Greater Noida Hosts IHGF Spring Fair For Home Decor
The 61st edition of the IHGF Delhi Spring Fair opened at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida on 14 February, ushering in one of Asia’s largest trade platforms for home décor, fashion, furniture and lifestyle products. Organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the five-day event brings together thousands of makers, designers and global buyers, underscoring India’s evolving role in design-led manufacturing and export-oriented value chains.
More than 10,000 manufacturers and exporters — from traditional weavers to contemporary furniture makers — are showcasing diversified products spanning handcrafted décor, handloom textiles, fashion accessories and trend-driven interiors. A dedicated focus on furniture, with over 350 exhibitors in the segment, reflects rising demand for quality furnishing solutions as urban housing and commercial projects proliferate across Indian cities.The fair’s timing and scale are significant. In an era where urban populations and incomes are rising, interior aesthetics and product quality have increasingly become key decision drivers in real estate and redevelopment projects. Urban planners and real estate developers consider thoughtfully designed home products and contemporary finishes as value enhancers in residential and mixed-use developments — a trend that fairs like IHGF help catalyse by connecting supply with design needs.
At the inauguration, the Union Textile Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding export opportunities for India’s artisan economy and integrating small producers into global markets. Enhanced trade frameworks such as the India-UK and India-EU Free Trade Agreements were mentioned as catalysts for deeper market access, particularly for handcrafted products with competitive design and quality credentials.A key feature of this edition is the Young Designers’ Collective, bringing emerging talent from prestigious design institutions into the spotlight. This initiative links fresh creative thinking with traditional craft techniques, a combination experts say is essential for sustaining cultural heritage while meeting contemporary consumer preferences. Exhibitors also include curated presentations from North-Eastern handloom weavers and regional craft hubs in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, amplifying the geographic diversity of India’s artisanal output.
Beyond commerce, the fair serves as an incubator for inclusive economic growth. Many participants are small-scale enterprises and rural artisans whose products, once showcased, can attract bulk orders from international and domestic buyers alike. Trade fairs thus function as bridges into mainstream value chains and can help reduce barriers that typically constrain rural producers from tapping broader markets.The event also emphasises sustainable design trends, with exhibitors showcasing eco-friendly materials and craft processes, responding to growing consumer awareness about climate impact and resource efficiency in built environments. Such shifts align with urban aspirations for greener homes and responsibly sourced interior solutions, especially in cities where sustainability certifications increasingly influence buyer choices.
Historically, the IHGF Delhi Fair has evolved into a dynamic sourcing ecosystem, consistently attracting global buyers from over 100 countries and reflecting India’s robust handicraft and lifestyle export potential. As urban populations seek higher quality, locally designed goods, platforms like IHGF can help align artisan capabilities with international design and procurement standards, strengthening both domestic design industries and export-led growth.
