On Saturday 6th September 2025, Melbourne once again proved why it sits at the centre of the region’s design conversation. This year’s Saturday Indesign unfolded across the city in a memorable showcase of creativity, innovation and collaboration, transforming showrooms, streets and studios into a vibrant network of experiences. Architects, designers, specifiers and enthusiasts poured into three buzzing precincts – Richmond, Collingwood and the CBD/South Melbourne. These were each connected by hop-on, hop-off buses for those keen to discover everything on offer throughout the day.
Each precinct revealed its own character and highlights. In Richmond, visitors watched artisans at work as Baya demonstrated live rug crafting with Sandringham Rugs woven from New Zealand wool. On a nearby rooftop, Cosh Living presented A Cosh Summer, unveiling Kett and Tribù’s latest outdoor collections against the backdrop of the city skyline. Meanwhile, art and design merged at Design Precinct as they joined forces with DECO, Havwoods and Klaro Industrial Design to showcase various pieces and put on a Sydney-versus-Melbourne panel discussion.
Collingwood invited guests into a more intimate dialogue with design. Innerspace sparked conversation with Designing Outside The Lines, a panel on how outdoor furniture fosters connection, while K5 Furniture transformed its showroom into a communal hub with ‘Around the Kitchen Table’ talks. Down in the CBD and South Melbourne, Gaggenau showcased their ‘The Icons of Gaggenau’ exhibition, revealing its new Expressive and Minimalistic series. Schiavello welcomed guests to its chic Garden Party, while Cosentino partnered with Thermomix for a lively healthy cooking demonstration, blending lifestyle with innovation.
At the heart of the day were the Design Discussions, a program of free panels full of ideas and inspiration. Topics ranged from the power of colour in storytelling and the crossover between hospitality and residential design. Emerging talent also took centre stage in a session questioning when young designers stop being considered ‘emerging,’ while Living Edge’s talk on the future of work explored how shifting culture is reshaping our workplaces. Each discussion drew a mix of professionals eager to reflect on the ideas shaping the industry.
Immersive installations further heightened the experience through The Project, which in 2025 explored the theme of Resonance. Cosentino’s ‘Cristalo Resonance’, Innerspace’s interactive ‘Sit. Touch. Connect’, K5’s ‘Quiet Radical’ and V-ZUG’s collaboration with Whitehouse Institute of Design all pushed the boundaries of multisensory engagement, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect and connect with materials and ideas in unexpected ways.
The atmosphere throughout the precincts was equally playful and rewarding. Hali Rugs’ ‘Wool You Hit It?’ installation invited guests to take a swing at wool pom-poms for the chance to win a $5,000 voucher, while top3 by design enticed design lovers with a three-night Port Douglas getaway and a coveted Flowerpot Portable Light by &Tradition. The popular Design Passport challenge kept spirits high too, as attendees checked in at multiple showrooms to go in the running for a share of prizes valued at more than $55,000.
The energy of the day then carried seamlessly through to the evening, with the official Afterparty hosted at The Albion Rooftop in South Melbourne. With live music, flowing drinks and a panoramic view of the city, it provided the perfect backdrop for the design community to celebrate, network and unwind after a full day of inspiration.
The 2025 edition once again reaffirmed Saturday Indesign’s position as one of the most anticipated dates on the design calendar – a day where the city doesn’t just showcase design, it embodies it. Saturday Indesign will return to Sydney in 2026 and we are already excited!
