Salone del Mobile Trends 2023

Easily the most important appointment in the world furniture design the Salone del Mobile, Milan, is where the brightest and best congregate to see the latest in interior design and furniture trends. Some of the old trends were completely turned on their heads while the world embraced bright colors, and big designs.

Sustainability - Eco-sustainability has been increasingly important both to buyers and manufacturers looking to find kinder ways to make the furniture and decor that people love. The Salone 2023 showed a range of products made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, sustainably sourced timber and recycled plastic. Well-known supplier Knoll took this message to the next level, with a series of flowing rooms bringing the outdoors into the interiors, using a range of recycled and recyclable materials including glass concrete terrazzo for floors, designed by Studio Office, Belgium. Other offerings featured reclaimed wood, recycled glass and organic fabrics ( cotton, linen, hemp). Consumers are now more discerning about their choices, keeping the well-being of the Earth, in perspective this extends to surrounding themselves with greenery, as well as making better, more sustainable purchase decisions, this extended to energy-efficient lighting such as LED bulbs for fixtures. Manufacturers too have increased focus on reducing the carbon footprint of their processes by using renewable energy and minimizing and optimizing waste and waste management.

Maximalism - Despite the fears of a global recession, consumers and suppliers seem to veer toward the ‘bigger is better’ trend towards maximalist interiors. This opulence is seen from the ‘bling’ of bright colors and metallic finish as well as larger-than-life patterns on wallpaper and upholstery. Edra’s dramatic furniture and the bright colors through the previously sedate offerings across the Salone, all show this trend. Modular furniture - Modular furniture that can be adapted to suit different needs and spaces was certainly even more visible this year. While the home has become even more versatile, furniture has evolved to suit the new requirement of consumers being ever more multi-functional and flexible, lending themselves to multiple uses within a single space. Modular furniture is the trend of ‘mix-and-match’ with units which can be arranged in a variety of user-friendly configurations from relaxing, to family and larger gatherings to work-from-home spaces. The overweening factor is ‘hygge’.

Non-linear shapes - While the basics stayed strong with geometric shapes for furniture, there was a very significant move toward non-linear, more amorphous shapes for seating and incidental tables. Bold, Earthy color palette - Moving strongly away from the palette associated with minimalism (beiges, greiges and grey) Salone 2023 saw a return to vibrant colors matched with bold designs and large patterns, in keeping with the move towards maximalism. Bright, eye-catching colors and bold patterns were visible in everything from rugs to upholstery, wallpaper and décor, which moved toward more vernacular, regional designs and patterns. Olive green, earthy pinks and the colors of Nature in blues and greens emphasised the departure from the classic palettes of minimalism. Smart furniture - The ‘smart’ trend of digital integration in interiors adds to the efficiency and convenience factor of homes, which is especially true for the post-covid scenario. From programmable lighting systems, smart thermostats, voice-activated controls and completely custom-programmable baths, the digital-integration revolution is almost complete. From creating customized experiences to being more sustainable, the move toward smart technology and smart fittings is a strong trend.

Handcrafting - In another move away from the dominant trend of mass-production, is the clear and visible trend toward handcrafted and artisan furniture and décor. Traditional artisanal techniques from designers around the world have made interiors more global and more comforting, in keeping with the trend of cozy interiors that channel comfort and ‘hygge’. The range of handcrafted furniture at the Salone 2023 were dominantly in natural materials and included wood, leather and metal. Old traditions were seen in the methods of making everything from furniture and lampshades to rugs and items of decorations. Always showcasing the best in design, the newest ideas in innovation and the latest trends, the Salone del Mobile, Milan, is truly the design appointment of the year.