Design trends to watch from Milan

Held annually in Milan, Italy, Salone del Mobile is the world’s leading showcase for furniture and interior design. This spring, Associate Principal and Director of Lifestyle + Trendcasting, Rhea Vaflor, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, attended the event alongside MOI, a commercial furniture and interior solutions provider, exploring the latest products, materials, and ideas from across the industry. Several themes at Milan Design Week offered insight into where design is headed and how these trends will shape the spaces we create. Here are a few that Rhea brought back with her:

In contrast to the hard linear geometries of conventional minimalism, approachable, organic, yet sleek lines in furniture and products were everywhere. Curves and soft forms shaped around the human body seemed to reflect a broader desire for people to re-center themselves.

One theme was impossible to miss: outdoor living. Nearly every manufacturer introduced new outdoor lines with less emphasis on indoor pieces. The trend reflects the lifestyle shifts in a post-pandemic world, as people seek more opportunities to gather, recharge, and connect away from screens. Designer brand Missoni, known for its colorful, zigzag patterns, was even featured in a collaboration.

Manufacturers moved beyond the traditional white bathroom, introducing color-drenched collections in earth-toned shades, such as green, khaki, terracotta, and tan. Color was carried across vanities, toilets, and bidets, creating a soft, cohesive, and inviting aesthetic.

Appearing across furniture, finishes, textiles, and accessories, copper and rust hues were featured time and time again. Often shown paired with wood tones, these colors evoke a grounded, warm richness.