I recently had the pleasure of visiting Salone del Mobile- Milano 2025, held between April 8 and 13 at Fiera Milano Rho. It was an inspiring journey into the heart of contemporary furniture and interior design. In this article, I want to share key insights, exciting trends, and a few highlights that shaped this year’s edition of the world’s most influential design fair.
Key Figures from Salone 2025
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2,100+ exhibitors
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37 countries represented
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169,000 square meters of exhibition space
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302,548 visitors, with 68% of them international professionals
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Special spotlight on Euroluce, the biennial lighting exhibition, featuring over 300 brands from 25 countries
(Sources: Salone del Mobile press releases)
Top Furniture & Design Trends for 2025
1. Sustainability & Natural Materials
Sustainability took center stage again this year, with many brands emphasizing recycled materials, modular construction, and long-term product life cycles.
Solid wood, especially oak and walnut, emerged as a standout material at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025, particularly in the premium segment. This trend was evident across high-end brands like Poliform, Molteni&C, Riva 1920, Porada, and Flexform, which showcased dining tables, sideboards, and consoles crafted from European oak and walnut—often in natural or oiled finishes that highlighted the wood’s organic character. The emphasis on thick tabletops, sculptural bases, and tactile textures reflected a broader return to authenticity and craftsmanship. Major design publications, including Architectural Digest, Wallpaper, and Houzz, also noted this resurgence, citing “a renewed appreciation for honest materials” and “the tactile elegance of solid wood” as defining features of 2025’s collections. Beyond aesthetics, this shift aligns with a growing demand for sustainable, long-lasting materials in a post-pandemic world—making solid wood not just a stylistic choice, but a meaningful one.
2. Soft, Organic Shapes & Maximum Comfort
Comfort-driven design was everywhere. Rounded forms, plump silhouettes, and plush upholstery gave furniture a cocoon-like feel. Modular sofas such as “Piscine” by Adrenalina and “Homan” by Désirée are perfect examples of how flexibility meets aesthetics.
3. Experiential & Performative Design
This year’s Salone wasn’t just about furniture—it was about experience. Exhibits like “Staging Modernity” by Cassina and “Library of Light” by Es Devlin blurred the lines between art, performance, and interior design, transforming booths into immersive, theatrical spaces.
4. Retro Reinterpretations
Designers looked to the past, especially the 1960s and ’70s, to reimagine classic forms with a modern touch. Roche Bobois stood out with a new interpretation of its iconic Mah Jong sofa, developed in collaboration with filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar—melding nostalgia with fresh energy.
5. Earthy Color Palettes
Warm, grounded tones such as terracotta, chocolate brown, and deep barolo red dominated color schemes. Collections like “SensiTerre” by Florim played with natural finishes and calming hues to evoke organic serenity.
