Salone del Mobile 2023: how did the most eagerly awaited exhibition of the year go?

As every year, the Salone del Mobile in Milan was one of the most eagerly awaited events and it certainly did not disappoint the expectations of the participants. The event was held from 18 to 23 April and attracted visitors from all over the world, including designers, architects, entrepreneurs and furniture and design enthusiasts.

Now that the doors of the fair have closed, we want to take stock and look back on the themes, trends and results of this amazing event.

The topics of the Salone del Mobile 2023

Once again this year, a great deal of attention was paid to the theme of new technologies applied to life.

In particular, digital and Artificial Intelligence were the protagonists of the Tech background of this fair. Technology made it possible to create immersive and attractive experiences for visitors, but also to discover a new way of living the home and the office, thanks to furniture equipped with home automation systems, intelligent lighting and innovative materials.

Furniture comes to life, communicates with the user, offers personalised experiences and comfort.

Another trend that emerged during the Salone del Mobile and has been on everyone's lips in recent months was the commitment to sustainability. Many companies presented products made from environmentally friendly and low-impact materials, such as FSC-certified wood, recycled fabrics and regenerated plastic.

In addition, many companies applied innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of their production processes, such as the use of renewable energies and the reduction of CO2 emissions. This is an important sign of the design and furniture industry's commitment to tackling the emergence of climate change.

But sustainability is not only about materials and production processes. The Milan Furniture Fair also highlighted the importance of the durability of products, i.e. their ability to last. Sustainability does not only mean taking care of the environment. It also means taking care of people. The products combine naturalness and functionality, meeting the needs of any user. This year there has been a return to nature, an attempt to make shapes and materials less industrial and more environmentally inspired.

There is also a return to lighting, an integral part of the furniture, an indispensable aid to our health and well-being. This year, the famous Milan event dedicated to furniture and design has been enriched by a major event: the return of Euroluce, the prestigious international lighting exhibition.

Among the most outstanding innovations were smart and connected lamps, capable of adapting to the user's needs, LED light sources, increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly, and integrated lighting systems, capable of creating personalised and evocative atmospheres. Euroluce was an opportunity to admire the works of the most renowned international designers, who presented surprising and innovative creations, such as those of artist and designer Ron Gilad, who ventured into the themes of light and function, paradox and perception in the BORGONUOVO19 exhibition space, located in the heart of the city.

The latest trend that should not be underestimated is the increased attention paid to the decoration of outdoor spaces. Outdoor design made an appearance at Salone del Mobile Milan 2023 with a series of interesting proposals and innovations to make gardens and terraces an integral part of the living experience.

Thanks to the growing selection of garden furniture, terrace furniture and decorative accessories, it is possible to create unique and exclusive outdoor spaces that reflect one's style and personality. From comfortable and sturdy chairs, to tables perfect for outdoor dining, to ambient lighting for romantic evenings under the stars, outdoor spaces are increasingly becoming an extension of our home, where we feel free to express our creativity and our desire to be outdoors.

A big highlight was Armani's presence at Design Week. Poliform presented its new garden collection at the Chiostri di San Simpliciano, while Molteni&C presented its collection designed by Vincent Van Duysen, which amazed everyone present.