April 19, 2024, 9:25 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The furniture industry from around the world is currently gathering in Milan. The Salone del Mobile, the world’s largest furniture fair, is taking place for the 62nd time. myHOMEBOOK editor Katharina Regenthal was on site.
In terms of size, the Milan Furniture Fair, running from April 16 to 21, is unmatched: Nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 35 countries showcase their innovations across almost 175,000 square meters. It is the world’s largest and most significant furniture fair, forming the centerpiece of Milan Design Week. myHOMEBOOK visited the fair and highlights the trends of Salone del Mobile 2024.
Sofa with a Twist
The sofa at Salone del Mobile 2024 presents itself differently. It remains large, wide, and takes up a lot of space–but it is no longer a sprawling seating landscape. The seating area is interrupted by gaps, often filled with wood or similar materials. This creates small areas where decor such as lamps, coffee table books, or sculptures can be placed–or, practically speaking, a drink or a snack.
This means the sofa in the living room no longer just serves the purpose of comfortable seating but also has a practical aspect. The variants seen at the Milan Furniture Fair are mostly in light tones. Cream, beige, white, and gray are popular–combined with warm wood tones.
Some sofas had the design gap, but it wasn’t filled with a surface. Instead, the backrest was omitted, making the furniture piece appear less massive. This spot is perfect for putting your feet up–after all, you don’t need a backrest for that.
Cushions That Remind of Toothpaste
Not only were the gaps in sofas new, but also the upholstery. A particular type of cushioning was frequently seen. Instead of a large seat cushion or padding, many small ones were used. The design somewhat resembles toothpaste being squeezed from a tube and layered–only much more appealing, of course.
This cushion art often comes in cream tones, but also in delicate pink. Especially in pink, it can be integrated into various interior styles due to its design. It fits well in both colorful, poppy styles and more minimalist settings.
Colors and Shapes Remain
When it comes to colors, Salone del Mobile 2024 remains mostly subdued, yet harmonious and appealing. As seen at IMM Cologne 2024, simple tones are widely represented. Sand, cream, beige, white–these colors form the foundation. Pastel accents in terracotta, coral, khaki, pink, or salmon are frequently seen. Light, not too bright yellows and a strong emerald green are also common. The shapes remain fluid and organic, all seemingly inspired by nature, enhancing the feel-good factor.
Curves in the Dining Room
In the dining room, it’s all about curves. Round tables with matching chairs are particularly common. Thanks to their rounded backrests, they fit perfectly around the dining table. If the table isn’t entirely round, at least the table corners are. Dining chairs predominantly feature rounded shapes and designs.
Classic Sun Lounger in a New Design
Many furniture presentations evoke the feeling of being on vacation in a distant land. Plants are used extensively in the presentations at Salone del Mobile 2024. Everything almost screams vacation, and the setups invite relaxation. This is partly due to colors like terracotta or sand–and also because many pieces of furniture are indistinguishable between indoor and outdoor variants.
Many outdoor sofas or armchairs could easily be placed in the living room without being noticed. This way, you bring the vacation feeling home with the furnishings–and simultaneously bring the living room into the garden.
Particularly striking are the new versions of the classic sun lounger. With them, you almost have to feel a little vacation vibe. The new designs are reminiscent of old favorites–they give off a bit of a ’60s vibe. Other versions stand out mainly because they truly invite comfortable lounging and sunbathing. Narrow lounging surfaces and sparse padding? That’s definitely a thing of the past.
The Trends from IMM Cologne 2024
Trends at the World’s Largest Furniture Fair in Milan
What to Consider for an Outdoor Apartment
What You No Longer See
In terms of color, there are no major changes compared to IMM Cologne. However, another design element that was particularly common in Cologne is hardly seen in Milan: wood paneling and cladding. At Salone del Mobile 2024, there’s little of that–yet wood remains an important component in furniture design.