6 Trends from the Milan Furniture Fair 2024
Soft lines, huge dimensions, interlocking components and an eye on sustainability… Take a look at this year’s key trends
This year’s Salone del Mobile design fair (16-21 April) welcomed a mix of familiar faces and fresh newcomers, bringing together more than 185 brands and 1,950 exhibitors from 35 countries. The trends we‘ve been seeing over recent months were cemented and developed: extra-large items gained even more generous dimensions, while sofas featured soft, rounded lines that radiated relaxation. Furniture was playful, and the green light was given to personalisation, freedom and creativity.
Sustainability was also key, with natural, eco-compatible, recycled materials sourced from certified supply chains, and a growing pull towards conscious production processes and a preference for modular configurations that can easily be transported.
Read on to explore the key trends that emerged from this year’s influential design fair.
Sustainability was also key, with natural, eco-compatible, recycled materials sourced from certified supply chains, and a growing pull towards conscious production processes and a preference for modular configurations that can easily be transported.
Read on to explore the key trends that emerged from this year’s influential design fair.
Fiesta console table, Sedit.
This year also saw tables changing shape to respond to differing needs. Thanks to a simple mechanism, they can go from round to rectangular, and even from extra small (perfect for the hallway) all the way to XXL.
Practical consoles for knick-knacks can quickly be transformed into larger tables that can accommodate more than 10 friends for lunch or dinner.
This year also saw tables changing shape to respond to differing needs. Thanks to a simple mechanism, they can go from round to rectangular, and even from extra small (perfect for the hallway) all the way to XXL.
Practical consoles for knick-knacks can quickly be transformed into larger tables that can accommodate more than 10 friends for lunch or dinner.
Isla sofa, Ditre Italia.
2. Huge, comfy sofas
Many sofas on display at the show had generous dimensions and modular set-ups, with sumptuous fabrics and oversized, slouchy cushions.
The harmonious designs had rounded lines, bringing a sense of calm and relaxation.
2. Huge, comfy sofas
Many sofas on display at the show had generous dimensions and modular set-ups, with sumptuous fabrics and oversized, slouchy cushions.
The harmonious designs had rounded lines, bringing a sense of calm and relaxation.
Overgra sofa (right), Casual Solutions.
3. Customisable designs
More traditional sofa silhouettes were joined by low-back designs with an array of soft cushions, all of which could be customised and configured to suit individual tastes and interiors. The possibilities were endless, from form to fabrics and colours. Some designs at the event even had adjustable backrests and arms for truly personalised comfort.
Furnishings and fittings for our homes are now chosen in line with how we actually use them. We can even personalise the palettes of the hard materials, from wood to glass to metal finishes. Modularity is key when it comes to both function and aesthetics.
3. Customisable designs
More traditional sofa silhouettes were joined by low-back designs with an array of soft cushions, all of which could be customised and configured to suit individual tastes and interiors. The possibilities were endless, from form to fabrics and colours. Some designs at the event even had adjustable backrests and arms for truly personalised comfort.
Furnishings and fittings for our homes are now chosen in line with how we actually use them. We can even personalise the palettes of the hard materials, from wood to glass to metal finishes. Modularity is key when it comes to both function and aesthetics.
Harbour by Paolo Cattelan, Cattelan Italia.
Even bookcases were personalised, their shelves repositioned to suit individual needs, whether positioned flat against a wall or used to divide an open-plan space.
Even bookcases were personalised, their shelves repositioned to suit individual needs, whether positioned flat against a wall or used to divide an open-plan space.
Oasis armchair by Zeno Nugari, Gurian.
4. Playful shapes
Inside Sofa-beds at Milan this year featured fun, playful shapes defined by curved lines, while armchairs, such as the Oasis armchair seen here, were also a fusion of functionality and creative expression. Lines were sinuous and colours were bold.
4. Playful shapes
Inside Sofa-beds at Milan this year featured fun, playful shapes defined by curved lines, while armchairs, such as the Oasis armchair seen here, were also a fusion of functionality and creative expression. Lines were sinuous and colours were bold.
Ernest table by Jean-Marie Massaud, Poliform.
Coffee tables didn’t escape untouched, either. With the Ernest table (pictured), for example, you can either use just one and position it freely as you like in any space, or opt for two and connect them like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
When it came to chairs, soft, organic lines melted into each other to create little mounds of comfort, for example on Patricia Urquiola’s Aaland sofa, designed for Kartell.
Coffee tables didn’t escape untouched, either. With the Ernest table (pictured), for example, you can either use just one and position it freely as you like in any space, or opt for two and connect them like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
When it came to chairs, soft, organic lines melted into each other to create little mounds of comfort, for example on Patricia Urquiola’s Aaland sofa, designed for Kartell.
Plasma chair by Nigel Coates, Poltronova.
Outside Outdoor chairs with sweeping proportions and simple structures were on display at the event. These featured cushions in an array of bright colours, which can be positioned wherever feels comfiest.
Outside Outdoor chairs with sweeping proportions and simple structures were on display at the event. These featured cushions in an array of bright colours, which can be positioned wherever feels comfiest.
Chiaroscuro game by David Dolcini, Porada.
This year’s show also saw the emergence of a range of design ‘games’, such as this Connect 4-style game – a decorative and sociable focal point for the dining table.
This year’s show also saw the emergence of a range of design ‘games’, such as this Connect 4-style game – a decorative and sociable focal point for the dining table.
Buddy Oasi pouffe by Busetti Garuti Redaelli, Pedrali.
5. Nature-inspired colours
Neutral colours dominated the stands at this year’s show, paying homage to nature and reinforcing our focus on the environment. The result was interiors with a sense of airy, ethereal elegance.
More neutral tones were paired with pastel hues of red, light green, yellow and turquoise, both in and outdoors. There were also splashes of earthy tones such as ochre, red and orange.
5. Nature-inspired colours
Neutral colours dominated the stands at this year’s show, paying homage to nature and reinforcing our focus on the environment. The result was interiors with a sense of airy, ethereal elegance.
More neutral tones were paired with pastel hues of red, light green, yellow and turquoise, both in and outdoors. There were also splashes of earthy tones such as ochre, red and orange.
U’Strozz eco pouffe, Calia Italia.
6. Recycled materials
Sustainability was at the heart of this year’s Salone, with brands encouraging us to respect our planet, choose materials that are kind to the environment, and opt for products that have been consciously designed to stand the test of time. Understanding where our furniture comes from and showing an interest in the manufacturing phases has taken on a new level of importance.
Sustainability has also influenced a shift towards modular sofas, with a view to simplifying logistics and transport.
6. Recycled materials
Sustainability was at the heart of this year’s Salone, with brands encouraging us to respect our planet, choose materials that are kind to the environment, and opt for products that have been consciously designed to stand the test of time. Understanding where our furniture comes from and showing an interest in the manufacturing phases has taken on a new level of importance.
Sustainability has also influenced a shift towards modular sofas, with a view to simplifying logistics and transport.
Orizzonti kitchen, Pianca. Crafted from agglomarble, which gives new life to leftover natural stone chips from the marble quarrying process.
This is a philosophy that also translates into a choice of artisanal production processes, using waste scraps, natural materials (such as wood veneer or naturally dried, hand-applied clay) and eco-compatible products sourced from environmentally-friendly, socially beneficial and financially sustainable forest management chains.
Tell us…
What do you think of these trends? Let us know in the Comments.
This is a philosophy that also translates into a choice of artisanal production processes, using waste scraps, natural materials (such as wood veneer or naturally dried, hand-applied clay) and eco-compatible products sourced from environmentally-friendly, socially beneficial and financially sustainable forest management chains.
Tell us…
What do you think of these trends? Let us know in the Comments.
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1. Furniture as works of art
Dining tables on display at Milan’s design fair this year morphed into works of art. There were many generously proportioned pieces featuring striking forms that strayed from the standard linear shape, such as zig-zag legs, mighty round bases and maxi S shapes.
Surfaces at the event were crafted from new and unique materials with a sophisticated feel. One example was glass elevated with digital prints.
There was even the option to have the same finish on both a sideboard and a dining table, giving a cohesive feel to the dining room, kitchen and hallway.