New Season, New Trends – Salone Milano 2019

At Salone del Mobile 2019 in Milan, over 400,000 visitors experienced the latest from top designers and brands. IROCO Design spotlights six key trends shaping interiors this season.

Sustainability leads the way, with designers repurposing materials to create durable, eco-friendly products. Emeco, known for recycled chairs since 1944, teamed with Barber and Osgerby to launch the On and On chair—mostly made from recycled plastic bottles—showcasing minimalism and environmental responsibility.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming design. Philippe Starck, Kartell, and Autodesk introduced the AI Chair, created with AI to use minimal material while maintaining comfort and strength. This breakthrough hints at a future where AI and human creativity combine.
 

Nature’s Hues are moving beyond soft pastels to deeper jewel tones and earthy shades, known as Modern Natural. Midnight blue, forest green, pumpkin red, and chocolate brown are popular. Hay’s About a Chair offers hues like Hunter and Dusty Blue, while Insideherland presents upholstery in Atlantic Blue and Olive. Kartell’s vibrant orange Venice Chairs stand out.

The New Metals trend favors warm metals like copper and brass with muted, burnished finishes instead of glossy surfaces. Tom Dixon’s lighting, including the Curve and Fade collections, exemplifies this vintage-inspired look, showcased at Milan’s Manzoni restaurant.
 

The Human Touch celebrates handcrafted, folk-inspired designs. Raw materials such as wood, ceramic, and marble contrast with sleek furniture. Portuguese brand Insideherland revealed creative pieces like leaf-shaped mirrors and rock-inspired furniture, highlighting craftsmanship.

Texture remains essential, with layered, tactile surfaces gaining new interest. Soft materials, pleating, weaving, and natural leather add warmth. Loewe’s leatherwork and woven frames and DelightFULL’s pleated velvet armchairs stand out. Japanese designer Nendo’s “Breeze of Light” installation used thousands of film flowers and lights to create a calming atmosphere.
 
 

These trends blend sustainability, technology, nature, and craftsmanship—defining the future of interior design.

 

Sonia Jackson is CEO IROCO Design Japan – iroco.com – changing the way Asia sources great design.