Milan once again proved why it is the must-visit destination for design lovers, as Salone del Mobile 2025 delivered a spectacular celebration of creativity, sustainability, and innovation.
Over the course of its week-long run, the city buzzed with energy, from the expansive showgrounds at Rho Fiera, to immersive installations scattered throughout Milan’s vibrant neighbourhoods.
A New Chapter in Sustainable Design
One of the most prominent themes this year was the evolution of sustainability. While the use of recycled materials is now standard across many brands, the spotlight has shifted toward product simplification.
Many new designs featured reduced componentry, streamlining furniture not just for aesthetic appeal but for practical end-of-life benefits like easier repairs, disassembly, and recycling. This shift marks a deeper commitment to long-term environmental impact.
Art Meets Function
Design boundaries were beautifully blurred, with many showrooms treating visitors to artful experiences through mixed media installations and conceptual displays.
Milan transformed into a city-wide gallery, where functional design met expressive art in the most unexpected ways.
Material Innovation and Earthy Tones
Material experimentation was on full display. Kvadrat, for instance, showcased innovative uses of recycled denim as a fabric dye, a creative, circular approach to material sourcing. In terms of aesthetics, natural wood finishes and earthy tones dominated, creating serene, grounded spaces.
But not everyone stuck to the script, Kartell embraced its iconic red branding with vivid displays and bold collaborations that made their booth pop.
Timeless Icons, Reimagined
Knoll stood out by reinterpreting its classics. The Barcelona Chair appeared with a matte black frame and bright leathers, an unexpected twist on a design icon.
Knoll also introduced the Biboni sofa, inspired by the Michelin mascot Bibendum, and the Bun Lounge Chair, a deeply relaxed seat aimed at ultimate comfort.
Their minimalist collaboration with Jonathan Muecke, featuring a finely crafted all-wood dining collection, drew plenty of attention for its quiet elegance.
Immersive Brand Experiences
Muuto captivated the Brera design district with an entire apartment installation, where each room featured a unique colour theme. It was a powerful example of how their products can blend seamlessly into everyday living spaces, offering design inspiration in situ.
Humanscale extended its ergonomic expertise into the living space, revealing the e-Float Quattro, a compact sit-stand desk perfect for hybrid workers. Also previewed was the Diffrient World Lounge Chair, a thoughtful blend of work and leisure design DNA.
Moooi marked a major milestone with the opening of its first permanent Milan store, celebrated through an immersive installation by Andrés Reisinger. At Salone, the brand unveiled bold new designs under the theme 'A Life Extraordinary’, blending art, sculpture, and furniture. Highlights included Nicholas Baker’s playful reinterpretation of hay bales as plush, modular seating.
Showstoppers and Statement Pieces
Edra impressed with one of the largest and most opulent stands, showcasing sculptural, high-end pieces that sparked conversation.
Meanwhile, Arper made a strong sustainability statement with the Catifa Carta, a chair crafted from compressed paper that’s as durable as plastic but with a far lower carbon footprint. Their dark, projection-lit booth added drama and focus to the experience.
Lighting That Dazzled
Flos delivered an elegant spectacle with Formafantasma’s 'Superwire' luminaire family. These striking designs, composed of planar glass and polished aluminium, offered both beauty and modularity thanks to a clever, reconfigurable light source.
Tom Dixon, always a crowd-puller, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the MELT series with new colourways, alongside the debut of WHIRL, SOFT, and POSE lighting collections. They also introduced GROOVE, an exciting outdoor furniture line that expands the brand’s reach into new terrain
Milan at Its Best
Milan once again worked its magic, effortlessly blending furniture, fashion, food, and art into a design destination.
Designers, creatives, influencers, and industry professionals all gathered to be inspired, network, and catch a glimpse of what’s next in the world of interiors.