Rethink residential design with Stannah at Grand Designs Live 2026

Are you planning a self-build, renovating your forever home, or looking to future-proof your living space?

Join us at Grand Designs Live at Birmingham’s NEC from 2–4 October 2026, where Stannah will be challenging architects, designers, and homeowners to completely rethink the role of accessibility in residential design.

As the official lift partner for this year's show, we are launching our brand-new “Design Better” campaign. We’re calling on the entire housing and home improvement industry to move away from treating accessibility as an afterthought. Instead, we want to show you how inclusive, thoughtful design can and should be integrated into both new projects and existing homes from the very beginning.

Here is why a visit to the Stannah stand needs to be at the top of your Grand Designs Live itinerary.

Experience the Launch of "Design Better"

At Stannah, we believe a simple truth: great design should work for everyone. Accessible homes and beautiful homes are not separate concepts. Beautiful, aspirational design and inclusive living can and should go hand in hand.

"Grand Designs Live provides us with an opportunity to challenge the way we think about residential design. Accessibility shouldn’t be something that is considered only when a specific need arises, or simply designed around minimum requirements. Ideally, inclusive design should be part of the conversation from the very beginning, but designing better doesn’t always mean starting from scratch."

— Sam Stannah, CEO

Whether you're starting with a blank canvas or looking to thoughtfully adapt your current home to support long-term independence, our goal is to show you how practical, elegant solutions can elevate your everyday living.

Catch Our Expert Panel Sessions Live on Stage

Beyond our stand, members of the Stannah team will be taking to the stage across the event to share expert insights, practical advice, and fresh perspectives on home design:

• Friday, 2 October - Build & Renovate Theatre
  • Session: “Design Better: Why Inclusive Homes Should Be the Standard”
  • Speakers: Louis Stannah (6th generation of the Stannah family), Kate Sheehan (In-house Occupational Therapist), and Karl Lumsden (Architectural Designer).
  • What to expect: A deep dive into why accessibility is still too often treated as a late addition, and how self-builders, architects, and specifiers can move beyond minimum standards to build homes that are genuinely fit for the future.
• Saturday, 3 October - Home & Garden Stage
  • Session: “Better Homes Start With Better Design”
  • Speakers: Kate Sheehan (In-house Occupational Therapist) and Karl Lumsden (Architectural Designer).
  • What to expect: Practical ways to integrate accessibility into new builds and existing spaces without compromising on aesthetics or style.

Get Exclusive First Looks & One-on-One Advice

Visitors to our stand will also get an exclusive first look at Stannah’s latest accessibility and homelift innovations, designed to redefine what stylish, independent living looks like.

Our specialist team will be on hand throughout all three days of the show to chat through your plans. Whether you want to discuss:

• Integrating a homelift into your architectural plans
• Adapting an existing layout for changing family needs
• Designing for long-term independence without sacrificing visual appeal

...we’re here to help you turn your vision into reality.

Plan Your Visit

• Event: Grand Designs Live
• Dates: 2-4 October 2026
• Location: NEC, Birmingham

Don't miss the chance to see how thoughtful design can make your home work for everyone, at every stage of life. Visit the Stannah stand at Grand Designs Live to experience our latest homelift innovations and speak with our expert team!