So you want to travel to Paris & make it a business write-off?

If you’re an interior designer in the USA, Maison et Objet might be just the travel-excuse you’ve been looking for. But is it really worth it?

I moved to Paris in 2024 after 17 years running a residential interior design studio in Seattle, Washington. Since moving here, I’ve been to Maison et Objet twice.

Before I moved here I looked hard at traveling to Paris for the show, but all the articles I found sounded more like ads for Maison et Objet than sincere reflections—all “zeitgeist” this and “emerging talent” that. If you’re trying to decide whether or not to attend Maison et Objet, you don’t need slick advertising—you need an honest take. So here is mine.

Let’s take a look at:

• Whether I think the show is worth it (particularly for US-based interior designers).
• If the cost of the trip from the US to Paris just for Maison et Objet is worth it.

(NOTE: Since closing my design studio, I work full-time as a business and marketing coach for residential interior designers. My answers below come from both personal experience running my studio as well as the needs of the designers I’ve coached.)

How Does It Compare to US Interior Design Trade Shows Like KBIS?

Let’s start with a quick comparison. In the US, the main trade show I attend is KBIS—the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show—hosted by the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). It’s exactly what you’d expect: an all-you-can-eat buffet of tile, plumbing fixtures, kitchen tech, and everything else related to residential remodeling. I find it a tremendously useful show!

Maison et Objet, on the other hand? It’s maybe 10% kitchen/bath/remodeling resources, then perhaps 20% high-end furnishings, and the rest is luxury home accessories, objects of art, and gifts… things like ashtrays so beautiful they make you wish you smoked, entire halls filled with candles and handmade glass fragrance diffusers, and other things like stationery, handbags, and more aimed at supplying home goods and boutique giftware shops.

Is It Worth It to Go to Maison et Objet?

Here’s the deal: unless you’re already an established, high-end designer, or you own a showroom or shop you need to fill, I wouldn’t expect this to be a sourcing trip—at least not on your first visit.

Instead, expect to be inspired by European design. Use it as a chance to reconnect with older brands at their source and discover new ones you’ve never heard of. You’re not necessarily building vendor relationships here—you’re expanding your vision.

Does that mean it’s not worth it?

Quite the contrary! To quote Audrey Hepburn: Paris is always a good idea.

Getting away from your day-to-day design grind is good for your mental health. I started taking month-long trips to Europe about six years into running my firm, and I came back from every single one more inspired, refreshed, and focused. My team knew to brace for a post-trip download of Big Ideas.

Dude, It’s a Write-Off

Plus, let’s not ignore the obvious: it’s a legit business write-off!

Running a business is exhausting—the least you can do is benefit from the system you’re working so hard in. Can you write off the entire trip? Not exactly. Talk to your accountant, but here’s the gist:

You can generally write off the business portion of your expenses—things like your Maison et Objet ticket, flights, and transportation directly related to the show. But if you tack on a week of museum hopping and wine tasting? That part’s on you.

Still, writing off the plane ticket alone is a big win.

PRO TIP: Plan ahead! Maison et Objet early-bird tickets are very affordable (35€, or about $40, as of the writing of this article). The deepest discounts for the September 2025 Maison et Objet show end June 26th. I’ll be going and would love to see you there! 💛

But Wait… The Math Isn’t That Simple

Yes, you can write off part of the trip—but don’t forget the actual cost. And not just the flights, lodging, and meals… you’re also taking time away from your business. Can you afford both the expense and the temporary income dip?

Only you—and your Profit & Loss statement—can answer that. Personally, my desire to travel was one of the reasons I went from solopreneur to building a team. Being able to step away while the studio kept running was a game-changer.

That said, if I were attending my very first design conference and funds were tight, I’d go to a US-based show like KBIS or High Point instead. You’ll build relationships with vendors, colleagues, and contractors who can immediately support your business growth.

But if you want an excuse to go to Paris? Heck yes, use Maison et Objet to write off that flight. 🙌

Show Logistics

Should you attend Maison et Objet in January or September? And What About Paris Design Week?

Same show, different times of year. Which should you attend?

Well, the weather’s better in September. 😜

But more seriously, I’ve attended both and found them pretty similar. The biggest difference is that in September, Paris Design Week (a city-wide celebration of design with open studios, gallery shows, and pop-up installations) happens concurrently with Maison et Objet, whereas in January, it’s just Maison et Objet.

Is Paris Design Week worth it?

It’s a well-promoted and well-mapped event, but it’s not the wild showroom party you might expect from a US event. Vendors aren’t providing drinks and nibbles for the general public (though I did get access to a couple of private events that had delightful champagne-and-bites – yum!). Extreme-marketing just isn’t a thing in Paris. Instead, marketing is understated. The French seem to feel that if a product is worth it, you’ll find it. They’re not going to put on a song and dance for you.

Still, Paris Design Week is a great way to explore Parisian showrooms—just temper your expectations. There’s no fanfare. Just beautiful spaces.

The takeaway on when to go? Honestly, go when your calendar allows—or when it overlaps with other activities you want to do.

Should You Attend the Show for More Than One Day?

Maison et Objet typically runs for 4 days. The first time I went, I spent the first day doing a full recon just to get a sense of the show, then came back for a second day to dive deeper into booths that caught my attention, and chat with vendors. That was enough for me – my brain was too full to go back for a third day.

Prepare to be exhausted. As with any tradeshow, it’s a lot of visual and auditory input and a lot of walking on concrete floors, but there’s one big difference: it’s also in French! Which leads us to an important question:

Do You Need to Speak French to go to Maison et Objet?

Short answer: no. In fact, I discovered that many of the vendors are international (as opposed to French), and the majority of them spoke enough English to carry on a conversation about their product.

That did not extend to the Eco-Materials tour I took… held completely in French. 😬 I was able to follow along with my B1 French…but I didn’t ask any questions lol. 😂 As for the other continuous learning, expert panels, and workshops… they seemed to be in French, but the itinerary was listed in French and English (see below), so they may have had an audio translation option I wasn’t aware of.

So, no, I don’t think you need to speak French to attend the show and even enjoy it (especially if you have a guide), but obviously not speaking French will limit some conversation and learning opportunities.

A Quick Note on Where to Stay

Maison et Objet isn’t actually in Paris. It’s held at Paris Nord Villepinte, which is about a 45-minute RER train ride from the city center.

No biggie—just plan ahead. There’s not much near the venue, so I’d definitely recommend staying in Paris itself and taking the train to the show. Want more specific advice on which neighborhood of Paris to stay in? DM me on Instagram @beseriouslyhappy… I’m happy to give you recommendations based on what kind of vibe you’re looking for.

Big Picture – Is Maison et Objet Worth It?

Yes, but personally I would either try to make it part of a larger business retreat, or just a small part of a personal restorative vacation. It’s nice to write off business trips, but it’s much more important to enjoy your time away – we don’t get enough of it in the USA.

And consider coming with friends! IDS (the Interior Design Society) frequently hosts a tour to the September show (though it fills up quickly).

And I’m here, too! I offer VIP day-long and week-long branding retreats here in Paris for interior designers who want to deepen their business strategy while soaking up French style. Traveling solo or with your design besties? Let me know you’re coming—I’d love to help you make the most of your time.

The most important first step:

Make sure your business investments match your business goals. If you want to use trips like this to attract better clients, elevate your brand, or clarify your Design POV—you must start by Nailing Your Niche. Otherwise, you risk spending a lot of money and putting out a lot of energy trying to build a brand, only to find yourself treading water when you should be building momentum. Click here to learn more or register for the July session.

May your design biz make you Seriously Happy! 💛 Rebecca