5 Up-and-Coming Design Studios to Watch in 2026

The studios that tend to last are rarely the ones making the most noise. They build patiently, refine their ideas over time, and let the work do the talking. Looking toward 2026, a small group of design studios feels especially well positioned, not because they are chasing scale, but because their work shows restraint, coherence, and a clear sense of direction.

Spanning furniture, lighting, and object design, these five studios are shaping their practices carefully, with an eye toward longevity rather than trend cycles.

1. Supersedia

Italy

Founded by designer Markus Töll, Supersedia produces furniture that feels both industrial and surprisingly sensitive. At first glance, the work can appear strict or structural. Spend more time with it, and the subtleties emerge. Edges soften, proportions reveal intention, and materials behave in unexpected ways.

Metal plays a central role in Supersedia’s work, but it is handled with the care and nuance typically associated with wood or upholstery. As the studio continues to expand its collaborations and explore new scales, its influence is likely to grow well beyond the furniture category.

2. Research.Lighting

Brooklyn

Research.Lighting approaches lighting as something structural rather than decorative. The studio’s fixtures are defined by proportion, clarity, and a quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly what a piece needs, and what it does not.

There is a consistency across the collection that feels intentional rather than formulaic. Materials are chosen for how they age and perform, not just how they photograph. As the studio continues to expand its presence in residential and commercial interiors, its work feels increasingly aligned with a broader shift toward lighting that supports spaces instead of competing with them.

3. Cordon Salon

Australia

Founded by Ella Saddington, Cordon Salon operates in a space where craft, research, and storytelling overlap. The studio’s work often draws from historical techniques and overlooked processes, resulting in objects that feel deeply considered without being referential.

Rather than settling into a single category, Cordon Salon moves fluidly between furniture, architectural elements, and material studies. That openness gives the practice room to evolve while maintaining a strong internal logic. As interest in process-driven design continues to deepen, the studio’s work feels especially timely.

4. Ah Um Design Studio

Los Angeles

Ah Um Design Studio is known for furniture that leans into texture without tipping into excess. Wood, tile, and textile elements are combined in ways that feel measured, with each material given space to register before the form pulls back.

The studio’s work often references familiar furniture types, but avoids nostalgia. Instead, pieces feel grounded and contemporary, shaped by material decisions rather than surface gestures. As Ah Um continues to broaden its collections and visibility, it is likely to resonate with designers looking for warmth that still feels precise.

5. Bower Studios

Brooklyn

Bower Studios has built its practice around collaboration and material honesty. Furniture, mirrors, and lighting are developed with an emphasis on process, often involving artists and makers directly in the work.

What stands out is how the studio balances growth with restraint. Even as projects expand in scope, the work retains a sense of hand and intention. As interest in craft-forward design continues to grow, Bower’s approach feels well suited to the next phase of contemporary interiors.

Looking Ahead

What connects these studios is not a shared aesthetic, but a shared discipline. None of the work feels rushed. None of it relies on novelty for impact. Instead, each studio is building a body of work that rewards attention and holds up over time.

If 2026 signals anything, it may be a renewed appreciation for design that is confident enough to slow down.

Images Courtesy of Research.Lighting