MY TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2023

Milan Design Week is the biggest design event in the world, Top designers and manufacturers from all over the world gather to showcase the latest trends, innovations and products. This year, the event returned to its regular April slot—the first time since the pandemic. It was too exciting to miss—I couldn’t resist!

In this post, I’m going to share my 6 top takeaways and delve into some of the most exciting trends and designs that caught my eye. From rich, organic shapes to warm, spicy colours, there was so much to see and experience. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let me take you on a journey through Milan Design Week 2023.

1. Texture, texture, texture!

The biggest trend at Milan Design Week was the omnipresence of texture.

There was hardly a plain surface in sight. Walls were adorned with fluted panels and 3D finishes. Upholstery featured pleats and channel stitching to add depth. For those of you that thought that boucle was just a passing trend – think again! Boucle fabric was out in force – but not just in ivory but in an array of colours, Designers added more texture with channel-stitched details and pleats.

Click here to read more of the Importance of Texture in Interior Design.

2. Biophilic Design

One thing was clear—biophilic design is here to stay.

Sales of house plants skyrocketed during the pandemic as locked down homeowners missed the outdoors. But even now, designer’s love of plants and natural materials, continues. Biophilia is no longer a mere trend. It has become a basic tenet of interior design. We now know that sights and sounds of nature improve our health and wellbeing and incorporating these elements into our home has become a mainstay of interior design. At the event, many exhibitors integrated plants and greenery into their products, such as sofas with integrated planters and pendant lights with tiny plant holders.

Click here to read more: The True purpose of design – the creation of built environments that make us feel good and improve our wellbeing.

3. Irregular and Organic Shapes and Natural Materials

Irregular and organic shapes dominated Milan Design Week, from curved sofas to tables and pendant lights with fluid, organic forms. Even rugs featured fluid and irregular shapes. The mania for marble mania continued – with designers showcasing marble with rich veins and raw, unfinished textures.

Alabaster, a material that was popular in the 70s and 80s, is also experiencing a renaissance.

4. Colors from the Spice Box

Hot and spicy colours Rich, natural, and spicy colours like saffron, turmeric, paprika, masala, and cinnamon were prevalent and often paired with sage-green or neutrals to create an inviting palette. For example, MNO Studio’s living room setup combined saffron walls, turmeric accents, and cinnamon-hued textiles for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

5. Soft Lighting

Soft, diffused lighting was also on display, with backlit stones and glass gaining attention. Alabaster lighting emerged as a popular trend. Several designers, integrated lighting into furniture pieces in interesting and innovative ways.

 

6. Maximalism

Maximalism still reigns – many designers showcased high-octane joyful extravagant designs in a post-pandemic celebration of life

Extravagant displays, such as Dolce & Gabbana’s all-gold showcase and Philipp Plein’s flower-covered Rolls Royce, showcased the continued popularity of maximalism. One of my favourite booths was the Gessi display. The Italian brand showcased their innovative new collection of faucets against a glorious background of digital florals in soft, joyful colours.

Click here to read more of: Decoding Modern Maximalism

Milan Design Week 2023 proved to be a treasure trove of inspiration, highlighting the importance of texture, biophilic design, organic shapes, warm coulors, maximalism, and soft lighting in the world of interior design.  I can’t wait to incorporate these ideas into my work and create exciting pieces.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through Milan Design Week 2023!