The results are in, and the winners of this year’s Furniture Awards have now been announced! As the January Furniture show once again returns to the NEC, the Furniture Awards serves as an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s most creative and innovative brands. Launched in January 2015 by Furniture News in partnership with the January Furniture Show, The Furniture Awards are an integral part of the exhibition every year, and 2022 is no exception. 

Deviating from previous years, entrants were asked to detail how their business was leading the industry in one of following new categories: 

Sustainability: Environmental and ethical concerns are now more important than ever – This category is for any business that champions sustainable practices and demonstrates the will to make the world a better place. 

Best of British: As British-made goods gather momentum, this category is for businesses that principally manufacture in the UK and demonstrate high standards of output, with regard for their place in the local economy and industry. 

Design Innovation: This category is for any business that puts original design at the heart of their strategy and are pushing boundaries of creativity, with entrants providing visual evidence of these directions, plus detail of their route to market. 

Global Player: The pandemic has been tough on importers, forcing them to work tirelessly to ensure they have the product and processes to succeed. This category is for any business that majors in imports, and their entry will need to reflect their strengths in product development, pricing and fulfilment, plus details of how their offer is tailored to the UK marketplace. 

After much deliberation, the winners selected this year are: 

Sustainability - Winner: Signature Kauri (stand 1-E77) 

Sustainability - Highly Commended: Skovby (stand 1-A35) 

Best of British - Winner: Shire Beds (stand 5-G20) 

Best of British - Highly Commended: Buoyant Upholstery (stand 5-F30) 

Design Innovation - Winner: Gallery Direct (stand 2-E40) 

Design Innovation - Highly Commended: Scandinavian House (stand 5-A10) 

Global Player - Winner: Bluebone Imports (stand 2-F10) 

Global Player - Highly Commended: Wiemann (stand 4-C50) 

In addition to valuable media coverage, each winner will receive a voucher for CGI services courtesy of creative digital agency Orbital Vision. 

The submissions were judged by: Dids Macdonald, ACID (Anti Copying In Design) and The Furniture Makers’ Company; Deirdre Mc Gettrick, ufurnish.com; Malcolm Walker, FIRST (Furniture Industry Retail Sourcing Today) MW; Royce Clark, Grampian Furnishers; and Mike Murray, Land of Beds. The panel was again chaired by awards coordinator, Furniture News’ Paul Farley, who says: “Well done to this year’s winners. Emerging first in these categories is a real testament to their approaches and abilities, and I’d urge anyone visiting this month’s show to pay them a visit!”

Be sure to see the winners receive their awards at 2pm on Sunday 24th April at the back of Hall 1.