Fall In Love With The Hottest Trends: Salone del Mobile Milano 2024

In the heart of Milan, where creativity meets craftsmanship, lies the illustrious Salone del Mobile. Born in 1961 and organised by the Federelegno-Arredo trade association as a showcase for Italian furniture, this annual extravaganza has been blossoming into a global phenomenon, celebrating the finest in design and innovation. Held every April, the fair spans nearly 230,000 square meters and features around 2,500 companies. It is the most important furniture show that highlights clear trends in design for the coming year. Attracting over a quarter-million visitors annually from over 150 countries, the Salone del Mobile indeed influences design trends and fosters industry collaborations. Despite the pandemic-induced cancellation of its 59th edition in 2020 and the postponed 60th edition in 2022, the fair has proven resilient, adapting to change and continued to thrive. Fall In Love With The Hottest Trends: Salone del Mobile Milano 2024

The 62nd edition was scheduled for April 16 to 21, 2024, featuring 1,950 exhibitors from 35 countries. Not just a trade fair, it’s a journey through the evolution of designs, where trends are born, collaborations flourish among artists, and the future takes shape. Welcome to the Salone del Mobile Milano and discover the 2024 innovations and design trends.

This year, at Salone del Mobile Milano, vintage charm intertwined seamlessly with futuristic elements, forging a captivating fusion of old-world allure and cutting-edge innovation. Minimalism shone in uncluttered spaces, while maximalism dazzled with vibrant details. Meanwhile, quiet luxury was highlighted with warm and elegant elements, prioritising high-quality, ethically sourced products over flashy or ostentatious designs.

Collaborative artist environments were emphasised. Blue hues took centre stage, exuding a serene yet sophisticated vibe, while earthy tones anchored the palette in natural beauty. Monochromatic palettes and mirrored designs reflected both the echoes of the past and the promise of the future, epitomising quiet luxury.

Curved silhouettes and arched shapes add a whimsical touch of charm and grace to furniture, complemented by the strength and modernity of metal influences and reflective surfaces.

Sustainability, as has been in the last few years, stood at the forefront, emphasising the importance of reducing waste and embracing sustainable materials.

Brace yourself to embark on a journey where tradition harmonises with innovation, and where style knows no boundaries.

1. Incorporate vintage

The first interior trend spotted is the use of vintage design, highlighting the seamless combination of historical and modern aesthetics in furniture design.

Lodes – ‘Oblò’: The lighting collection draws inspiration from the sea, reminiscent of vintage maritime design elements such as portholes and buoys.

The Seyun furniture by Zaha Hadid Design combines vintage Japanese woodworking techniques with contemporary design.

Matt McKay: McKay prioritises mixing vintage pieces with new designs in his projects, reflecting his interest in material exploration and sustainability.

The Gervasoni stand indoor and outdoor 2024 – Gabriele e Oscar Buratti – ‘Yaku’: Fabric harmoniously matches the wooden structure, emphasising classical Japonism.

Jiang Qiong Er & Roche Bobois: The ‘Bamboo Mood’ collection reinterprets traditional Chinese decorative arts and creates iconic pieces with vintage inspiration.

Lanvin & Rooms Studio: Elements of the Renaissance trend may be evident, infusing a sense of nostalgia and retro charm into the designs.

FontanaArte x Gucci: The collaboration between FontanaArte and Gucci celebrates the vintage Parola table lamp designed in 1980 by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni, showcasing how vintage designs can be reinterpreted for contemporary tastes.

Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency: The exhibition emphasised the city’s unique ambience, which preserves its multifaceted historical traditions while embracing modernity.

‘STAND CONCEPT’, designed by Spalvieri & Del Ciotto: The exhibition space reflects a blend of vintage and modern design inspirations, reminiscent of the great American designers of the Fifties and Sixties.

2. Maximalism

Maximalism in furniture design brings a vibrant and visually stimulating environment, characterised by bold colours and intricate details. Despite its lesser presence this year, maximalism remains significant for its ability to create unique, expressive spaces that showcase personality and creativity.

Left to Right: Spalvieri & Del Ciotto – ‘STAND CONCEPT’, ALPI

ALPI: ‘ALPI Wooclé’ and ‘ALPI Peacock’ designs combine bold and extravagant aesthetics with a clean focus on the natural beauty of wood.

3. Minimalism

Minimalism design this year, emphasises clean lines and functionality, creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. This approach reduces elements to their essentials, fostering a sense of calm and clarity in living environments.

FontanaArte x Gucci: Despite its intricate design and Italian artistry, the Parola lamp maintains a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and a focus on functionality.

STUDIO UMUT YAMAC: The clean and lightweight designs of lighting fixtures, such as Perch Light and Array, embody minimalist principles, focusing on essential forms and functions.

Rick Tegelaar: The Tabby structure, with its simple woven design and Meshmatics Chandelier, embodies minimalism in form and function with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic.

TAKT’s designs embrace the elegant simplicity characteristic of Danish mid-century furniture. Pieces are reduced to the smallest possible number of components for self-assembly, reflecting a minimalist approach to design and production.

Jesse Visser: Visser’s designs often feature clean lines and simple yet elegant forms, reflecting a minimalist approach that emphasises strong, autonomous ideas and concepts.

Jiang Qiong Er & Roche Bobois: Clean lines and simple forms in the furniture pieces reflect a minimalist aesthetic.

Architecture studio MD41: The gymnasium’s design is characterised by its clear and rational volume, embodying principles of minimalism.

4. Quiet luxury

Unlike minimalism, which often prioritises simplicity, quiet luxury blends minimalism’s clean lines with a rich sense of warmth, elegance and refinement through high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and a focus on sustainability and ethical values, creating a sophisticated ambience.

Top to Bottom: TAKT, Gordon Guillaumier, Jesse Visser

TAKT’s designs: TAKT’s furniture pieces exude a sense of quiet luxury through their elegant design, use of high-quality materials, and focus on sustainability and ethical values.

Gordon Guillaumier – ‘DAO SOFT Sofa’: This sectional sofa offers a visually simple yet inviting design with high backrests and padded elements. The “a pizzicotto” stitching detail and the option for fabric or leather covers embody a minimalist aesthetic that exudes quiet luxury.

Jesse Visser: Visser’s designs embody a sense of understated elegance and refinement, highlighting quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

David Lynch: The subdued yet luxurious atmosphere of A Thinking Room embodies the concept of quiet luxury, where comfort and sophistication coexist.

5. Future Technology/ Futuristic

Future technology in furniture design integrates digital and physical elements to create interactive, multifunctional pieces that enhance user experience. It also focuses on sustainability through advanced materials and eco-friendly technologies.

Rive Roshan: Lumus Instruments brings advanced light expertise and technology to the ‘Illuminated Transitions’ installation, showcasing the integration of futuristic elements into contemporary art and design.

Accurat & Emiliano Ponzi designers: The combination of physical and digital experiences in ‘Under the Surface’ indicates a trend towards integrating future technology into furniture design

Lexus – ‘Time’: The exhibit showcases the LF-ZC concept model powered by solar and organic photovoltaic cells, celebrating innovation in mobility and carbon neutrality.

ecoLogicStudio: The AIReactor – a desktop biotechnological air purifier and a Bio-digital Ring from the collection demonstrates a fusion of biophilic design and cutting-edge technology

“Future Impact 2”: Faezah Shaharuddin incorporates COzTERRA technology into her designs to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, demonstrating an integration of cutting-edge technology into sustainable design practices.

6. Blue hues

Blue hues appear in furniture design, with various collections incorporating shades ranging from deep navy to serene azure. This trend taps into the desire for calming and nature-inspired elements, offering a sense of tranquillity and connection to the natural world within interior spaces.

Lodes – ‘Oblò’: The chromatic palette of Oblò includes shades of blue, aligning with the trend towards incorporating calming and nature-inspired colours into interior design.

Archiproducts Milano – ‘Aqua. A design exploration’: The project, inspired by water and in partnership with Explora Journeys and 70 international brands, features a colour palette dominated by various shades of blue.

Accurat & Emiliano Ponzi designers: ‘Under the Surface’ incorporates deep shades of blue and azure, which can evoke a sense of tranquillity and connection to nature.

7. Bold colours

In contrast to blue hues, bold colours make a statement in furniture design, with dynamic lights, striking red metal sculptures, and playful collections embracing vibrant hues.

Rive Roshan: The installation by Rive Roshan highlights the use of dynamic lights that experiment with vibrant colours.

Gabriel Tan: The colourful table lamps feature bold hues, adding vibrancy and personality to spaces

IKEA: While traditional gaming furniture often features dark colours and neon accents, the Brännboll collection embraces bold colours that are playful and inviting.

Daniele Basso: “Riflettendo” is a metal sculpture characterised by its striking red colour.

Rubinetterie Stella: The installation features intense and vibrant colours, such as terracotta red, pink, blue, black, and yellow, inspired by Tanzania’s Lake Natron.

8. Earthy tones

Earthy tones in furniture design create a balanced and inviting atmosphere. These colours provide a warm and grounding effect, even harmoniously blending bold and subtle hues to enhance any space without being overpowering.

Meneghello Paolelli – ‘Hyppo’: The colour palette of ochre, carmine, quartz green, and petroleum green highlights the trend of earthy tones, creating an eye-catching effect without being ostentatious.

Architecture studio MD41: The gymnasium’s interior showcases a bright yellow datum on the ground floor, and the concrete panels have original earthy tones.

Archiproducts Milano – ‘Aqua. A design exploration’: The bold shades with earthy tones, such as brown of wood and stone and green of nature, are used to balance the aquatic blues, adding warmth to the atmosphere.

Jiang Qiong Er & Roche Bobois: The ‘Bamboo mood’ collection showcases earthy tones such as oak and bamboo, evoking natural, grounding colours.

Denys Sokolov – ‘Hello’: The ‘Hello’ collection’s playful and friendly character includes pastel earthy shades, giving it a soothing and contemporary appeal.

9. Monochromatic

Monochromatic furniture focuses on a single colour palette, creating a cohesive and harmonious look that emphasises simplicity and elegance, thereby enhancing the visual flow and creating a tranquil, unified space.

10. Metal and Mirror design

Metal and mirror designs, along with reflective surfaces, create a sleek and modern aesthetic in furniture that aligns seamlessly with the monochromatic trend. These elements enhance minimalist interiors by adding depth and visual interest through their glossy finishes and ability to reflect light, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look.

NANDA VIGO – ‘Due Più’: The steel frame of the armchair highlights the use of metal

ANSELM REYLE – ‘Untitled’: Art pillow silk is used to create an added sheen resembling foil and metal.

Zavier Wong’s Manifold Steel – ‘Wall Piece No.1’: The shelf is constructed from metal sheets

OSKAR ZIĘTA – ‘Plopp Stool Standard’: His Plopp stool is polished stainless steel

LUCIE KOLDOVA & DAN YEFFET – ‘Ballons’ (Smoke Grey): The opal diffuser and glass reveal a soft and attractive black or silver lighting effect.

11. Collaborative spaces

Collaborative spaces in furniture design emphasise the importance of partnerships between designers and material experts, showcasing how shared creative visions can drive innovation, resulting in groundbreaking designs and immersive installations.

“Future Impact 2”: While not explicitly stated, the collaborations between designers and material experts (Tiffany Loy with Friul Mosaic, Faezah Shaharuddin with Xinterra, Genevieve Ang with Interactive Materials Lab) highlight the importance of partnership in pushing the boundaries of design and material innovation.

FontanaArte x Gucci: The collaboration between FontanaArte and Gucci represents a meeting of two iconic brands, highlighting the importance of collaboration and shared creative vision in contemporary design.

TAKT’s designs: TAKT collaborates with notable designers like Pearson Lloyd, Sam Hecht, Kim Colin, Thomas Bentzen, and Anderssen & Voll, aligning with a collaborative approach to furniture design.

Rive Roshan: Rive Roshan’s collaboration with Lumus Instruments focuses on creating immersive, collaborative art installations.

ALPI: ALPI’s collaboration with designers like GamFratesi and Konstantin Grcic emphases the trend towards collaborative spaces where different creative minds come together to produce innovative designs.

12. Curved silhouettes/ Arches shapes

Curved silhouettes/arched shapes are becoming prominent in contemporary furniture design, offering a departure from traditional linear forms. This trend underscores fluidity, organic movement, and inviting aesthetics, reflected in various pieces from seating and tables to lighting and decorative objects. Rounded edges also bring a calming sense to a space.

Top Left to Right: Lasvit – ‘Porta’, Snøhetta – ‘Array’, Lanvin
Middle Left to Right: Thomas Heatherwick – ‘In-Side’, Foster + Partners – ‘Osuu’, David Lee
Bottom Left to Right: LUCIE KOLDOVA & DAN YEFFET – ‘Ballons’, FEDERICO PERI – ‘Trottola’, SECOLO – ‘Tateyama Cloud’

Lasvit‘s ‘Porta’ installation showcases curved glass panels, contributing to its architectural scale.

The Gervasoni stand indoor and outdoor 2024

+ Cristina Celestino for Plumeau: A lounge armchair with sinuous forms inspired by Asian nomads’ culture, providing a sense of lightness.

The Osuu chair by Foster + Partners, the In-Side collection by Thomas Heatherwick, the Junya Ishigami collection and the Array sofa by Snøhetta all feature curved forms, reflecting a trend towards softer, more organic shapes.

Lanvin & Rooms Studio: The furniture pieces might feature arch-shaped elements, a design trend that blends vintage inspiration with modern aesthetics.

David Lee: The Monolith chair and table feature a clean, architectural arched shape.

LUCIE KOLDOVA & DAN YEFFET – ‘Ballons’: The Balloons collection’s design evokes images of hot air balloons with elegant, curved glass forms.

FEDERICO PERI – ‘Trottola’: The spinning top-inspired shape and the gentle glow of the lamp create curved silhouettes.

SECOLO – ‘Tateyama Cloud’: Upholstered sofa in bouclé and the wood base has a total archer shape.

STUDIO UMUT YAMAC: The fluid volumes and dynamic shapes of the studio’s pieces, particularly evident in the Perch Light and the LIBRA vase, reflect the trend towards curved silhouettes in furniture and lighting design.

Rick Tegelaar: The Meshmatics Chandelier presents curved silhouettes in its intricate wire mesh design, featuring softer, more organic shapes in furniture design.

Rive Roshan: Rive Roshan’s sculptural art objects often feature curved silhouettes and round shapes, adding a sense of fluidity to their installations.

Jiang Qiong Er & Roche Bobois: The sofa’s soft, rounded headrest and the graceful lines of the cocktail tables.

IKEA: The Brännboll easy chair is designed with curved lines and a round shape.

ALPI: The stand’s composition of soft volumes in ALPI collections features wavy surfaces and curved geometric shapes, departing from traditional linear forms.

Gabriel Tan: The design of the lamps is soft curved silhouettes.

Genevieve Ang & Interactive Materials Lab: the ceramics are created on curved shapes contributing to a soft, inviting aesthetic.

13. Sustainability and reducing waste/sustainable materials

Last but not least, sustainability and reducing waste through the use of sustainable materials in furniture have become major trends, with brands increasingly prioritising eco-friendly practices. This shift reflects growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and has been a significant focus in the industry over the past few years.

Lodes – ‘Oblò’: Lodes ingeniously conceals the electric cable’s path in the Oblò collection, reducing material waste and enhancing the lamps’ aesthetic appeal.

“Future Impact 2”: several designers in the selection prioritise sustainability by repurposing under-utilised materials such as rubber wood (Christian+Jade), wood offcuts (Faezah Shaharuddin), and glass waste (Genevieve Ang and Interactive Materials Lab).

FontanaArte x Gucci: The Parola lamp features elements such as Murano glass and natural crystal, embracing the use of natural materials in its design.

Roca‘s ‘Sparking Change’ installation uses virgin clay and recycled ceramics sourced from the production of bathroom components, showcasing material reuse.

Lasvit‘s ‘Re/Creation’ exhibition showcases Lasvit’s venture into fused glass for architecture, aligning with sustainable practices.

Matt McKay: McKay expresses interest in new materials, recycled or renewable, and prioritises vendors who share his values, indicating a focus on sustainability in his furniture collection.

TAKT’s designs: TAKT emphasises eco-friendly design using FSC-certified solid timber, water-based lacquer, recycled polyester, linen, wool, and leather. Their self-assembly approach cuts transport costs and fosters an emotional connection, reducing waste. Components are easily repairable, with plans for a second-hand trade platform.

Meliordesign dishware is eco-friendly and convenient. It minimises the need for dishwashers and conserves water. The materials and design enable cleaning without detergent, reducing environmental impact.

STUDIO UMUT YAMAC: The studio’s exploration of materials like paper and thread aligns with the trend of using sustainable materials in design, as seen in projects like Bloom and Array.

Jesse Visser: The studio utilises a variety of materials such as wood, aluminium, stainless steel, and stone, exploring their potential in innovative ways.

Rick Tegelaar: Meshmatics Chandelier designs and ‘Tabby’ feature natural materials such as birch plywood, galvanised steel wire mesh, and brass.

Accurat & Emiliano Ponzi designers: ‘Under the Surface’ aims to investigate and reflect on the water footprint of the bathroom furniture supply chain and highlight a broader trend towards sustainability and waste reduction in furniture production.

ecoLogicStudio: The PhotoSynthetica Collection uses sustainable materials such as biodegradable and compostable filaments and emphasises the circularity of production and use within the collection towards sustainability and reducing waste.

Jiang Qiong Er & Roche Bobois: The use of bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable resource, aligns with the trend of sustainability and waste reduction. Bamboo, oak veneer, and wool align with the trend toward natural mater

IKEA: IKEA’s focus on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for its inflatable chair suggests a commitment to sustainability in its gaming furniture collection.

David Lynch: Lynch created his chair of wood and the consideration for environmental impact in the design process.

The Gervasoni stand indoor and outdoor 2024

+ Paola Navone for Ghost: The removable fabric allows for easy cleaning and maintenance, reducing the need for new furniture

+ Gabriele e Oscar Buratti for Yaku: Celebrates the essence of wood in authentic forms and is presented with pure simplicity.

+ Gabriele e Oscar Buratti for Eidos: Dining table and chair made in teak, with horizontal cuts for a see-through effect.

+ Nendo for Kasane: Characterised by the material texture of concrete, expressing earth’s materiality.

+ Francesco Meda for Mediterraneo: Teak structures provide an essential, simple, and natural touch, highlighting the aesthetics of wood.

Architecture studio MD41: The use of concrete panels and sustainable construction methods reflects a commitment to sustainability for their gymnasium

Designs like the Wooden Osuu chairs by Foster + Partners and the Seyun collection by Zaha Hadid Design emphasise the use of natural materials like wood and leather.

Herzog & de Meuron‘s chairs and stools made from milled wood were assembled without screws and covered in a glossy lacquer.

The Magis chair, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, uses recycled plastics to promote sustainability and minimise waste in furniture design.

ALPI: ALPI’s collections are inspired by Scandinavian landscapes, using wood veneers sourced from nature

Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency: The exhibition showcased designs incorporating sustainable materials, highlighting a preference for organic textures and earthy tones.

STAND CONCEPT, designed by Spalvieri & Del Ciotto: Authentic materials such as wood, glass, metal, and natural finishes are utilized throughout the exhibition space.

David Lee: David Lee’s Monolith chair and table are made from a single piece of material, minimising waste and utilising sustainable manufacturing practices.

Gabriel Tan: Good Gourd Hybrid Basketry incorporates eco-friendly materials, blending traditional handcrafting techniques to create handwoven baskets.

Genevieve Ang & Interactive Materials Lab: the ceramics are formulated with glass waste

Zavier Wong’s Manifold Steel – ‘Wall Piece No.1:’ Integrating artificial intelligence into the design process minimising the use of materials and reliance on intensive production methods.

CALLE HENZEL – ‘Cariati Kastrup Night Edit’: Hand-knotted + hand-loomed rug + handcrafted + organic silk or wool

NANDA VIGO – ‘Due Più’: Vigo’s armchair utilises furs reclaimed from food industry waste

IIND STUDIO – ‘Dizo’: ‘Dizo’ is a hand-knotted rug are mainly uses wool because it is biodegradable and one of the most naturally technical materials in the world.

GIOVANNI PAGANI – ‘Rencontre Moi sofa’: Upholstered modular sofa padded with different densities of polyurethane foam with a top layer of memory foam.

VERTER TURRONI – ‘Arenaria’: Their pieces are mainly manufactured in fibreglass, a highly versatile lightweight material resistant to weather conditions and a highly sustainable solution.

FEDERICO PERI – ‘Trottola’: Suspension and table lights are handblown opaline glass and pressed aluminium

LUCIE KOLDOVA & DAN YEFFET – ‘Ballons’: LED glass floor lamps emphasise the innate beauty of materials like handblown glass, wood, and meticulously crafted metal.

Rubinetterie Stella: The project aims to spread the culture of sustainability, with CO2 emissions monitored and offset through participation in the Zegna Forest project.

The 2024 edition of Salone del Mobile Milano maintains its role as a leader in global design innovation, highlighting trends in style, sustainability, and collaboration. This year’s event not only forecasts future interior design trends but also shapes them, encouraging professionals and consumers to reimagine their spaces. Looking ahead, the insights gained from this fair will continue to influence the creation of aesthetically pleasing and sustainable environments.

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