Milan transforms again in a global stage for design, with the beginning of the Milan Design Week 2024. Between 15 and 21 April, the city not only celebrates the traditional Salone del Mobile in Rho Fiera, but becomes a vibrant innovation workshop during Fuorisalone, with events in every metropolitan corner. The Milan Design Week is more than a not-to-be-missed appointment for industry professionals, but also a precious occasion for aesthetic and functionality enthusiasts, who want to dive in the last trends in the international design.
The 2024 edition promises to be groundbreaking, with strong emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity, reflecting growing global concerns about the future of our planet and society. Design districts, from Brera to Tortona, passing through the innovative installations of 5VIE and Porta Venezia, are preparing to showcase the best of contemporary creativity, ranging from high-tech furniture to the most sophisticated experiments in biophilic design.
Milan Design Week 2024: more than sixty years alongside design
Milan Design Week, inaugurated more than sixty years ago, has matured from a modest local exhibition to an event of international significance, essential for anyone involved in the world of design. Each year, this festival transforms Milan into a global showcase, prompting designers, brands and innovative thinkers to present their latest creations. 2024 is no exception, with a program that promises to explore new boundaries of design, placing special emphasis on sustainability and technological innovation. This year’s event stands out for its ability to balance innovation and tradition, hosting a series of installations that reflect a growing ecological awareness and commitment to inclusive design. The week is littered with presentations ranging from eco-friendly furniture and living solutions to avant-garde experiments that challenge traditional perceptions of space and functionality.
A key element of Design Week is its lasting impact on the city of Milan. In addition to serving as a catalyst for global design trends, the event helps define the cultural and economic fabric of the city, promoting Milan not only as a center of fashion, but also as an epicenter of innovative design thinking. With each edition, Milan Design Week not only celebrates new directions in design but also reinforces its role as one of the most influential platforms for contemporary design in the world.
What will be the appointments not to be missed
Milan Design Week 2024 is full of events that catalyze the attention and curiosity of designers, critics and enthusiasts. The installations range from the innovative to the interactive, with a focus on sustainability and responsible use of resources, reflecting global trends toward a greener future. One of the highlights is the multisensory experience offered by Google in its “Making Sense of Color” exhibition space. This installation invites visitors to explore the meaning and impact of color in contemporary design through a journey that mixes technology and art. Similarly, Samsung presents “Newfound Equilibrium,” a reflection on the relationship between humanity and technology that promises to offer new perspectives on how devices can enrich daily life. No less important is Roca’s installation, “Sparking Change,” which through an impressive demonstration of sustainable innovations in the ceramics industry, explores how design can contribute to the decarbonization of the industry. These exhibitions are not just showcases of products or ideas but act as platforms for dialogue and reflection on how design can solve concrete problems and improve people’s lives.
In addition to these major installations, Fuorisalone offers a packed calendar of smaller but equally significant events scattered throughout the city, making each district of Milan a hub of creativity and innovation. This year, the event also pushes beyond traditional boundaries, with new areas such as NoLo and the Sarpi Zone emerging as new centers of creative gravity, offering a series of installations and workshops that reflect the diversity and dynamism of Milanese design.
The trends we’ll see this year
2024 marks a year of significant transformations in the world of interior design, reflecting a growing interest in sustainability and reconnecting with nature. Milan Design Week has always been a showcase for stylistic and technological vanguards, and this year is no exception, highlighting a return to the natural materials and earthy colors that dominate the palettes of designers and architects. An emerging trend is the use of green in all its shades, from sage to emerald, showing a clear preference for tones that evoke natural spaces and tranquility. These colors not only dominate exhibition spaces but are also found in numerous product offerings, from furniture to decorative accessories. Chocolate brown and burnt orange, along with mustard yellow, contribute to a warm palette that is directly inspired by the 1970s, a decade that continues to strongly influence contemporary design. In the field of materials, limewash and other natural finishes are gaining popularity, offering not only aesthetic beauty but also sustainability and environmental health benefits. These materials are used in both residential and commercial settings, demonstrating their versatility and applicability in different types of environments. In terms of furniture, there is a renewed appreciation for classic, time-tested designs. Iconic pieces such as Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chairs and De Sede’s “Snake” DS-600 sofa continue to dominate market preferences, signaling continued interest in forms that combine timeless aesthetics and functionality. This trend is reinforced by the presence of classic Murano glass lamps and Noguchi’s Akari lanterns, illustrating a return to the classic in lighting design.
Milan Design Week 2024 confirms itself as an arena of innovation and inspiration, reinforcing its role as a design capital with an event that not only anticipates trends but sets new standards of sustainability, beauty and functionality. Each installation, event and presentation during the week represents a piece of a larger mosaic, that of a global community seeking to respond to contemporary challenges through creativity and innovation. This year’s edition, with its focus on environmental issues and the inclusion of increasingly diverse and innovative spaces, demonstrates that design can be a powerful tool for change. From Google to Roca, from Samsung to small emerging galleries in the city’s most hidden districts, Milan becomes a showcase of collective commitment to a more responsible and welcoming future.