This year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan (April 8–13, 2025) once again proved that design is not merely about aesthetics.
It served as a dialogue about design as a way of life and as a lens through which we interpret the world around us — a mindset, a life philosophy, and a tool that directly shapes our daily experiences.
The participation of leading creators, design houses, and brands from across the globe reaffirmed one core belief: design is culture — and above all, it is evolution.
The New Luxury: Simplicity and Timelessness
The dominant theme running through this year’s exhibits was conscious design — born of thoughtful intention, with respect for the environment, for human needs, and for time itself.
The “quiet luxury” trend reigned supreme in most collections: clean lines, natural materials, and neutral palettes shaped a world where true prestige lies in detail and quality, not in display. Marble, wood, and metal — often recycled or upcycled — took center stage, proving that authenticity is the new status symbol.
Technology Behind Simplicity
Though the final result appeared minimal, technology was omnipresent — discreet yet impactful. Smart lighting systems, sustainable fabrics with antibacterial properties, and modular furniture designed to adapt to changing needs all underscored one thing: contemporary design goes beyond form, extending into functionality and intelligence.
Sensory Design: Multisensory Experiences
One of the exhibition’s strongest themes was the multisensory approach. Design now seeks to engage not only sight, but also touch, sound, and even smell.
Installations like Aesop’s demonstrated how holistic experiences can deepen our emotional connection to the spaces we inhabit.
Standout presentations came from iconic brands: Hermès with its floating structures that blurred the line between object and installation; Loewe with a collection of 60 handcrafted teapots; and Aesop with a mysterious interplay of light and texture. Each distinct, yet united by a shared philosophy: to move the visitor not just visually, but emotionally.
At Milan, design revealed itself as multisensory — not merely form or function, but experience.
The key takeaway from Salone del Mobile 2025 is that design is not an end in itself.
It is a conversation between people and space — a medium for crafting experiences, telling stories, and living more meaningfully.
And that, ultimately, is the true challenge: to design for life .
