iSaloni 2026: design gets quieter and smarter.
In April Milan held the 64th Salone del Mobile. More than 1,900 brands showed how they see the interior today. The scale is familiar. What changed, noticeably, is the approach to design, and that is what this note is about.
Material as the starting point
The theme of the year is a return to material. Wood, stone, glass, metal and textured fabric now sit at the start of a project instead of arriving at the end as finishes. Luxury is measured by execution: how a piece is made, how it feels to the hand and how long it will last.
Form and colour
Furniture leans towards sculpture: open, expressive structures. Colours are deep and surfaces are active, with texture and pattern. Interiors are moving away from universal beige and becoming personal again.
The kitchen as part of the living room
Kitchens and bathrooms received particular attention. The kitchen has finally become an extension of the living room: an open space where people cook, talk and spend the evening. The appliances almost disappear from view. They choose their own settings, and hoods and lighting dissolve into the architecture.
The bathroom as a place to recover
The bathroom is developing as a space for recovery and rest. The focus is on saving water, durable materials, intelligent fittings and the feel of a home spa.
What stays after Milan
Good design no longer tries to surprise at any cost. It has become smarter, more careful and more attentive to the person. An innovation makes sense when it genuinely improves an ordinary day.
