Salone del Mobile 2026: Lacquer, Sculptural Tables, and Tubular Chairs Dominate
The 2026 Salone del Mobile in Milan highlighted several prominent trends, including the use of lacquer in soft furnishings, the emergence of sculptural tables, and advancements in tubular chair designs. Notable brands like Tacchini, Frigerio, Visionnaire, Minotti, Molteni & C, and Living Divani showcased lacquered sofas and armchairs. Collaborating with Tacchini, Massimo Gardone reintroduced designs by Tobia Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, and Gianfranco Frattini. Minotti's 'Orion' sofa, crafted by Giampiero Tagliaferri, drew inspiration from John Lautner’s architectural style. Visionnaire's 'Baton Rouge,' designed by Mauro Lipparini, features a compact base. Sculptural tables included Ronan Bouroullec's 'Abaco' for B&B Italia and Hannes Peer's 'Blaine' for Minotti, while tubular chairs saw innovative designs from Antonio Citterio and Carlo Colombo. Environmental richness was a focal point for many designers. Reporting was done by Rosa Bertoli for Wallpaper*.
Key facts
- Salone del Mobile 2026 took place in Milan.
- Lacquer was used in soft furnishings at Tacchini, Frigerio, Visionnaire, Minotti, Molteni & C, and Living Divani.
- Massimo Gardone collaborated with Tacchini on reissues by Tobia Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, and Gianfranco Frattini.
- Minotti's 'Orion' sofa by Giampiero Tagliaferri was inspired by John Lautner.
- Visionnaire's 'Baton Rouge' sofa by Mauro Lipparini has a compact base and rear connecting elements.
- Vincent Van Duysen's Molteni & C collection features flowing lines and lacquered finishes.
- Piero Lissoni's 'The Edge' sofa for Living Divani is defined by a lacquered container.
- Ronan Bouroullec's 'Abaco' table for B&B Italia was inspired by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.
- Hannes Peer's 'Blaine' table for Minotti references Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames.
- Sebastian Herkner's 'Tara' table for Flexform was inspired by brutalism.
- Christophe Delcourt's 'Zaho' table for Baxter uses expressive marble.
- Calvi Brambilla's 'Kumo' table for Frigerio evokes Alexander Calder and Henry Moore.
- Antonio Citterio's 'Avalon' chair for Flexform combines tubular base with sartorial attentiveness.
- Cassina and Karakter reissued Nicos Zographos' 1966 cantilevered chair.
- Time & Style offered a tubular chair in molded plywood.
- Carlo Colombo's 'Graffetta' armchair for Lema is named after a paperclip.
- David/Nicolas staged a wooden takeover of their studio for boiserie.
- Hannes Peer created textured wall projects for Officine Saffi Lab and Margraf.
- Patricia Urquiola's 'Mosso' tiles for Cimento are three-dimensional.
- Gachot designed mirrored walls for Artemest.
- David/Nicolas and De Gournay showcased textile wallcoverings at Nilufar Grand Hotel.
- Studioutte's 'Camera Fissa' with De Troupe and Dedar nodded to private clubs.
- Rosa Bertoli is Design Editor of Wallpaper*.
Entities
Artists
- Mauro Lipparini
- Massimo Gardone
- Tobia Scarpa
- Vico Magistretti
- Gianfranco Frattini
- Giampiero Tagliaferri
- Vincent Van Duysen
- Piero Lissoni
- Ronan Bouroullec
- Hannes Peer
- Sebastian Herkner
- Christophe Delcourt
- Calvi Brambilla
- Antonio Citterio
- Nicos Zographos
- Carlo Colombo
- Patricia Urquiola
- Gachot
- David/Nicolas
- Rosa Bertoli
- John Lautner
- Renzo Piano
- Richard Rogers
- Florence Knoll
- Charles Eames
- Ray Eames
- Alexander Calder
- Henry Moore
Institutions
- Salone del Mobile
- Milan Design Week
- Fuorisalone
- Tacchini
- Frigerio
- Visionnaire
- Minotti
- Molteni & C
- Living Divani
- B&B Italia
- Flexform
- Baxter
- Rimadesio
- Lema
- Cassina
- Karakter
- Time & Style
- Officine Saffi Lab
- Margraf
- Cimento
- Artemest
- Nilufar Grand Hotel
- De Gournay
- De Troupe
- Dedar
- Studioutte
- Wallpaper*
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- London
- Udine
- New York
- Lebanon