Milan’s Salone del Mobile has always been a crossroads of innovation and trends in the design world, and the 2024 edition was no exception. This year colors played a starring role, delineating home environments with a new palette that promises to revolutionize contemporary furniture. From deep, sophisticated shades such as burgundy to vivid bursts of coral orange, this year’s color trends offer a bold and fresh take on how colors can influence not only the aesthetics of a room, but also the mood of its occupants.
In this article, we’ll find out what the prominent colors were at the Salone del Mobile 2024, and how they can be integrated inside our homes, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary settings.
The return of the color Burgundy
This year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan marked a triumphant return of the color burgundy, a deep tone reminiscent of red wine shades, that was celebrated both in trendy drinks such as the Negroni Sbagliato and in furniture. The presence of this color manifested itself significantly in Gucci’s display at its flagship store, where Sabato De Sarno, the fashion house’s new creative director, relaunched five Italian design classics in his distinctive “Rosso Ancora”: the Storet chest of drawers designed by Nanda Vigo for Acerbis in 1994, the Clessidra rug by cc-tapis that echoes an iconic design by Piero Portaluppi, the Parola lamp by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni designed for FontanaArte in 1980, the Le Mura sofa by Mario Bellini for Tacchini designed in 1972, and the Opachi vase by Tobia Scarpa for Venini, 1960. This choice not only revamped iconic pieces with a bold modern twist, but also underscored a broader trend in which the boundaries between fashion and interior design are increasingly blurred.
The exhibition highlighted how burgundy can create environments of extraordinary elegance and depth, thanks in part to the use of bright green carpets that contrasted vividly with the red of the seating, demonstrating how color can radically transform a space.
The influences of fashion design on interior design trends are evident, with a growing appreciation for design classics and a renewed interest in rich, saturated colors that can serve as leading players or sophisticated accents in modern interiors.
“Billie Eilish” electric green
At this year’s Salone del Mobile, electric green, nicknamed “Billie Eilish green” for its vibrancy, found a place of honor, emerging as a key color in exhibits focused on sustainability. This bold green was used in numerous stands, highlighting the designers’ commitment to sustainable production. A notable example was David Lee’s “Monolith table” and matching chair presented by Future Impact, where the bright green emphasized innovation in both design and materials, both being produced from recycled aluminum.
The choice of this color is not only a style statement, but also represents a commitment to responsible environmental practices, integrating sustainability into the aesthetic vision of modern design. This green, used in both structural elements and decorative details, demonstrates how design can be both beautiful and ethically conscious, positively influencing consumer choices and promoting sustainability through creative innovation.
The new life of coral orange
In the beating heart of the Salone del Mobile 2024, orange coral shone as a new dominant color trend, proving to be a color far from difficult to match. The vitality of this sunny and cheerful tone has been embraced by prestigious made-in-Italy brands such as Zanotta, Cassina, Poltrona Frau and Magis, integrating it into both new products and reissues of design classics.
Coral orange found its expression in various forms, from decorative detail to the entire three-seater sofa, such as Draga & Aurel’s “Parka” sofa for Poltrona Frau, upholstered in luxurious pumpkin orange leather. This color, with its ability to warm the environment and lift the spirit, proved to be a bold and refreshing choice that can break with monotony, bringing a wave of optimism and modernity to interiors.
The use of this color not only revitalizes the space with joyful energy, but also invites creative explorations in decor, offering a lively canvas for expressing personality and style.
Bring the 2024 colors into interior design
Incorporating these trends into one’s space not only updates the aesthetics of the home but can also influence our mood and perception of the space. Colors have always played a key role in interior design, offering ways to express individuality, create atmospheres or simply revitalize a room.
Incorporating deep burgundy or energetic electric green requires a careful eye not to overload the room. These colors work well as accents in a room, perhaps through a single major piece of furniture or a series of decorative accessories. For those attracted to bolder choices, coral orange offers a vibrant way to infuse energy and warmth into otherwise neutral or minimalist spaces.
Adopting these color palettes can turn into a creative adventure that renews not only the physical space but also our emotional connection with the home. Each color, with its nuances and meanings, carries with it the ability to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary environments, testifying to the power of design in shaping not only our spaces but also our lives.
