Salone Del Mobile 2024

minute read

Salone Del Mobile 2024

I have recently returned from Milan visiting the greatest show on earth, where the absolute best and finest exhibits connected to the home, office, design and interiors were on display.

Globally acclaimed as the “it” exhibition for all things home – Il Salone del Mobile is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. Milan once again re opens its palazzi, museums, loft buildings and immense exhibit halls to show case the absolute best and latest trends connected to the home and office.

Its size is immeasurable, many participate and the vibe is evident throughout the city. For a week it really becomes the city that does not sleep, but with so much to see and visit, sleep is the last thing on one’s mind, instead racing from one side of Milan to the other in the hope of seeing as much as possible.

For a city of over 4.3 million inhabitants (metro) the additional 360,000 attendees recorded this year and probably another 50,000 who are involved in showcasing and preparing the event, Milan was exceptionally well organised, you can book a hotel, restaurant or even the must have late afternoon – early evening aperitivo without any concern.

The energy is electric, fun, dynamic, not just because it feels like a mini holiday but because you know that what you will see in many cases is an explosion of innovative ideas. It is the stage for the very best and internationally renowned Interior designers, architects, lighting, kitchen and bathroom creators and other home furnishing companies to make us dream.

Fortunately, it is a city I know well, I have family as well as numerous friends who call Milan home and I have the luxury of staying in Brera in a cool loft apartment. It is a wonderful place to have as a base with most of the “fuori salone” events no more than a walk away or a short metro ride.

This year saw the return of the very much anticipated Euro Cucina and Salone Internazionale del bagno (kitchens and bathrooms exhibitions).

The kitchen for many, is the focal room in the home, it is the space that people gravitate to when they have friends or family visiting and are entertaining. Two pavilions at Rho were devoted to highlighting kitchens this year, reaffirming the importance that food plays in our day-to-day life but also the connection to energy saving, technology and sustainability, it is a place where food, design and automation meet.

Courageous colours, bold materials and functional spaces are considered for the kitchen, using low-impact, recycled and natural materials in order to increase the longevity of the product – todays kitchens are made to feed our souls, they are places of pleasure rather than service.

With more of us entertaining at home, the kitchen space extends to more comfortable dining areas and storage spaces. Wine/champagne displays and storage cabinetry were in abundance this year! The mini bar of today is certainly an extravagant addition to the kitchen, but apparently a must have!

The Salone Internazionale del bagno also occupied two large pavilions with over two hundred exhibitors. No longer the smallest room in many homes it is a place of relaxation, a sanctuary of wellbeing. The bathroom has evolved over the years with versatile solutions, inventive designs and exceptional quality products used. An immense amount of daring coloured marbles, stone and corion but also sanitaryware with a twist are proposed, a reminder that the vivid coloured bathrooms of the 1970’s and 1980’s could well be back in fashion!

Bathroom designers are investing and researching quality products with sustainability in mind, as well as water saving options without compromising the wellness experience that the bathroom must offer. There is an invitation to reflect on the value of water whilst creating a bathroom that suits everyone’s tastes and needs.

Fuori Salone based in various locations in central Milan takes you away from the ceremonial environment of Rho. At Rho you move from pavilion to pavilion with notebook in hand presenting business cards, once in Brera the pace changes - you stop for a coffee, lunch, a conversation and a sneaky Aperol Spritz, the vibe is chilled and very Italian.

Here, young, current and new designers mix with the top elite brands. Anything from the small “pop-up store” to the mega emporiums of Cassina, Poltrona Frau and B&B Italia can be found.

With over 1300 events taking place it would be impossible to visit them all so my focus was on Brera. With ancient roots dating to the 12^th Century, it is one of the most fascinating and charming locations in central Milan. Narrow alleyways, cobbled street, secret gardens behind graceful palazzi, its architecture alone transfixes you.

Il Salone del mobile continues to hypnotize with its forward-thinking way of living, it is a laboratory of new opportunities in design, giving us ideas for our homes. Milan continues to be the leading city in celebrating dynamic ideas that are authentic and original, championing the most foremost beautiful objects, furniture and materials.

It was a Salone looking to the future, planning waste management in the use of its products, encouraging designers to create design pieces that are durable yet not compromising on beauty and style and most importantly to continue thinking about sustainability and protecting our environment.