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Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025: Designing a Future-Ready World

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The countdown is on for the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, set to take place from 8 to 13 April 2025 at Fiera Milano, Rho. This year’s theme is all about building future-proof worlds, driven by industrial craftsmanship, sustainable innovation, and emotional intelligence.

With more than 2,000 exhibitors from 37 countries, the 2025 edition reaffirms its role as a strategic powerhouse for an industry that leads global change. Inspired by the visionary minds of Pierre-Yves Rochon, Paolo Sorrentino, and Robert Wilson, this year’s event promises a dynamic mix of creativity, business opportunities, and immersive experiences.

Communication Campaign 2025 “Thought for Humans.” Salone del Mobile.Milano Concept. Dentsu Creative Italy ©Bill Durgin
Communication Campaign 2025 “Thought for Humans.” Salone del Mobile.Milano Concept. Dentsu Creative Italy ©Bill Durgin

Salone del Mobile.Milano April 8-13, 2025

Key Highlights: A Record-Breaking Showcase

More than just an exhibition, Salone del Mobile.Milano is an economic powerhouse, a hub where innovation meets commerce. The numbers speak for themselves. With 169,000 square metres of fully booked exhibition space, the fair is a testament to the trust that brands place in this platform as a launchpad for their latest creations. The return of the Euroluce Biennale will occupy 32,000 square metres, featuring over 300 brands from 25 countries, reaffirming the increasing importance of lighting in contemporary design. SaloneSatellite, the incubator of young talent, will see the participation of 700 designers under 35 alongside 20 international design schools and universities, making it a crucial space for nurturing the next generation of design pioneers.

A testament to the event’s economic impact, Italian brands exhibiting at the Salone generate a combined revenue of €9.2 billion, making up 34% of Italy’s furniture sector turnover. International brands, on the other hand, contribute €7 billion, reinforcing the Salone’s status as a pivotal global business platform. In 2024, the event attracted over 370,000 visitors from 146 countries, and this year’s edition is poised to exceed those numbers, thanks to an enhanced visitor experience and new business opportunities across key markets, including the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia.

Pierre-Yves Rochon. Villa Héritage. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 <br /> Image copyright: ©PYR
Pierre-Yves Rochon. Villa Héritage. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Image copyright: ©PYR
Pierre-Yves Rochon. Villa Héritage. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 <br /> Image copyright: ©PYR
Pierre-Yves Rochon. Villa Héritage. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Image copyright: ©PYR

A Cultural and Design Powerhouse

But Salone del Mobile is not only about business; it is also a cultural beacon, shaping the way we perceive and interact with design on a deeper level. The fair’s cultural programme is among the most anticipated aspects of the event, offering a space for critical discourse, creative exchange, and immersive experiences. This year, the spotlight will be on lighting design, with the first edition of the Euroluce International Lighting Forum, taking place on 10 and 11 April within the spectacular setting of The Forest of Space, an installation by the renowned architect Sou Fujimoto. Additionally, the Drafting Futures talk series will bring together some of the brightest minds in contemporary design, offering a platform for discussions that go beyond aesthetics to explore the future of our built environment.

Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 <br /> Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect
Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect

Sustainability and the Next Generation of Design

Sustainability remains a key pillar of Salone’s mission, as the event continues its commitment to achieving ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management. Exhibitors will be encouraged to adopt the Green Guidelines, ensuring that stand designs align with the fair’s broader vision for environmental responsibility. This dedication to sustainability is also reflected in the 26th edition of SaloneSatellite, which will explore the theme ‘New Craftsmanship: A New World’, encouraging a dialogue between traditional artisanal techniques and cutting-edge innovation. The aim is to bridge heritage and the future, fostering new interactions between craftsmanship and contemporary design that prioritise longevity, cultural identity, and ecological awareness.

As always, the reach of Salone extends beyond the fairgrounds, spilling into the vibrant streets of Milan during Milan Design Week. The city will be transformed into an open-air exhibition, where design lovers from around the world will have access to installations, talks, and exhibitions that celebrate the ever-evolving landscape of creativity. Among the highlights, Robert Wilson’s ‘The Night Before. Object Chairs Opera’ at Teatro alla Scala promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending the designer’s iconic scenography with a selection of operatic masterpieces performed by the Scala Orchestra, under the direction of Michele Spotti, and featuring the acclaimed soprano Marina Rebeka.

Meanwhile, Design Kiosk, a creative hub curated by Corraini Edizioni, will take over Piazza della Scala from 1 to 13 April, serving as a gathering point for designers, thinkers, and visitors eager to engage with the latest ideas in design. The city’s thriving showroom scene will also come alive, with over 100 brand showrooms participating in Fuorisalone, offering visitors a deeper dive into the world of interior and product design. To ensure a seamless experience for visitors, Salone will once again promote Progetto Accoglienza, a unique initiative that enlists over 100 students from leading design institutions to assist guests in navigating the wealth of events taking place throughout Milan.

 

Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 <br /> Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect
Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect
Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 <br /> Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect
Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Space. Original Concept Sketch. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Image copyright: ©Sou Fujimoto Architect

The Future of Design, Thought for Humans

Under the banner ‘Thought for Humans.’, the Salone’s 2025 communication campaign, led by Dentsu Creative Italy and captured through the lens of photographer Bill Durgin, highlights the intimate relationship between humans and materiality.

With a redesigned exhibition layout featuring ring-structured pavilions (13-15 and 22-24) and thematic pathways, visitors can expect a more fluid and engaging experience. A standout feature will be ‘A Luxury Way’ (Pavilions 13-15), celebrating the Italian mastery of timeless design.

As Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, puts it: “The Salone is more than an exhibition; it is a dynamic force shaping the future of design, business, and culture. With our continued investment in quality, sustainability, and innovation, we aim to create an event that not only connects professionals but also inspires the next generation of thinkers and makers”.

With an unmatched ability to bring together commerce, creativity, and culture, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 is set to once again affirm Milan as the beating heart of the global design scene.

 

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