Salone del Mobile 2022: What to Expect

We are halfway through 2022 and have been inundated non-stop with news about the current corona figures, the war in Ukraine and disturbing information about global warming. These global issues are not only seen on the news but also translate into the interior, decoration and design trends to be discovered at the 60th edition of Milan’s Salone del Mobile from 7-12 June.

What is Salone del Mobile?

The Salone del Mobile is more than just a furniture fair, it is a meeting of remarkable creative minds from around the world. Every year, for a week, Milan is transformed into another dynamic city, the design city. This year the programme includes some important themes such as rebooting, adaptation, sustainability, ecological transition and the future of life.

Milan, the fashion capital and design mecca, has been hosting Salone del Mobile one week a year for 60 years. Usually this event takes place in April, but this year the Salone was postponed to early June due to strict corona measures. This year, you can visit9 exhibitions at the Salone that takes place from 7 to 12 June. These exhibitions will give you a glimpse of tomorrow’s interior trends from decoration to the latest technical gadgets.

Comfort for everyone

In recent years, due to the corona pandemic, we have been spending more and more time indoors; this also has an effect on the interior of the future. After being forced to sit inside for 24 hours a day, people have come to appreciate the importance of good interior design more than ever. In 2022, an interior will be more than a space filled with “nice and expensive things” but a place where we seek comfort and peace and where the quality and well-being of life come first.

Own space

The events of recent years have also brought a change in behaviour. We have a greater need for our own space, for example a secluded corner to work from home or to have a chat. We also have a greater need for our own space for rest and concentration. This trend will soon be found not only in homes but also in offices. If you want to see it for yourself, visit the Workplace3.0 exhibition.

Soft design

In the future, our interiors will change into a personal cocoon. We will choose furniture with more organic, flowing forms that occur in nature. Soft and warm materials that contrast with the hard and cold outside world cannot be missed either. Interiors will evoke a sense of calm for every sense. It will be more than just a visually calming space; your sense of touch, hearing and smell will be stimulated as well.

Tactile design

The focus on the physical sensation of the textures around us has become much greater during our isolation. We want to feel natural finishes and materials such as wood, stone, wool and linen in contrast to the sterile smooth computer screens we live behind. Tactile design is not only beautiful but it is also a first step towards a more inclusive interior. Want to discover this for yourself? Then visit the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition.

Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the major themes at the Salone del Mobile 2022. This is certainly not an unimportant theme when you look at the ongoing climate issue. The basic aims of sustainable design are to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste and create healthy, productive environments. Above all, sustainable design aims to meet our needs and those of future generations. Explore this theme at the SaloneSatellite exhibition.

Back to the past

We are all doing our best to live more sustainably, but with the ever-changing interior design landscape of recent years, it has not been easy to apply this to your home. That is why we are returning to traditional interior design that transcends trends, because it is comfortable, simple, beautiful and long-lasting. This will be reflected in the booming of vintage, vintage inspired and upcycled furniture. By choosing vintage, we are not only recycling, but also getting furniture that will last for decades to come.

Natural materials

For the past few years, we have been craving the fresh air of the outdoors and being surrounded by nature. Now we can go back outside (almost) without any problems but the desire to have more nature around us has not disappeared. Therefore, in the coming years, interiors will make greater use of natural and cosy materials such as linen and cotton, clay and brick, velvet and ceramics to create a calming and organic environment in our homes. This tranquillity is a natural consequence of the general search for slow quality in our lives and a way to make a more sustainable and nature respecting approach central to interior design.

Circular design

With sustainability as the central theme at the Salone del Mobile, it is not surprising that circular design is one of the design trends of the coming years. Circular design finally makes it clear that a good product remains usable for a long time and can be repaired if necessary. This trend and quest in the interiors of modern homes is particularly evident in the renewed love of retro style and a surge in repaired iconic pieces that fill the space in a unique way.

High tech house

When you think of interior design trends and the house of the future, you probably think of a high-tech house equipped with the latest gadgets. Although we are not yet living in a science fiction film, technology and interior/furniture design are flowing closer and closer together. Especially when it comes to kitchen design, the EuroCucina exhibition at Salone del Mobile will give you the opportunity to find out more about the technical gadgets for the house of the future.

Technical gadgets

Technical gadgets and smart home technology have been on the rise in popularity since the 2000s. These new technologies give you more control over your energy consumption by automating things like adjusting the temperature, turning lights on and off, opening and closing window coverings and adjusting watering based on the weather. Technology like Alexa and Google home has been making our lives easier for years but in the next few years it will surely evolve even more.

Online design

People are increasingly seeking comfort in the online world through gaming and the rise of virtual worlds and lifestyles. This will lead consumers to look for digital design interfaces and more expressive electronics for home use. We will also see this trend at the Salone del Mobile thanks to meta-luxury brand Visionnaire. This brand has become the reference in the Made in Italy interior design sector. Visionnaire launched NFTs that showcase the brand’s ongoing relationship and dialogue with the Avant-garde.

Optimistic opulence

In recent years, people have looked gloomily to the future, but when things are bad, they can only get better. That’s also what the designers of the xLux section of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile thought. There will be an optimistic view of the interior, designed with a luxurious splendour that would be the envy of the roaring twenties. This year, we will see luxurious interiors dedicated to temporal designs yet contemporary.

Luxury materials

One of the most widely used techniques by interior designers to create a luxurious interior is to use luxurious materials. This year at the Salone del Mobile, we will see many rich materials such as natural stone and marble in different colour shades, unique textures and patterns. These materials are not only beautiful but also very practical, easy to maintain, durable, good in a humid environment and have a minimal emission into the ecosphere.

Gold accents

When we talk about luxurious materials, we cannot forget the mosticonic material. Gold. This precious metal has been considered a symbol of strength and wealth since ancient times. According to the designs shown at Salone del Mobile, we will see more and more golden accents in our interiors in the coming years. These gold accents add a subtle sophistication to any space, regardless of your interior style.

Monochrome

In the coming years we will see more and more monochrome interiors. A monochrome interior can radiate a distinct personality, create a serene atmosphere or give a cosy, cocoon-like feeling. The most minimalist, luxurious interiors will use a black and white colour combination. These two contrasting shades have been appearing in design for years alongside notable interior design trends. Perhaps black and white is not a “timeless” trend in the strict sense of the word, but this dramatic combination has certainly proven to be lasting.