us to stay informed about innovative solutions that will benefit the clients and professionals we work with.

If you would like further information about any of the products or themes highlighted or want to discuss how inclusive design can be incorporated into your own project, the team and I are always happy to help. I can be contacted on:

Tess Whitehead
Adaptation Design, Clinical Lead for Housing Occupational Therapy and Property Search Services
Tel: 020 8492 1617 or email here