From April 8 to 13, 2025, Milan once again takes center stage in the global design scene with the return of Salone del Mobile.Milano and Fuorisalone. The city becomes a vibrant stage for innovation, art, and architecture, where the worlds of designers, architects, and creatives converge to reimagine the way we live, work, and interact with space.
Hosted at Fiera Milano Rho, this year’s edition promises an immersive, multi-sensory experience through cutting-edge exhibitions, installations, and forward-thinking dialogues. More than ever, the event emphasizes sustainability, technology, and the emotional intelligence behind contemporary design.
Es Devlin, Library of Light
(Pinacoteca di Brera – Cortile d’Onore, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025).
©Es Devlin Studio
Salone del Mobile 2025: The Numbers Behind the Global Design Powerhouse
With over 169,000 square meters of exhibition space—completely sold out—the Salone continues to grow in scale and influence. A major highlight is the highly anticipated return of Euroluce, the biennial showcase dedicated to lighting design, which will host over 300 brands from 25 countries.
The fair expects to surpass last year’s impressive attendance of 370,000 visitors, thanks also to the growing relevance of SaloneSatellite, which this year welcomes 700 designers under 35 and 20 international design schools and universities. It’s a powerful platform that celebrates new talent and fresh perspectives in global design culture.
The economic footprint of the event is equally striking. Italian brands exhibiting at the fair generate a combined turnover of €9.2 billion—accounting for 34% of Italy’s total furniture and décor sector. International brands contribute nearly €7 billion, confirming the fair’s upward trajectory and its ability to support innovation through future-oriented business models.
“This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the visitor experience, enhancing services for exhibitors, boosting global promotion, and developing new formats. This year alone, we’ve forged new strategic alliances in the United States, China, and most recently, in January, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia, opening new opportunities for Made in Italy in a market where exports are up 22.8%,” said Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano.
A Dialogue with Humanity
At the heart of the 2025 edition is a powerful message: “Thought for Humans.” The event’s new communication campaign, created by Dentsu Creative Italy and brought to life by photographer Bill Durgin, explores the connection between humans and matter. Emotional intelligence takes center stage as the guiding principle in rethinking the future of design.
Projects on display are not just about aesthetics and functionality—they’re about responding to the deep, human need for meaningful, respectful, and inclusive spaces.
“The theme chosen for the 63rd edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano—‘Enlightened Humanism’—offers both a compelling creative challenge for anyone working in design and a meaningful lens through which visitors, enthusiasts, and professionals can reflect on current events. Once again in 2025, Salone will be an unmissable event,” said Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan.
A Program Rich in Art, Architecture, and Creative Synergy
The cultural momentum begins ahead of the fair’s official opening. On April 6, legendary artist Robert Wilson presents Mother, a meditative, site-specific installation at Museo Pietà Rondanini. Created in dialogue with Michelangelo’s final masterpiece and set to music by Arvo Pärt, the piece connects contemporary art with Renaissance legacy, and remains on view through May 18.
At the fairgrounds, Paolo Sorrentino’s emotionally charged installation La dolce attesa (Pavilions 22–24) invites visitors into a poetic narrative space. On April 12, Sorrentino will join journalist Antonio Monda for a public talk at the Arena Drafting Futures by Formafantasma (Pavilion 14), highlighting the synergy between cinema and design.
Paolo Sorrentino, La dolce attesa, © Margherita Palli
Villa Héritage: Pierre-Yves Rochon Redefines Luxury Design
In Pavilions 13–15, architect Pierre-Yves Rochon introduces Villa Héritage, a visionary interior project that merges timeless elegance with modern sensibility. Known for redefining luxury in landmark projects like the Waldorf Astoria New York, Rochon’s work exemplifies how architectural design can create immersive, high-end experiences that go beyond décor.
Pierre-Yves Rochon. Villa Héritage Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 ©PYR
Drafting Futures: Rethinking Design and Architecture
Back for a third year, the Drafting Futures forum brings together leading voices in design, architecture, and research. Curated by Annalisa Rosso, the series explores new global perspectives, sustainability, and the evolving role of the designer. Notable guests include Lesley Lokko, founder of the African Futures Institute, and Valeria Segovia, Design Director at Gensler London.
Euroluce 2025: A Multidisciplinary Future of Light
The inaugural Euroluce International Lighting Forum (April 10–11, Pavilion 2) is a major new addition this year. Under the title Light for Life. Light for Spaces, the forum hosts more than 20 speakers—from lighting designers to scientists and anthropologists—examining how light shapes emotional, environmental, and spatial well-being.
The arena, The Forest of Space, is designed by visionary Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, known for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion and Arbre Blanc tower. His space acts as both an architectural icon and an intellectual hub.
Speakers include Stefano Mancuso, Marjan van Aubel, Kaoru Mende, Patrick Rimoux, and many others, all contributing to a deep, cross-disciplinary exploration of the role of light in the built environment.
SaloneSatellite: The Next Generation of Designers
With a theme of New Craft: A New World, SaloneSatellite this year focuses on reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship through the lens of innovation and sustainability. It encourages young designers to create meaningful connections between cultural identity and the future of design.
A highlight will be Robert Wilson’s visit to meet emerging talents, including a tribute to his alma mater, Pratt Institute.
The Salone’s Four Pillars of Design
The 2025 edition encompasses four major exhibitions:
- Salone Internazionale del Mobile
- Salone Internazionale del Complemento d’Arredo
- Workplace3.0
- S.Project
Together, these segments present a comprehensive picture of contemporary design, from furniture to workspaces, from material innovation to new consumer lifestyles—offering something essential for every designer, architect, and industry leader.