Phase 2 overview – The “Quality Home Life” focus
The Canton Fair stages three multi‑day phases each session. Phase 2 (October 23–27 2025) is branded Quality Home Life. It shifts the spotlight from industrial machinery to finished household products and includes three broad product blocks: housewares, gifts & decorations, and building & furniture. Government announcements emphasise that Phase 2 is designed to help global buyers source up‑market home products – bringing together building materials, sanitary equipment, furniture, home decorations and related products in a single five‑day show. For the Autumn 2025 session (the 138th fair), the organisers will again devote more than 14 hectares to building & furniture exhibitors, including a new integrated‑housing zone featuring modular homes and expandable structures. This guide helps you navigate the scale, find the right suppliers and evaluate them with Yana Sourcing’s higher‑dimensional framework.
Dates, venue and halls
- Dates: October 23–27 2025 (Phase 2). The fair opens 09:30–18:00 daily.
- Venue: China Import & Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex), Guangzhou. The complex has three main exhibition areas (A, B & C).
- Hall layout: Building & Decorative Materials occupy halls 11.1 – 13.2 in Area A, with stone/iron decoration and outdoor spa equipment in the open area at hall 13.0 (A courtyard). Sanitary and bathroom equipment exhibits are mainly in halls 11.2 and 12.2. Furniture stretches across halls 9.3, 10.2 – 10.3 and 11.3 in Area B. These assignments change slightly each session, so use the official fair app or map onsite to confirm.
Categories & product scope
The Building & Furniture sector is subdivided into product groups. Each group spans several halls and contains dozens of exhibit sections. Below is an overview with examples of products, based on the official exhibit directory and cross‑checked with the Canton Fair’s 2025 guide.
Major category | Sub‑category examples | Notes |
---|---|---|
Building materials | General building materials – cement products, metal building materials, chemical building materials, glass building materials; HVAC/cooling equipment and accessories; insulation & fireproof materials. | These products underpin construction and real‑estate projects. Many exhibitors now highlight low‑carbon materials and energy‑saving technologies. |
Coatings & chemistry – wall surface, waterproof and floor coatings; coating auxiliaries; dry‑mixed mortar; adhesives and admixtures; waterproof additives and technologies. | Waterproofing solutions are a hot area for export; look for suppliers offering eco‑friendly, VOC‑free formulations. | |
Pipe fittings – piping systems, fittings and valves. | A niche but essential component for construction procurement. | |
Decoration materials | Tiles – floor tiles, wall tiles, decorative tiles. | Ceramic and porcelain exporters often exhibit trending designs like large‑format slabs and digitally printed patterns. |
Wood flooring – solid wood, engineered wood, laminated flooring, cork and bamboo flooring. | Sustainable timber and bamboo products are increasingly popular with European buyers. | |
Ceilings/curtain wall/wallpaper & interior décor – drop ceilings, wallpaper, aluminum sheets, curtain wall systems, gypsum products, steel structures. | Some exhibitors showcase prefabricated wall panels and acoustic panels. | |
Doors & windows – wooden, PVC and aluminum alloy doors/windows; automatic doors; gating hardware systems; entrance guard electronics. | Door and window suppliers often also manufacture hardware and smart‑lock systems. | |
Stone materials – natural and man‑made stone for floors, landscaping and decoration. | Look for companies offering marble, granite, quartz and man‑made composites with low‑carbon footprints. | |
Glass – art glass and architectural glass. | Many exhibitors focus on energy‑saving glazing, tempered glass and laminated safety glass. | |
Kitchen equipment – kitchen units, cabinets, washing basins, kitchen accessories. | This subsection overlaps with the kitchenware halls; verify product scope. | |
Sanitary & bathroom equipment | Sanitary ceramics, bathtubs, bathroom units, steam rooms, showers, taps, bathroom hanging accessories, mirrors, furniture, water heaters, partitions, swimming pool equipment. | Look for suppliers with CE and WaterMark certifications; smart toilets and touchless faucets are trending. |
Furniture | Traditional Chinese style furniture – classical hardwood pieces. | Hand‑carved rosewood and Ming‑style replicas appeal to collectors. |
Domestic furniture – living‑room, dining‑room, bedroom, study, kitchen and bathroom furniture. | Many exhibitors offer ready‑to‑assemble (RTA) sets and trending minimalist designs. | |
Hotel & contract furniture – hotel, office, school and hospital furniture. | Buyers include hospitality chains and public‑sector procurement teams. | |
Outdoor furniture – garden, patio, beach and camping furniture. | Sustainability and weather‑resistant materials (aluminum, rattan, HDPE) are priorities. | |
Public space furniture & other – furniture for public spaces and semi‑finished parts. | Includes airport seating, auditorium seating and components. | |
Stone/Iron decoration & outdoor spa equipment | Stone and iron sculptures, man‑made stone decorations, outdoor spa equipment and spare parts. | Exhibitors often display fountains, garden sculptures and hot‑tub systems. |
Market trends & innovations
“Quality Home Life” and the Big Home concept
Chinese media note that the second phase emphasises the quality home life concept, integrating building materials, furniture and household goods to showcase complete home solutions. The fair aims to fulfil the global shift toward better living environments – combining comfort, aesthetics and functionality. Exhibitors highlight energy‑efficient building materials, low‑VOC coatings, water‑saving sanitary products, and multi‑functional furniture that maximises small spaces. There is also a strong focus on modular and prefabricated housing: the 2025 Autumn fair will include a dedicated integrated‑housing zone where companies display modular homes, container houses and expandable structures.
Sustainability & green building materials
Global demand for eco‑friendly building materials continues to grow. Many Chinese suppliers now promote:
- Recycled and low‑carbon materials: metal and glass manufacturers highlight high recycled content. Stone suppliers show engineered quartz that reduces mining impact.
- Energy‑efficient glazing & insulation: double‑ and triple‑glazed glass, low‑e coatings, vacuum‑insulation panels and phase‑change materials help improve building envelopes.
- Water‑saving bathroom products: dual‑flush toilets, low‑flow showerheads and motion‑sensor faucets reduce consumption. Some exhibitors integrate grey‑water recycling into bathroom units.
- Sustainable timber & bamboo: furniture companies emphasise FSC‑certified woods, bamboo furniture and formaldehyde‑free adhesives. Laminated bamboo flooring offers high strength and low environmental impact.
Smart & modular design
Technological integration is also shaping the building & furniture sector:
- Smart home & IoT: suppliers incorporate smart locks, remote‑controlled window systems, voice‑activated lighting and sensor‑embedded furniture. Bathroom units may include temperature‑controlled baths and mirror displays.
- Prefabricated & modular systems: modular kitchens, prefabricated bathroom pods and integrated wall panels enable faster construction and easier installation. The integrated‑housing zone will feature container homes and expandable modular houses.
- Multi‑functional & space‑saving furniture: convertible sofas, fold‑away desks and beds with storage appeal to apartment dwellers. Customisable modular shelving systems allow flexible layouts.
Navigation & sourcing tips
Plan your route
The building & furniture halls span multiple floors and areas. Here are suggestions to maximise efficiency:
- Download the official fair app: It includes a searchable exhibitor directory, hall maps and route planning. The building & decorative materials halls (11.1 – 13.2) are in Area A; sanitary equipment occupies 11.2/12.2; furniture is mainly in Area B (9.3, 10.2 – 10.3, 11.3). Stone/iron decoration exhibits extend into the outdoor 13.0 courtyard. Use the app’s bookmarking function to create a list of priority booths.
- Schedule themed days: Dedicate separate days to building materials, sanitary equipment and furniture. Hopping between categories wastes time because halls are far apart.
- Arrive early and wear comfortable footwear: Hall corridors get crowded after midday. Starting early helps you secure longer conversations with busy exhibitors and avoid lines.
- Utilise shuttle buses & metro connections: The Pazhou Complex has multiple entrances (gates 4, 5, 10, etc.). Shuttle buses circulate between Areas A, B and C. The metro station (Pazhou) serves the complex; exit A leads to Area A and exit B to Area C.
- Carry essentials: Bring business cards, sample specs, note‑taking tools and a lightweight backpack. An extended power bank helps if you plan to photograph product details.
Show highlights & events
- Integrated‑housing zone (Hall 13.0 courtyard): See modular homes, container houses and prefabricated cottages. Some exhibitors offer VR tours demonstrating assembly and energy performance.
- Green building display: Many building material suppliers now showcase eco‑friendly products. Look for signs indicating “green building”, “low VOC” or “recycled content”.
- Design & lifestyle furniture: In Area B’s furniture halls, designers exhibit contemporary Chinese and Scandinavian‑inspired pieces. High‑end manufacturers often have showrooms replicating living spaces, giving you a feel for quality.
- Live demonstrations: Some sanitary equipment companies demonstrate installation and maintenance; new faucet designs may showcase water‑saving features and sensor technology. At building material booths, you may witness on‑site tests for adhesives or waterproof membranes.
Sourcing strategies & negotiation
- Pre‑show preparation: Identify target suppliers using the fair’s website and app. Check which companies align with your quality requirements (e.g., CE, RoHS, FSC certifications) and product types. Contact them before the fair to arrange meetings.
- Evaluate capabilities, not just displays: Booths can look polished, but real capability lies in production processes. Ask about manufacturing scale, lead times, raw material sourcing and quality control systems. For building materials, request performance data such as fire ratings or thermal conductivity. For furniture, inspect joinery, surface finishing and packaging.
- Compare multiple suppliers: Don’t sign MOUs on the spot. Collect catalogues and samples from several vendors. Use a spreadsheet to compare price, minimum order quantity (MOQ), certifications, design flexibility and after‑sales service.
- Consider logistics & regulations: Building materials can be heavy and regulated by import standards. Discuss packaging, palletising and shipping options. Check whether certifications (CE, CCC, FSC, EPA, etc.) meet your destination’s requirements.
- Negotiate beyond price: In addition to unit cost, negotiate on payment terms (e.g., deposit percentage, L/C), warranty, delivery time, and customisation support. Many Chinese suppliers are open to small MOQs for first orders, especially if you commit to long‑term cooperation.
- Document agreements: After handshake agreements at the fair, follow up with detailed emails summarising specifications, prices and timelines. Use bilingual contracts to avoid misunderstandings.
Yana Sourcing’s SMART + HEART framework for building & furniture
Yana Sourcing applies a holistic evaluation methodology that balances objective data with human insight. Our SMART (Supplier Basics, Market & Financials, Assurance & Certifications, References & Case Studies, Transparency & ESG) + HEART (History, Execution, Agility, Reliability, Trust) framework ensures that selected suppliers meet both hard and soft criteria.
- S – Supplier Basics → For building & furniture suppliers, we validate company ownership, production capacity and product range. Does the manufacturer specialise in the materials you need (e.g., stone, timber, modular homes), and can they support your long‑term portfolio? We look for vertically integrated companies with in‑house design and R&D capabilities.
- M – Market & Financials → Beyond booth appearance, we analyse revenue trends, export markets and investment in R&D. Are they financially stable enough to deliver large contracts? Do they invest in sustainability (e.g., renewable energy usage, waste reduction)?
- A – Assurance & Certifications → Certifications such as ISO 9001/14001, CE, FSC, WaterMark and GreenGuard are essential. We verify test reports for fire ratings, formaldehyde emissions, load capacity and water efficiency. In modular housing, we ensure compliance with international building codes.
- R – References & Case Studies → We check on‑time delivery records, installation support and after‑sales service. References from previous clients (hotel chains, developers) reveal actual performance. For furniture, we inspect sample orders for workmanship and durability.
- T – Transparency & ESG → Environmental and social responsibility matter. We evaluate whether suppliers disclose raw material sources (e.g., FSC‑certified timber), energy consumption and labour practices. Carbon‑footprint disclosures and recycling programmes are pluses.
HEART emphasises the human dimension:
- History → How long has the supplier operated in the building or furniture sector? A track record of surviving market cycles speaks to stability.
- Execution → Can they deliver consistently on time and to specification? We review their project management and communication practices.
- Agility → In construction and interior design projects, requirements evolve. We assess whether the supplier can adapt to design changes, custom finishes or sudden increases in quantity.
- Reliability → We verify reliability by checking warranty claim rates, quality reports and customer feedback. For modular housing or prefabricated bathrooms, reliability includes weatherproofing and structural integrity.
- Trust → Cultural alignment and transparency are crucial. We spend time understanding both parties’ motivations and values. Long‑term partnerships are built on mutual respect, open communication and fairness.
By integrating SMART + HEART, Yana Sourcing elevates your procurement from a commodity transaction to a strategic partnership. We help you filter hundreds of building & furniture exhibitors down to a handful of trustworthy partners who deliver quality products, embrace sustainability and align with your company’s ethos. Our on‑the‑ground tours and sourcing advisory service provide translation, negotiation support and follow‑up to ensure your Canton Fair experience yields tangible, long‑term value.
Related Links
To explore overall information and information about other categories, please visit our general sourcing guide: Canton Fair 2025 Autumn Master Guide: Dates, Phases, Registration, Travel & Sourcing Strategies.
Or visit the offical Canton Fair 2025 website at: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US
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