Art of Living: UAE’s first shopping mall dedicated to home design opens in Dubai
New three-storey hub brings global décor brands under one roof
DUBAI – Dubai has officially opened “Art of Living”, a three-floor home design and furniture destination spanning more than 50,000 square metres in Al Barsha 2.
The launch marks the arrival of the first shopping centre in the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa dedicated exclusively to modern interiors and décor. The opening ceremony brought together senior officials, investors, real estate leaders, and design professionals. The project introduces a new era of fully integrated design-focused retail, shaped around the rising demand for furnished residential concepts across Dubai and the region.
Art of Living
Located along Umm Suqeim Road, Art of Living offers access to more than 50 international and regional brands, several of which are appearing in the region for the first time.
The centre’s positioning as a consolidated design hub aims to eliminate the fragmented nature of traditional furniture shopping, giving both homeowners and industry experts a single destination to explore diverse styles, compare solutions, and keep pace with global interior design trends.
Retail vision
In his remarks, Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, highlighted Dubai’s expanding influence as a global shopping and design capital. He noted that the emirate continues to attract leading international brands while supporting specialised retail concepts that reflect a flexible and fast-evolving market. He emphasised that the retail sector remains a core pillar of Dubai’s economic framework, with initiatives by Dubai Chambers contributing to an environment designed for business growth and international market access.
The emergence of centres such as Art of Living, he said, reinforces Dubai’s ability to drive innovation within lifestyle sectors, while meeting the expectations of investors and residents seeking premium and contemporary home solutions.
Design concept
Dr Samer Al Omari, CEO and Partner of Art of Living, explained that the concept was born from a clear market gap: dispersed showrooms, long travel distances, and escalating costs prevented customers from enjoying a seamless design experience. His experience in the furniture industry highlighted a consistent need for a unified space where quality, accessibility, and creativity could converge.
He said the project evolved from this unmet demand into a holistic ecosystem rather than a traditional shopping venue. The centre, he added, was designed to bring together designers, engineers, brands, and homeowners in an environment that encourages collaboration over competition. Despite early scepticism and operational challenges, the model has gained momentum. The centre is nearing full occupancy and has grown into an active community hub, signalling what he believes is the start of a new chapter for interior design in the region.
Industry growth
Management at Art of Living confirmed that the centre aligns closely with the UAE’s thriving real estate market, which continues to witness increasing demand for fully furnished and turnkey residential concepts. The rise of premium developments across the country has accelerated the need for consolidated and specialised design solutions, enabling homeowners to access curated collections that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal.
The centre is also establishing strategic partnerships with major real estate developers to support upcoming furnished projects. These collaborations are intended to strengthen Art of Living’s position as a preferred partner for integrated interiors across the Gulf, offering ready-made and customisable solutions that add value to both developers and end-users.
Integrated experience
Art of Living offers several specialised services intended to elevate the visitor journey. Personal shopping consultants accompany visitors throughout their tour, helping them navigate brands and providing tailored recommendations. Professional interior designers are also available to offer practical guidance, transforming individual design aspirations into actionable plans.
The centre brings together an expansive mix of indoor and outdoor furniture, décor accessories, children’s furnishings, garden features, and both contemporary and classic design styles. This broad selection enables customers to build cohesive home environments, supported by high-quality craftsmanship and innovative materials from global brands.
Amenities across the centre include cafés, restaurants, free parking, and open-plan areas designed for comfort and flow. The spatial layout supports extended visits, offering visitors the opportunity to explore concepts at their own pace.
Architectural design
The building’s architectural form reflects a modern aesthetic that mirrors Dubai’s progressive identity. Developed with global expertise in specialised retail centres, the structure features wide corridors, clear visual pathways, and strategically positioned brand displays to support a smooth exploratory journey. The design facilitates effortless comparisons between styles and collections, turning the retail experience into an engaging discovery process.
Carefully curated sightlines and generous circulation spaces contribute to the centre’s character as more than a conventional shopping venue. Instead, it functions as a multi-layered environment where inspiration, functionality, and design innovation merge, encouraging visitors to interact with products and concepts in new ways.