Themes and Highlights from Milan Design Week 2023

Highlights from Milan Design Week 2023

Well, as you can imagine, I did not see everything I wanted to while at Milan Design Week. There is just too much to absorb in too short of a time period, and spread all over the city. But, I walked away inspired. There is much to be hopeful for in the world of design; an awareness for the environment while still creating a beautiful space, with many amazing new products that incorporate recycled or responsibly sourced materials and thoughtful design.

The Alcova installation epitomized the theme of Salone, with environmentally aware materials (HabitareMaterials) and the trend of biophilia. At Alcova I discovered Nordic Copper and VM carpet as sustainable choices in interior and commercial design. There were many offerings including fabric lines, ecological alternatives to concrete, wallpapers, and sample materials you could take with you.

Another big highlight of Milan Design week 2023 are the advances in LED lighting, with incredible choices for both indoor and outdoor living, including options for brightness, warmth, and dimming capabilities, all in a wireless lamp.

And speaking of outdoor living, the fabrics and furniture choices for your garden look as sophisticated as furnishings exclusively made for interior use. All of the top furniture and lifestyle brands are expanding their lines to include outdoor furniture, made possible with the advances in beautiful and technical outdoor fabric. Your style can now be seamless between interior and exterior.

Another highlight of note, biophilic design seemed present in many of the booths at Rho Fiera, no matter what product they were selling. Foliage was sprinkled in everywhere in the form of green plant masses to break up the products on display. The focus on environmentally friendly design, and incorporation of biophilic design across many brands shows a considered awareness in the industry of our design choices and how they impact the planet. This is important because it affects future design and a consideration in the longevity of the products we purchase.

One brand in particular combining lighting fixtures and biophilia to great effect is: Serip. I found their fixtures incredibly gorgeous, and after speaking with one of the company owners, I learned they are a third generation family owned company based in Portugal. Their fixtures are exquisite and can be customized to any project.

Themes from Milan Design Week 2023

Rather than explore Milan Design Week 2023 by brand, I thought it might be fun and helpful to look at common design themes I noticed throughout the showrooms and exhibition spaces.

Tables in Multiples

Throughout most (all?) vendors, coffee tables appeared as a table grouping; either two of the same table side by side, but more often tables of varying heights grouped together in the middle of a seating arrangement. (Please excuse the poor photo quality. These were taken in low light conditions in Rho Fiera convention center.)

You typically don’t see this in American interiors, except in a foyer setting like the images below, incorporating a table and a lower ottoman or bench, to draw the eye:

Tables in Bedrooms

While on the subject of tables, another theme I noticed was the presence of tables in the bedroom, as opposed to additional soft furnishings, like chairs or settees. I personally find tables so useful in every space, for eating, working, reading, and placing objects on, so this theme makes sense to me and is something I will likely embrace, if space permits. If your room acts as a refuge from all of the activity in your home, it is practical to have a table in that space.

Looking at bedroom design from the vantage point of materials, the bed is often the largest piece in a room and a soft furnishing, so it is a good option to have hard surfaces in the mix, rather than more soft furnishings, and to add an additional texture or material. Plus, a table would usually include a few chairs, so you still have a place to sit besides the bed.

Large Scale Seating and Art

Another theme I noticed, were oversized sofas and in shapes other than squared or rounded; instead they were curved, angled, wider sections like a chaise, open on two sides, creating a really flexible sitting room. The larger scaled sofa provides ample seating and limits you from having too many small pieces of furniture, which can result in a chaotic looking space. Take note too, of the grand scale of art as a backdrop in the photos below.

Bookshelves were also prominent across many brands, as seen in a few of the photos below, allowing for added height and visual interest in a room, storage, display space, and sometimes useful as a room divider.

Neutral Palette. Pop of Color.

Despite what I’m hearing from American designers, it seems the European market is keeping with a neutral palette, and using color as an accent, unless the brand is known for their strong use of color, like Roche Bobois, for example. Below, yellow as an accent color in an otherwise neutral space and a pop of color in the bright orange chair.

Sculptural Lighting

I’ve always loved the idea of sculptural lighting. It adds a beautiful object to look at, and also provides a warm light and ambiance when illuminated. Art and lighting in one! I love pieces that have dual functions and sculptural lighting is perfect for this. Again, with the recent technological advances in lighting, the ability to magnify or dim, warm or cool all of these “objects” makes them even more alluring to me. And how useful for adding interest and warmth to the corner of a room, an often ignored space.

Imperfect Sculptural Objects

I have been noticing the trend of manufactured goods having the texture and imperfections of a handmade object, often with sculptural lines. The new line for Serax by Marie Michielssen was all over design week, in many booths and stores. The neutral color and organic shapes make for the perfect sculptural accent, on a coffee table or bookshelf. I have the Billy vase in my own home!

Screens. Room Dividers.

Another theme: screens and room dividers. I found many more beautiful and interesting screens than I’ve seen in the past. I’ve been on the hunt for a room divider, and I love how these obscure the view, but do not block it completely. I think this is a great solution in many spaces; it adds visual impact, can add height to a space, and be a piece of art in itself. Love this.

I hope you enjoyed my review of Milan Design Week. Come back for more regular design content.