Salone 2026: An outlook
The 64th Salone del Mobile, the industry's annual Eldorado and pioneer in the further development of the trade fair concept, is currently offering a first glimpse into its 2026 programme. The team behind the world's largest furniture fair need not worry about a lack of demand, as the net exhibition space of more than 169,000 square metres is fully booked. The Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, Workplace3.0 and the S.Project comprise the exhibition of 915 brands, 139 of which are participating for the first time or returning to the Salone del Mobile with their presentations. "In the midst of a geopolitical and economic phase marked by profound discontinuity and new polarities, the Salone del Mobile.Milano is reaffirming its role as a strategic global platform, responding to the markets with vision and continuity, standing as a fixed point in an unstable time: a place where the industry meets, ideas are articulated and the future is planned," says Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano.
This year, EuroCucina, which takes place every two years, brings together 106 brands from 17 countries with FTK – Technology For the Kitchen and showcases the kitchen as a technologically integrated living space: interactive surfaces, invisible induction and networked large appliances mark the state of the art; In terms of materials, the focus is on FSC wood, antibacterial ceramics, regenerated laminates and recycled glass. Product developments are also expected to reflect the automated and AI-supported development of appliances, in which energy efficiency and design form a unified whole. At the same time, the International Bathroom Exhibition brings together 163 brands from 14 countries. These are likely to focus on the theme of the ‘home spa’, which creates tailor-made atmospheres for the well-being of users. Efficiency and durability are currently further priorities for the development of new bathroom products.
A programmatic novelty is the expansion of the contract area: 2026 will mark the start with curated tours, an international forum and a lecture by architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). An international roadshow is planned for September 2026. A separate, selective exhibition is planned for 2027 and will be based on the master plan by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten, Managing Partner – Architect of OMA. Cooperation with architect Federico Pompignoli, founder of PMP Architecture, is also planned.
Salone Raritas will create a curated section for icons, unique pieces, limited editions and selected antiques in pavilions 9 to 11. Around 25 international exhibitors have been announced; Annalisa Rosso will be responsible for curating the exhibition, while Formafantasma will be responsible for the spatial implementation. Designer Sabine Marcelis will also combine light, matter and perception in an installation. The format is aimed at architects, interior designers and decision-makers in the hospitality and project business, with the aim of linking collectible design and B2B demand more directly.
In the A Luxury Way section, Maison Numéro 20 will present ‘Aurea, an architectural fiction’: an imaginary hotel as a sequenced spatial narrative from the ‘Hall of Dreams’ to the ‘Midnight Bar’. The scenography combines Art Deco, surrealist and cinematic references with a sustainability approach that takes into account circular materials and partner-supported circular economy.
SaloneSatellite welcomes 700 designers under the age of 35 from 43 countries and 23 international universities. The theme ‘Maestria artigiana + Innovazione – Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation’ addresses the connection between craftsmanship, technology and circular materials. The SaloneSatellite Award ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at 3 p.m.
The design agency Leftloft is introducing a new signage system for the Salone del Mobile site, which is intended to simplify orientation with a clear visual hierarchy and pocket map. Accompanying this, the ‘A Matter of Salone’ campaign tells stories about design through material narratives, from stone and wood to rare earth magnets as symbols of rarity, thus addressing the processual nature of design.
During Milan Design Week, the city will host the opening at the Teatro alla Scala, a curated parcours in cooperation with K‑Way, and events in over 200 showrooms. From 21 to 26 April, a free shuttle service between the exhibition grounds and Milan Malpensa Airport will also be offered in cooperation with BusForFun. In terms of organisation, the ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management has been renewed until 2028. The overall objective of the Salone del Mobile is to highlight the transition to increasingly circular and systemic design, in which materials, processes and supply chains become part of the project.
The overall exhibition reinforces the focus on system, material and process issues: integrated kitchen and bathroom ecosystems, contract as a data and service business, curated formats and narrative installations as tools for identity formation. "The strength of the Salone has always lain in its ability to act as a system: not just an event, but a cultural and economic infrastructure in constant transformation. An ecosystem – as confirmed by our work with the Politecnico di Milano – capable of producing widespread value, which translates into economic impact, but also critical thinking, urban regeneration, hospitality and new services", so Maria Porro. (am)
