Salone del Mobile 2023 Trend Report

The Salone del Mobile is one of the most important events in the world of furniture and design. Held every year in Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, it attracts international designers, manufacturers, buyers and retailers from across the globe. It is especially significant for showcasing the latest trends and innovations in interior design and furniture.

Salone 2023 saw the launch of many new furniture lines and emerging brands as well as a round-up of the hottest trends we'll be seeing over the coming year. Here are the key trends to incorporate into your Spring/Summer design projects and new furniture wishlist.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been a buzzword in the design industry for several years now, and what we saw at Salone 2023 only serves to reinforce this. With more and more consumers looking for eco-friendly and sustainable products, designers showcased new lines made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo and recycled plastic.

One of the most notable examples was the introduction of the new Salone del Mobile pavilion by Knoll. Designed by Belgian architecture studio OFFICE, the pavilion is made up of interconnected rooms that blend indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing visitors to experience a sustainable and technological vision of the future. It is made with recycled and recyclable materials including aluminium posts, glass panels and a recycled concrete terrazzo floor.

Maximalism

As a global recession looms, the trend towards maximalist interiors shows no signs of abating. Dolce & Gabbana sprinkled a new all-gold furniture collection throughout the city while Irish interiors studio, Kingston Lafferty Design, venture into an old 1930s apartment and renovated its living room using opulent floral wallpaper and a red leather rug alongside an Erasmo Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

Earthy Colours

Grounding green was gone as the sunkissed, earthy tones of the Meditterean made their shimmering entrance. Olive green was the star of the show and warm and muted shades of blues, greens and browns abounded. These warm colour schemes created a very cosy and welcoming feel, while neutral staples like beige, grey, and white were seen everywhere, lending an air of elegance and simplicity to interiors.

Viva Megenta may have been named the colour of the year for 2023, but in Milan, it was more dusty pink than Barbie brights. Designers used the sweet yet gentle shade as accents in walls, armchairs, sofas and throw pillows, creating a whimsical atmosphere that had more than a passing nod to the dreamy land of fairies and fey.

Magical Shapes

Furniture shapes this year ranged from rigid geometrics to organic curves. The use of geometric shapes felt clever and inspired, with defined shapes forming part of one single object rather than many straight lines decorating a room. This was especially noticeable in modular sofas and storage sets.

Another enticing shapeshift was the plethora of barely-there support structures which had the effect of the item floating in mid-air or hovering just off the ground. Lights were hung by whispy stems and chair legs were positioned so as to be almost invisible, adding sculptured grace and a sense of wonder.

Our Top Furniture Picks

Gamma & Dandy

Gamma & Dandy launched their new GMM capsule collection designed by Giuseppe Viganò. Defined by their trademark top-quality leather and elegant designs, GMM includes a sofa, armchairs, a chest of drawers, a sideboard and unique magazine racks right out of an old-style ranch house.