Experience the Best of Interior Design at Salone del Mobile
Italian design at its finest at Salone del Mobile in Milan. Here is what you need to know about the largest interior design event of the year.
Salone del Mobile is the largest furniture fair in the world, held in Milan, Italy, during Milan Design Week. From exquisite kitchen cabinetry to living room furnishing and spectacular light installations, you can discover the latest trends, new styles and the finest decor items that define furniture and design trends worldwide.
Every year, interior design brands from all over the world come to Milan to showcase their latest collections and styles. The show returns in April with some changes and innovations to make the experience even more memorable. Here is what you need to know to attend the world's largest furniture exhibition as we share the inside scoop.
About Salone del Mobile
The history of Salone del Mobile dates back to the early sixties when it was founded to promote the trade of Italian-made furniture. Throughout the decades, the show has significantly expanded. It has become an international hotspot for the design industry, where the latest innovations from lighting, kitchen design or furnishing companies are showcased, often birthing some of the most significant trends for the industry.
And clearly, this is why design professionals, buyers, journalists or aficionados attend the Salone every year. They all want to be the first to discover upcoming trends and designers, inquire about the most notable pieces or communicate the latest news to their readers or followers.
Attending the Salone del Mobile show
Salone del Mobile returns for its 61st edition from April 18 to 23 at the Fiera Milano Rho trade center. Thousands of design experts and lovers will once again gather here to explore the best and latest the industry has to offer for every room in your house.
The show is more than just a furniture fair. It's an elaborate celebration that fills the city with countless events held throughout the city featuring art, creativity and design. Milan's Design Week is an energy-filled extravaganza that involves everyone in the whole city, from locals to tourists, as well as design experts who travel to Milan for the occasion from all over the world.
Location
Milan's Design Week takes over the whole city. You'll find buzzing events in boutiques and exciting locations around the city center. However, the central part of the show, where almost 2,000 international exhibitors showcase their products and designs, takes place at the main ground of Milan's Rho Fiera convention center.
It is a massive space with hundreds of showrooms for the most established brands, up-and-coming designers, and even design schools. Unlike in previous years, this year's event will be held on the first level of the pavilion to make it easier and more comfortable for attendees.
Other event location
We mentioned how Design Week is spread all over the city. So (apart from the Rho Fiera), these are the other main destinations for design lovers and professionals who come to Milan during this week:
Alcova
Curated by Joseph Grima and Valentina Ciuffi, Alcova is a platform for independent design. It has been a significant part of the event for the last five years. Every year Alcova takes over a different dilapidated building within the city limits, bringing life to them for hosting events, exhibitions, performances and other types of art installations. This year's venue is the Porta Vittoria Abattoir.
Design districts
Every year a few of the city districts take a leading role in the celebrations for Milan's Design Week. From Brera to Isola or Tortona, the quarters or districts of Milan get involved in the ever-changing furniture fair.
Fuorisalone
Fuorisalone is the term used to refer collectively to individual events held throughout the city. From art installations to talks, presentations and parties, the celebrations outside the Salone's main events take all sorts of shapes.
Making the most of the experience
Milan's Design Week involves countless presentations, talks, exhibits, cocktails and installations taking place over a few short days. Attending the show can become an overwhelming experience for the unprepared. The reality is that it's impossible to participate in everything. Here are our top tips on how to make the most of your visit to Milan's furniture fair.
You can visit your favorite pavilions and the most intriguing talks at the main fairgrounds before heading to the city center for any cocktails and presentations you wish to attend. Plan your schedule beforehand and keep it in mind during the day.
The subway is the quickest and most efficient way to get around. You can get to the Rho Fiera with line 1 of the metro as it connects the main fair directly to central stations such as Duomo.
Also, before heading to Milan, read about your favorite brands' plans for Design Week. This way, you can plan what to attend and not miss out on anything important. Nobody would want to find out too late about the best celebrations.
Navigating the event
If you are not staying in Milan for the whole duration of Design Week, you might find it impossible to explore all the different events that the Salone del Mobile has to offer. Focus on the show's main fairgrounds to make the most of your time. Here is where you'll find the showrooms of the participating brands spread across the multiple pavilions of the Rho Fiera.
Although the Rho Fiera is a single exhibition space, it's a massive venue that spans over 400,000 square feet and holds almost 2,000 exhibitors, daily talks, and expert panels. For that reason, seeing it all is impossible. Plan what you want to see, and prioritize your time for your favorite brands and speakers. The Circolare Fiera shuttle bus service also operates during the exhibition days, so consider taking it to save time traveling between the exhibits.
On another note, try to head to the space early. That way, you can explore the fair before the crowds head in. Additionally, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the map of the fair before entering the grounds. This way, you'll avoid feeling overwhelmed by the sheer size of the space.
What’s new in 2023
Following last year's celebrations, the 2023 Salone del Mobile will continue to focus on sustainability, a considerable worry for the industry. However, other novelties are waiting for you to discover in this year's edition of the furniture fair:
Every two years, the International Lighting Exhibition "Euroluce" takes place at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, bringing attention to the lighting industry. This year, the lighting biennial will be based on the concept of The City of Lights, bringing a more enjoyable and practical layout to the event.
The concept of The City of Lights will also define the cultural program of this year's Salone del Mobile, which includes talks, expert panels and a specialized library, amongst many other things.
As mentioned, this year's event will occupy only the first level of the Rho Fiera, making getting around the exhibition space and the different pavilions easier.
Conclusion
All in all, attending the Salone del Mobile in Milan can be a fantastic experience. Whether you are an interior design professional or someone passionate about the industry, you will enjoy the buzzing energy of the city during Design Week. Discovering new and groundbreaking designs, networking and attending various events and art exhibits is an experience at the Salone that goes beyond any other design fair. And so, if you plan on attending, make sure to prepare before you go.
Learn more about Salone del Mobile in Milan on the show's official site.