Five Design Trends from Salone del Mobile 2026

The 2026 edition of Salone del Mobile in Milan, held from April 21 to 26, attracted 316,000 visitors and over 1,900 exhibitors. New exhibitions included Salone Raritas for collectible design, Aurea hospitality concept, and Abito exploring design-fashion ties. Five trends emerged: 1970s inspiration persists but 1990s influences are rising, with Knoll reviving its 1973 Morrison Hannah Chair and Minotti showcasing 1990s-inspired modular seating by GamFratesi, Hannes Peer, and Giampiero Tagliaferri. Conversation pits returned via oversized curved sectionals from Dedon, Minotti, Nii, Tacchini, Norm Architects for Audo Copenhagen, and Acerbis with Claudio Salocchi's Free System. Complex cabinetry appeared in Xavier Lust's gold satin-lacquered bar cabinet, Ilmari Tapiovaara's casework at La Permanente Mobil Cantù, and Michele De Lucchi's interlocking chest for Zanat. Enveloping seating included B&B Italia's return after 25 years with a Vincent Van Duysen outdoor chair, Minotti's curved-backrest chairs, Kartell's Super Tubby sofa by Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, and cierre1972's pillows-on-frame model. Orange was the signature color, seen at Knoll with Johnston Marklee's Biboni chair, Karl Andersson & Söner's zigzag sofa, Campeggi's Quilt Pipe sofa by Giulio Manzoni, Nilufar's orange sconces, Su Yang Choi's seaweed lighting, and Midtun's glass-paneled table.