Guide for Interior Designers Attending CIFF 2026: Discover Trendy Furniture, Source Unique Pieces & Network with Suppliers.
CIFF 2026 (China International Furniture Fair) offers interior designers an excellent opportunity to seek inspiration, expand business, and gain insights into industry trends.
Below is a tailored guide for interior designers attending the fair:
I. Guide for Interior Designers Attending CIFF 2026: Basic Fair Information
1. Home Furniture Exhibition
Date: March 18-21, 2026
Venue: Canton Fair Complex (No. 380 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou) and Poly World Trade Center Expo (No. 1000 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou)
2. Office & Commercial Furniture Exhibition & Equipment & Materials Exhibition
Date: March 28-31, 2026
Venue: Pazhou · Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou
II. Guide for Interior Designers Attending CIFF 2026 : Pre-Fair Preparation
1. Designer Pre-Registration
Click the link below to pre-register now and participate in CIFF 2026 immediately, or scan the QR code to join.
https://www.cifffurniturefair.com/the-57th-china-international-furniture-fair-guangzhou/
Fill in basic information: Name, Company, Position, Phone, Email, Country/Region, ID Type, ID No., and Identity.
If you are a designer, select “Architect & Designer” under the “Identity” section.
Complete the process: Fill in and submit the relevant questionnaire as instructed. You will receive a confirmation message afterward, and then you can start your CIFF 2026 journey.
2. Understand the Fair Layout and Map
Once your registration is successful, you will secure your spot at the fair in advance. Later, you can download the exhibition zone map via the official CIFF website to learn about the distribution of each hall and the category division of exhibits.
For example, note that CIFF·Contemporary Design Fair is located in Area A of the Canton Fair Complex to plan an efficient visiting route.
3. Screen Target Exhibitors You Care About Most
Use the “Exhibitor Directory” on the official website to screen target exhibitors based on product type, brand positioning, and design capabilities. Mark their booth numbers and record their contact information.
4. Follow Concurrent Designer Events
During the fair, various events such as forums and salons will be held. Check the event schedule in advance and select design-related events to attend (e.g., Design Community) to gain the latest industry trends and design inspiration.
About CIFF Design Community: It is an interactive ecosystem for interior designers, integrating 6 core functions: trend release, self-presentation, product selection, social media highlights, social interaction, and training & promotion. As a platform for information, trends, and sourcing, it has partnered with over 130 global design associations. Join us to create boundless design value!
5. Prepare Your Promotional Materials
Prepare an adequate number of personal or company business cards, portfolios, and brochures. Share them when communicating with other exhibitors and industry experts to showcase your design characteristics.
III. Friendly Tips During the Fair
1. Recommended “Designer Kit”
– Carry essential items: ID card/passport (required for entry), foldable notebook, portable tape measure, and a collection album for material samples.
– Prepare electronic devices: Download the official CIFF manual or relevant guides to your mobile phone or tablet. Use real-time navigation to find booths and check exhibitor details. Also, bring a power bank (to avoid running out of battery during the day).
2. Maintain Your Best Condition
Clothing: The temperature difference between morning and evening in Guangzhou in March is about 5-8℃, and the air conditioning in the exhibition halls is relatively cool. It is recommended to wear a “thin coat + light inner garment” for easy layering.
Shoes: You will walk over 10,000 steps per day. Wear soft-soled, non-slip sports shoes (avoid high heels or new shoes to prevent foot discomfort).
Meals: The catering areas in the exhibition halls have long queues during peak hours (12:00-13:30). You can dine off-peak (e.g., before 11:30 or after 13:30) or carry energy bars and nuts to quickly replenish energy when hungry.
3. Make Good Use of Fair Services
– Some halls have “rest areas” providing free drinking water and power sockets. If you need to print design drawings or hold temporary discussions, consult the service desk (some exhibition zones offer paid printing or temporary meeting room booking services).
– If you cannot find a booth or lack exhibitor information, directly ask staff in uniform (usually at hall entrances or corridor corners). They can help contact exhibitors or provide exhibition zone guidance, saving you time compared to searching blindly.
4. Communicate with Suppliers
– Beyond conventional topics (material, price, customization cycle), ask about designer-specific cooperation policies. For favorite independent designer brands, inquire about the “designer co-branding channel” to explore long-term cooperation opportunities.
5. Bring Project Cases for More Concrete Communication
– Save photos or renderings of 3-5 representative projects on your mobile phone. When communicating with suppliers or peers, these visuals help others understand your needs faster and recommend more accurate products.
– When exchanging business cards, quickly note the “meeting scenario + core needs” on the back (e.g., “March 18, Contemporary Design Hall – discussed customized sofa texture”) to avoid forgetting details later.
6. Capture Practicable Design Details in Real Time
– When you see a favorite piece of furniture, take photos of its “design details” (not just the overall appearance) – these details may become innovative points for your future projects.
– When you encounter an inspiring design concept, record it immediately using a voice memo to avoid forgetting after the fair. Often, these “fragmented inspirations” from the fair can become core ideas for later projects.
7. Pay Attention to Materials and Craftsmanship
– For furniture you plan to purchase, ask suppliers for “material test reports” and “craftsmanship specification documents”, and take photos for reference.
If customization is involved, request a “customization confirmation form” to clarify size, material, color, and delivery time (to avoid “goods not matching the order” issues later).
8. Samples and Quotations
– When requesting samples, confirm: ① Whether the sample fee can be deducted from bulk orders; ② Which party bears the shipping cost. Ask suppliers to attach a label marked with “brand + model + quotation” to the sample packaging to avoid mixing it up with other samples.
– When recording quotations, confirm: ① The “validity period of the quotation” (usually 1-3 months); ② Whether “installation guidance” is included (some large furniture requires suppliers to provide installation drawings or videos). This avoids disputes caused by expired quotations or missing services later.
9. Don’t Miss the “Golden 3 Days” After the Fair
– Within 3 days after the fair, prioritize contacting high-intention suppliers: When sending an email, attach “fair communication records + detailed project requirements + reference renderings”. For example: “Regarding the new Chinese-style side cabinets we discussed at the fair, our company needs 10 sets for a villa project. Attached are the project space dimensions – please confirm the customization cycle.”
– For suppliers you are not yet sure about, send a short message to maintain the connection (e.g., “Thank you for the communication at CIFF. Your metal furniture designs are very distinctive – we will contact you first for relevant projects in the future”). This helps nurture relationships and creates opportunities for future cooperation.
These details may seem trivial, but they can help you avoid “unexpected troubles” during the fair, allowing you to focus more on finding high-quality furniture and exchanging design inspiration. We hope every designer can not only gain desired resources but also enjoy this grand feast of design and home furnishing at CIFF 2026!
For Designers: Why CIFF Guangzhou Is Your Must-Attend Annual Event
Positioned around three core pillars—Design Trend, Global Trade, and Full Supply Chain—CIFF Guangzhou is an unmissable annual gathering for interior designers, held every March (18-21 & 28-31) in Pazhou, Guangzhou.
Spanning 850,000 square meters, this exhibition is a one-stop creative and sourcing hub tailored to your design needs.
It brings together over 4,900 domestic and international brands, covering every category that fuels your projects: from home furniture (think designer sofas, custom solid wood pieces, and smart home essentials) and home decor & textiles (including handcrafted ornaments, textured carpets, and ambient lighting) to outdoor & leisure furniture (ideal for residential patios or commercial terraces).
For commercial and hospitality projects, you’ll find office furniture, commercial space solutions, and hotel-specific designs—plus, furniture machinery & raw materials if you’re seeking innovative materials (like eco-friendly fabrics or durable metal finishes) to elevate custom concepts.
What makes it even more valuable?
CIFF Guangzhou draws over 380,000 professional visitors from 200+ countries and regions—but for you, it’s not just about scale. It’s about relevance: the event is dedicated to advancing industry development and global trade, with a sharp focus on four priorities that matter most to designers:
– Design Trend: Discover the latest aesthetic directions and functional innovations that will keep your projects ahead of the curve.
– Intelligent Manufacturing: Explore furniture pieces crafted with precision tech—think smart cabinets with hidden storage or ergonomic chairs with tailored support—perfect for high-end residential or tech-focused commercial projects.
– Trade Promotion: Connect directly with brand owners and factories, whether you’re sourcing limited-edition designer pieces, negotiating custom orders, or building long-term partnerships for recurring projects.
– Quality Consumption: Every brand here is curated for quality, so you can trust that the furniture and materials you select meet the high standards your clients expect.