9 Key Trends at the Milan Furniture Fair 2017
No disruptive design at this year's fair, but a focus on classic pieces, quality and relaxation
Houzz Italia
16 April 2017
Basic, unfussy pieces, simple contours, round forms and warm colours dominated at this year’s Salone del Mobile. Held annually in Italy, the Salone del Mobile is the world’s most prestigious furniture fair, where major brands and star designers launch their new collections. When the world is going through turbulent times, it seems, design tends to turn to that which is classic and safe. The fair ended without a “big bang” – there were no polarising designs or crazy showpieces – largely because the trend for this year was mature, calm and timeless design that reflects a wish to relax, escape the tendency towards “fast furniture” and instead concentrate on quality and a few significant details.
This year’s Salone del Mobile took place on April 4–9 in Milan, Italy, and was attended by more than 2000 exhibitors and 343,602 visitors from 165 countries. Houzz Editors Leonora Sartori (Italy), Elena Ambrosimova (Russia) and Rafael F. Bermejo (Spain) were on the scene, and share the 9 key trends they spotted at the world’s biggest design fair.
This year’s Salone del Mobile took place on April 4–9 in Milan, Italy, and was attended by more than 2000 exhibitors and 343,602 visitors from 165 countries. Houzz Editors Leonora Sartori (Italy), Elena Ambrosimova (Russia) and Rafael F. Bermejo (Spain) were on the scene, and share the 9 key trends they spotted at the world’s biggest design fair.
A new colour for the Oslo sofa by Anderssen & Voll, for Finnish company Muuto
1. The New Basics
The fair’s main concept can be described as “back to basics:” Companies concentrated on well-thought-through items that, however, did not necessarily have a “wow” factor. In this way, design seems to be taking a cue from the clothing industry, where key pieces are often plain and neutral but have a timeless form and are made of quality materials. Brands can then mix them with fresh and bright accessories according to season and fashion. Similarly, rather than presenting new shapes for major furniture pieces, Salone showcased updates to existing designs, paired with a new definition of luxurious “minimalism.”
In a sense, omitting showstoppers highlights the underlying similarity of major furniture pieces across all brands. However, it also shows that it is possible to obtain timeless items that have no expiration date, and combine such classic pieces to adapt them to your home design.
1. The New Basics
The fair’s main concept can be described as “back to basics:” Companies concentrated on well-thought-through items that, however, did not necessarily have a “wow” factor. In this way, design seems to be taking a cue from the clothing industry, where key pieces are often plain and neutral but have a timeless form and are made of quality materials. Brands can then mix them with fresh and bright accessories according to season and fashion. Similarly, rather than presenting new shapes for major furniture pieces, Salone showcased updates to existing designs, paired with a new definition of luxurious “minimalism.”
In a sense, omitting showstoppers highlights the underlying similarity of major furniture pieces across all brands. However, it also shows that it is possible to obtain timeless items that have no expiration date, and combine such classic pieces to adapt them to your home design.
Bed: Fluttua, by Daniele Lago for Italian company Lago Design
2. Individual Environments
Many designs at the fair celebrated this freedom in individual home decor. Daniele Lago, head of the Italian design company Lago, told Houzz that “design is now focusing more on atmosphere and environment than on just creating and showing off single furniture pieces.” This idea was illustrated at Lago’s own booth, where furniture designed in past years – such as the suspended Letto Fluttua bed or the small Air table – was combined in various new environments. With the concept of “kindness” serving as an abstract prompt, the company designed the installations in collaboration with eight well-known Italian women. One of these was prima ballerina Carla Fracci, who created the airy all-white interpretation pictured here.
2. Individual Environments
Many designs at the fair celebrated this freedom in individual home decor. Daniele Lago, head of the Italian design company Lago, told Houzz that “design is now focusing more on atmosphere and environment than on just creating and showing off single furniture pieces.” This idea was illustrated at Lago’s own booth, where furniture designed in past years – such as the suspended Letto Fluttua bed or the small Air table – was combined in various new environments. With the concept of “kindness” serving as an abstract prompt, the company designed the installations in collaboration with eight well-known Italian women. One of these was prima ballerina Carla Fracci, who created the airy all-white interpretation pictured here.
Same furniture, different look and feel: Interior Designer Cristina Celestino designed this room at the booth.
Sofa: Vuelta, by Jaime Hayon for Austrian company Wittmann
3. The Past Is the New Future
This year’s fair highlighted a longing among designers to create the new classic, the new design icon. Simple forms from the past – which are now easier to produce – were presented, adapted to today’s tastes. One example is the work of Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, who created a collection for Austrian manufacturer Wittmann. “This work is the result of my imagined trip back in time to the Vienna of the 1930s,” the designer tells Houzz. He adds that he was happy to find a company that is so deeply rooted in tradition, but that also gives him a lot of freedom in his design process.
3. The Past Is the New Future
This year’s fair highlighted a longing among designers to create the new classic, the new design icon. Simple forms from the past – which are now easier to produce – were presented, adapted to today’s tastes. One example is the work of Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, who created a collection for Austrian manufacturer Wittmann. “This work is the result of my imagined trip back in time to the Vienna of the 1930s,” the designer tells Houzz. He adds that he was happy to find a company that is so deeply rooted in tradition, but that also gives him a lot of freedom in his design process.
Tama Living sofa and Mwamba carpet by Eoos Design, for German manufacturer Walter Knoll
De Sede DS 22, by Stephan Hürlemann
4. The Sofa as Domestic Landscape
This year’s sofas are huge: XXXL is the new standard. The intention is to create a place to gather and to evoke a feeling of cosiness and safety.
This means that sofas are now deeper than they used to be in Germany, Switzerland or France, for example. Italian sofas traditionally exude a feeling of deep relaxation, but they, too, are now even bigger than before. Italian manufacturer Living Divani, for example, now provides a sofa with a 48-inch (122-centimetre) seat depth.
4. The Sofa as Domestic Landscape
This year’s sofas are huge: XXXL is the new standard. The intention is to create a place to gather and to evoke a feeling of cosiness and safety.
This means that sofas are now deeper than they used to be in Germany, Switzerland or France, for example. Italian sofas traditionally exude a feeling of deep relaxation, but they, too, are now even bigger than before. Italian manufacturer Living Divani, for example, now provides a sofa with a 48-inch (122-centimetre) seat depth.
Pack sofa, designed by Francesco Binfaré for Italian company Edra
Other approaches included large, low sectionals made by combining a number of smaller sofas, or models like Pack, by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, which resembles a large play area more than a couch. “It is a concrete object, a domestic landscape, an exciting landscape inside the house,” Binafré says in the press release. He describes his design as a “polar bear on an iceberg that breaks apart,” an object that evokes “innocence, happiness and fairytales.”
Other approaches included large, low sectionals made by combining a number of smaller sofas, or models like Pack, by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, which resembles a large play area more than a couch. “It is a concrete object, a domestic landscape, an exciting landscape inside the house,” Binafré says in the press release. He describes his design as a “polar bear on an iceberg that breaks apart,” an object that evokes “innocence, happiness and fairytales.”
Modernista, designed by Doshi & Levien for Italian company Moroso
5. Lightness and Simplicity Are the New Black
Sofas have become bigger, but not necessarily bulky. Simple lines, neutral colours and rounded forms often interplay with a fragile-looking framework that bears the weight of these huge sofas. These frameworks provide a kind of elegant and delicate feeling: They are simple but powerful at the same time. In their press release, Moroso says that the “design of the sofa [pictured here] draws inspiration from men’s tailored suits: clothes sewn beautifully, with tasteful and sophisticated materials and details.”
5. Lightness and Simplicity Are the New Black
Sofas have become bigger, but not necessarily bulky. Simple lines, neutral colours and rounded forms often interplay with a fragile-looking framework that bears the weight of these huge sofas. These frameworks provide a kind of elegant and delicate feeling: They are simple but powerful at the same time. In their press release, Moroso says that the “design of the sofa [pictured here] draws inspiration from men’s tailored suits: clothes sewn beautifully, with tasteful and sophisticated materials and details.”
Saké, designed by Piero Lissoni for B&B Italia
Rugs and pillows: Garden Layers, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Spanish company Gandia Blasco. They are made for relaxing on the floor and outdoors
6. Grey, Beige and Dignified Patterns
Shades of grey, beige (welcome back, greige!) and terra cotta were the main colours to be seen at this year’s fair, but they were enriched with interesting textures and dignified patterns. We see, again, the influence of timeless fashion: Tweed, salt & pepper, bicolored plaids with tiny checks and melange patterns – the same patterns that are used in suits – appeared again and again. They can be matched to upholstery, pillows or the geometric patterns on rugs, table tops or works of art hung on walls or placed on surfaces.
6. Grey, Beige and Dignified Patterns
Shades of grey, beige (welcome back, greige!) and terra cotta were the main colours to be seen at this year’s fair, but they were enriched with interesting textures and dignified patterns. We see, again, the influence of timeless fashion: Tweed, salt & pepper, bicolored plaids with tiny checks and melange patterns – the same patterns that are used in suits – appeared again and again. They can be matched to upholstery, pillows or the geometric patterns on rugs, table tops or works of art hung on walls or placed on surfaces.
Table: Mr. Zheng, designed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Lema
Table: Tweed, designed by Vicente Garcia and Cinzia Cumini for Italian company Zanotta
This Tweed table, designed by Garcia and Cumini for Zanotta, shows how textile-inspired patterns can be juxtaposed against other design features. Here, the straight, tweed-inspired lines contrast nicely against the curved outline of the table. The way they meet at a right angle is visually elaborated by the triangle rug.
This Tweed table, designed by Garcia and Cumini for Zanotta, shows how textile-inspired patterns can be juxtaposed against other design features. Here, the straight, tweed-inspired lines contrast nicely against the curved outline of the table. The way they meet at a right angle is visually elaborated by the triangle rug.
Yari side tables, designed by Massimo Castagna for Flou
Cala collection, designed by Doshi & Levien for Kettal
7. Focus on Materials
The restraint designers showed in their designs this year was balanced with a deep attention to detail, especially when it comes to materials. Jonathan Levien, of London design duo Doshi & Levien, told Houzz that “we like to concentrate on little things, like a fabric or a rope” – as they did for Kettal, making the chairs of their “Cala” collection out of ropes.
7. Focus on Materials
The restraint designers showed in their designs this year was balanced with a deep attention to detail, especially when it comes to materials. Jonathan Levien, of London design duo Doshi & Levien, told Houzz that “we like to concentrate on little things, like a fabric or a rope” – as they did for Kettal, making the chairs of their “Cala” collection out of ropes.
Armless side chair from the Krusin Collection for Knoll. Photo by Federico Cedrone, courtesy of Knoll
Stone also played a big role in coordinated color schemes this year. Imperador marble in brown was among the top favourites, but deep blue-green granites or amber-like onyxes were very prominent too. Even companies that traditionally specialise in glass furniture, such as Fiam or Galotti & Radice, produced at least one piece that uses imperador or imitation lava stone.
Stone also played a big role in coordinated color schemes this year. Imperador marble in brown was among the top favourites, but deep blue-green granites or amber-like onyxes were very prominent too. Even companies that traditionally specialise in glass furniture, such as Fiam or Galotti & Radice, produced at least one piece that uses imperador or imitation lava stone.
Cabinet: from the Shine collection, designed by Andrea Parisio for Italian company Meridiani
Table from the Shine collection, designed by Andrea Parisio for Meridiani
Brass also continued to be popular this year. It appeared not only in furniture supports, but also covering surfaces, similarly to how wooden veneer was used for many years. This is another way of expressing the combination of brutal and fragile in interiors.
Brass also continued to be popular this year. It appeared not only in furniture supports, but also covering surfaces, similarly to how wooden veneer was used for many years. This is another way of expressing the combination of brutal and fragile in interiors.
Sofa: Largo, designed by Piero Lissoni for Kartell
Textile: Ikebana, designed by Edward van Vliet for Moroso
8. Homes are Blooming
“Nature is the greatest designer in the world and the most expansive source of inspiration at the same time,” says Dutch Designer Edward van Vliet. Many of his colleagues might agree. Flowers and the jungle trend are still hot. There were a lot of banana palm trees, Japanese maple trees or regular houseplants, often matched with huge flowers on wall art. Many companies let butterflies and flowers take center stage on screens (Driade), carpets (Missoni) or upholstery (Kartell or Moroso).
8. Homes are Blooming
“Nature is the greatest designer in the world and the most expansive source of inspiration at the same time,” says Dutch Designer Edward van Vliet. Many of his colleagues might agree. Flowers and the jungle trend are still hot. There were a lot of banana palm trees, Japanese maple trees or regular houseplants, often matched with huge flowers on wall art. Many companies let butterflies and flowers take center stage on screens (Driade), carpets (Missoni) or upholstery (Kartell or Moroso).
Nuez, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World
This year, nature seems to have inspired not only colours and patterns but sometimes also shapes. Folding a piece of paper gave Spanish Designer Patricia Urquiola the idea for this simple form (pictured here), which resembles a nutshell. The joints were very carefully designed, and the chair took three years, from beginning to end, to realize.
This year, nature seems to have inspired not only colours and patterns but sometimes also shapes. Folding a piece of paper gave Spanish Designer Patricia Urquiola the idea for this simple form (pictured here), which resembles a nutshell. The joints were very carefully designed, and the chair took three years, from beginning to end, to realize.
Domino sofa, by Italian company Rubelli
9. Customisation and Playfulness
A lot of manufacturers worked from the standpoint that users may want to adjust a product’s appearance to their personal mood. We are used to changing the pillows on a sofa’s backrest (now even in outdoor collections, as that from Tribu) or freely selecting the colour of lightbulbs (Philips Hue). Now, designers are offering even more innovative ways of modifying furniture.
The backrest of this sofa by Rubelli, for example, can change colour thanks to a double-sided cover. Its front is the same colour as the rest of the couch, but it can be flipped to reveal a bright orange underside.
9. Customisation and Playfulness
A lot of manufacturers worked from the standpoint that users may want to adjust a product’s appearance to their personal mood. We are used to changing the pillows on a sofa’s backrest (now even in outdoor collections, as that from Tribu) or freely selecting the colour of lightbulbs (Philips Hue). Now, designers are offering even more innovative ways of modifying furniture.
The backrest of this sofa by Rubelli, for example, can change colour thanks to a double-sided cover. Its front is the same colour as the rest of the couch, but it can be flipped to reveal a bright orange underside.
Graffiti lamp, designed by Kazuhiro Yamanaka for Pallucco Italia
The Graffiti lamp, designed by Kazuhiro Yamanaka for Pallucco Italia, is ornamented with metal rods that are attached with magnets. They can be rearranged to change the overall appearance of the fixture to match the rain, one’s mood or anything else.
These customisable designs are a great example of the overall theme of this year’s Salone. Rather than focusing on disruptive ideas, it showed how innovative takes on classic designs can put the focus back on the most important feature of all: the way furniture can be moulded to our spaces and our lives.
Discover the key trends in Lighting design spotted at the Salone del Mobile 2017
The Graffiti lamp, designed by Kazuhiro Yamanaka for Pallucco Italia, is ornamented with metal rods that are attached with magnets. They can be rearranged to change the overall appearance of the fixture to match the rain, one’s mood or anything else.
These customisable designs are a great example of the overall theme of this year’s Salone. Rather than focusing on disruptive ideas, it showed how innovative takes on classic designs can put the focus back on the most important feature of all: the way furniture can be moulded to our spaces and our lives.
Discover the key trends in Lighting design spotted at the Salone del Mobile 2017
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For me the only rooms or furniture, I would be comfortable living with, would be the one with the gold chair - beautiful and the one below it with the church style doors and windows, love the furniture, rug, palette, grand size and warmth of the room
People need to realize that this show is European high design. It will filter to the mainstream US markets in a few years--watered down for the masses. So if you don't like it now because you're not seeing it in the marketplace--wait for it. It will be everything Aunt Betty in Des Moines wants ten years from now (in a stain treated polyester).
Jana Korvasova, this is a "design extravaganza", organisers hail the fiera as "THE" innovative furniture show on the planet! I make no apology for expecting revolution, detail and trend are subordinate if the exhibitions are to remain vibrant.