In April, Milan will retake its rightful place as the undisputed capital of global design, as the 63rd edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano and the vibrant Milan Design Week sweep into town. Buckle up, because the Salone train is ready to transport us into the future of design, and we are expecting a few creative collisions in a whirlwind of inspiration throughout the week-long design fair.
With more than 2,100 exhibitors from 37 countries filling more than 169,000 square metres of sold-out exhibition space, the fair remains a vital organ for the international design community – connecting brands, buyers and creatives in a dialogue that has come to shape the future of aesthetics, technology and sustainability. This year’s theme, Thought for Humans, underscores a commitment to design that is both visionary and deeply human-centric, bridging disciplines and perspectives in an ever-evolving creative landscape.
Image credit: Es Devlin
Where to start? Well, if you’re looking for a perfect blend of Italian architectural beauty and avant-garde artistry, look no further than Library of Light. The installation by British artist Es Devlin will illuminate the historic Pinacoteca di Brera, celebrating the transformative power of knowledge. More than 2,000 books, carefully selected and donated by Feltrinelli, complete the masterpiece, creating a luminous tribute to the written word and its boundless potential.
A centerpiece of Euroluce, the biennial lighting exhibition, Devlin’s masterpiece casts a radiant homage to the written word, merging design, art and intellectual exploration in a stunning fusion of light and thought.
Image credit: Marjan van Aubel studio
Following the success of The City of Lights (2023), 2025 is once more the year of Euroluce – 306 exhibitors, among the best brands in the sector, 45 per cent of them from abroad. The Biennale will once again provide an international focus on the evolution of light in indoor and outdoor domestic spaces, as well as in the urban landscape.
Expectations are high for the first edition of The Euroluce International Lighting Forum, a multi-voice debate on the key themes in lighting design: two packed days of masterclasses, roundtables and workshops featuring 20 global speakers, from solar designer Marjan van Aubel to Stefano Mancuso, the plant neurologist, to the great British anthropologist Timothy Ingold.
Meanwhile, Salone del Mobile will unveil four Special Projects, each a masterclass in design and storytelling. Among them, Robert Wilson. Mother at Castello Sforzesco offers an immersive journey, while Villa Héritage by Pierre-Yves Rochon reimagines luxury interiors, inspired by the grandeur of Luchino Visconti’s Venice. With contributions from luminaries like Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino and scenographer Margherita Palli, the 2025 edition promises to capture the very essence of Milan as a city where design is not just seen, but felt.
Image credit: Delfino Sisto Legnani
This year at Fiera Milano, Rho, four major events are expected: Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, Workplace3.0 and S.Project. Together, they create a seamlessly integrated experience where furniture, accessories, fabrics and living solutions evolve to meet the demands of modern living – blurring the lines between home, office and hospitality. Outdoor spaces are expected to take on protagonist roles, driven by cutting-edge research into textures, finishes and performance, while functionality and flexibility shape the next generation of interiors.
SaloneSatellite returns in 2025, stronger than ever, we are told, with 700 emerging designers from 36 countries and 20 top international design schools. This year’s theme, New Craftsmanship: A New World, sets to challenge the next generation to reimagine handmade design, blending tradition with innovation.
Image credit: Salone Del Mobile.Milano
Sustainability remains a key focus, with the Salone reinforcing its commitment to greener practices. Since earning ISO 20121 certification in 2023, the fair has taken measurable steps toward eco-conscious event management, encouraging exhibitors to follow ever-stricter Green Guidelines. The result? A design event that not only inspires but also leads the way in responsible creativity.
As the fair continues to premier the next chapter of design, the energy is set to be electric. From fluid modularity to nature-infused elegance, this year’s edition paints a vision of living that’s as intelligent as it is expressive.
And, arguably, at the very epicentre of it all? The Minotti stand, of course, where this year’s designers and their collections will meet in public for the first time. Kilburn Communications will be there, in the heart of the action, within the heart of the design world itself – bringing you exclusive insights, standout moments and the ideas that are confidently shaping the spaces of tomorrow.
> Since you’re here, why not read our edit on ISH through the eyes of a Roving Reporter for Hansgrohe?
Main image credit: Andrea Mariani
