Updated on: October 14, 2026
“Brussels does not have a main art or design school. We’re not nationalistic and we’re rather quiet and humble about what we do. Because of this, artists feel free to explore their creativity.”
Belgian design rarely shouts, yet it has shaped how the world thinks about furniture, architecture and interiors for more than a century. To understand why, there are few better guides than Elien Haentjens, a Brussels-based art historian, journalist and curator who has championed Belgian designers at home and abroad, from Brussels to São Paulo.
In 2018, Haentjens curated ADORNO’s Brussels Collection, 17 pieces of furniture, lighting and decorative objects that debuted at Collectible, the Brussels fair for 21st-century design. Highlights included concrete-and-steel structures inspired by reinforcement bars, a cast bronze sculptural chair and tables made from fibers of the carnaúba palm. In the interview below, she explains what gives Belgian design its edge and shares her 24-hour design itinerary for Brussels.
What makes Belgian design distinctive?
Belgium is small but culturally layered, shaped by Dutch, French and German influences. As a result, there is no single national style. Instead, Belgian design is known for a quiet confidence: honest materials, careful proportions and a willingness to experiment. Notably, this freedom is part of why Brussels has become a hub for collectible design, with fairs such as Collectible drawing makers and collectors from across Europe.
For more on the scene, read our features on a more inclusive future for Belgian design and Haentjens’ top picks from the Contemporary Design Market.
Q&A with Elien Haentjens
You’ve curated exhibitions championing Belgian design in Brazil. What makes the Belgian design scene distinctive?
The Belgian design scene is rich, diverse and high quality. Although Belgium is small, it is culturally diverse, with both Germanic and Latin influences. There is no main artistic direction or art school, so people feel free to experiment. Since the Middle Ages, open-minded and progressive art lovers, and later design lovers, have supported artists in their creative process.
At different points in history, the country was doing very well economically, and this resulted in a well-developed cultural scene with world-famous artists such as Jan van Eyck and Peter Paul Rubens. At the end of the 19th century, Victor Horta designed the Tassel House, which can be seen as the manifesto of the Art Nouveau movement. Another important figure in this flourishing Brussels period was Henry van de Velde, who worked according to the idea of “form follows function.” He developed products that could use industrial machines to make design affordable for everybody. He later founded the school in Weimar that became the Bauhaus, as well as La Cambre in Brussels, where students are still taught according to his ideas.
This rich history is the breeding ground of the contemporary Belgian scene. In the last 20 years, Belgian designers such as Maarten Van Severen and Vincent Van Duysen have gained wide international attention.
What does an online platform like ADORNO offer that local galleries don’t?
It offers flexibility to designers, and by doing so it opens up new possibilities. Pieces are on show 24/7, whereas in a classic gallery a designer’s work is only shown once in a while. Because of its international DNA, each designer can immediately reach a global market.
What other design cities do you admire?
São Paulo, because I know most of the designers and it feels like my second home, and Milan, because it played, and still plays, a major role in the design world. I’m also curious about the design scene in Mexico; Mexico City was the World Design Capital in 2018.
A 24-hour Brussels design itinerary
If a design-loving friend came to stay with you in Brussels for 24 hours, where would you take them? Haentjens’ picks below date from 2018, so check opening hours before you go. Some venues may have changed.
Morning: Art Nouveau and galleries
Start with breakfast at Jam Hotel, a project by Brussels designer Lionel Jadot. Then visit the house and studio of Victor Horta, now the Horta Museum, one of the finest Art Nouveau interiors in Europe. Next, head to La Patinoire Royale, a vast gallery in a former roller-skating rink, followed by the galleries of Xavier Hufkens and Almine Rech.
Afternoon: Marolles and Grand Place
After lunch, wander through the Marolles, a neighborhood full of antiques and vintage design shops. Then cross to the Grand Place (Grote Markt), which Haentjens calls the finest marketplace in the world. Along the way, stop at design galleries and stores, and at Stijl for Belgian fashion. For a waffle, go to Gaston, another Lionel Jadot project.
Evening: design, dinner and a last beer
Visit MAD, the Brussels center for design and fashion, or the Design Museum Brussels near the Atomium. For dinner, Au Vieux Saint Martin serves classic Belgian specialties. Finally, end the night at Chez Richard, where antique dealers gather during the day and a younger crowd takes over after dark.
Shop Belgian design and Brussels-inspired pieces
The pieces from the original 2018 Brussels Collection have since sold. However, Belgian makers and Brussels stories still run through the ADORNO catalog. Here are four pieces worth knowing.
The Mirror Of Simple Souls (large) by COSEINCORSO
Handmade in Belgium, this mirror draws on the medieval stoups placed at church entrances and beside the beds of the Béguines. Its hand-brushed stainless steel plate gives a softly blurred reflection, while a painted iron half-sphere can hold small objects or stay empty. It measures about 48.8 x 24.6 x 6.3 inches (124 x 62.5 x 16 cm) and comes in a limited edition of 15. See more mirrors.
By COSEINCORSO
€4.700 incl. tax
The Bench by COSEINCORSO
Inspired by the wooden benches of Christian churches, The Bench has smooth angles cut by hand in raw iron, then blackened for a painterly texture. Its cushions are made from Belgian linen and filled with goose down. In this way, it pairs austere form with soft comfort, a balance typical of Belgian design. Browse more benches.
By COSEINCORSO
€2.080 incl. tax
“Spare” Table Lamp in Ultraclear Glass and Metal by JAN PAUL
Spare is built from 26 clear light bulbs stuck together like bubbles. One bulb burns while the others act as a shade; when it fails, you simply screw the holder onto the next. Notably, the lamp is part of the permanent collection of Design Museum Gent in Belgium. It is wired for 220/230V European networks. See more table lamps.
By JAN PAUL
€220 incl. tax
Dinner In Brussels – Aluminum Candelabra by Vilius Dringelis
Vilius Dringelis cast this candelabra from the imprint of a discarded food wrapper he found on Rue Belliard in the European Quarter, next to the European Parliament. The crumpled foil becomes a pewtered aluminum object, so a piece of Brussels street life ends up on the dinner table. Explore more candleholders.
€1.900 incl. tax
More Belgian design on ADORNO
Belgium has featured at many of ADORNO’s events. Read about Belgium at Virtual Design Destination 2020, Belgium at Crossovers 2019 and the original launch of the Brussels Collection. You can also meet Belgian designer Lou van ’t Riet and catch up on Collectible 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is Belgian design known for?
Belgian design is known for honest materials, restrained forms and a spirit of experimentation. It draws on a long tradition that runs from Art Nouveau to contemporary collectible design.
Who are famous Belgian designers?
Historic figures include Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde. Contemporary names include Maarten Van Severen and Vincent Van Duysen, alongside a new generation of independent studios.
Who is Elien Haentjens?
Elien Haentjens is a Brussels-based art historian, journalist and curator. She curated ADORNO’s Brussels Collection in 2018 and has organized exhibitions of Belgian design in Brazil.
What is Collectible in Brussels?
Collectible is an annual fair in Brussels dedicated to 21st-century collectible design. It launched in 2018 and brings together galleries, studios and independent designers.
Where can I see Art Nouveau in Brussels?
Start at the Horta Museum, Victor Horta’s former house and studio. The Tassel House and other Horta buildings nearby are also key landmarks of the movement.
How do you spend one day in Brussels as a design lover?
Combine Art Nouveau architecture, contemporary galleries, the antique shops of the Marolles and a visit to the Design Museum Brussels, with a waffle and a Belgian beer along the way.
Why Belgian design deserves a closer look
Belgian design proves that a small country with no single school can produce a remarkably rich scene. Its freedom, its respect for craft and its quiet humility continue to shape new generations of makers. Whether you visit Brussels or bring a piece of it home, it is a scene that rewards a closer look.
