The Milan Furniture Fair, or Salone del Mobile di Milano in Italian, is the largest furniture fair of its kind in the world. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Milan Furniture Fair and what it means for your business.
What is the Milan Furniture Fair (Salone del Mobile di Milano in Italian)?
The event takes place in Milan, Italy, furniture designers, lighting designers, and designers of home furnishings consider the Milan Furniture Fair the ideal venue for showcasing new products. International designers and furniture manufacturers arrive at the fair to give a glimpse into their creativity, vision, and forecasts of upcoming trends. The Salone del Mobile di Milano has become so well-recognized that the city of Milan is affectionately called the Capital of Design.
The Milan Furniture Fair initially debuted in Milan, Italy in 1961. Only 361 companies participated in the first Fair.
The very first Salone del Mobile was arranged by Cosmit Archello (Comitato Organizzatore del Salone del Mobile Italiano.)
Over the years, the Milan Furniture Fair has evolved into a global event. Now thousands of businesses participate. The event originally focused on Italian furniture trends and designs. The objective was to encourage and promote Italian furniture exports.
In 1967, the Salone del Mobile di Milano officially became an international, worldwide event. From 1967 to 1990, the exhibition was held every other year. Starting in 1991, the Fair became an annual event that continues today. The only exception was 2020 when the Furniture Fair was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Unknown brands and prestigious names take part in the Milan Furniture Fair. The event is not exclusively about furniture. Lighting and other interior design items are showcased at the event. Euroluce hosts the lighting show. Both indoor and outdoor innovations in lighting are presented during the event.
What Are The 3 Categories at the Milan Furniture Fair?
The exhibition features products in three style categories:
- Classic
The Classic category features furniture with an emphasis on expert craftsmanship, skillfully constructed with respect for tradition.
- Design
The Design category comprises stylish products that are functional yet innovative.
- xLux
The xLux category reflects the latest contemporary styles steeped in timeless luxury.
Trade professionals attend the show to view new products, designs, and innovative ideas. The exhibition opens to the public on the last two days of the seven-day event.
The Salone del Mobile Milan is not only for Italians. It is estimated that over half of the Milan Furniture Fair’s visitors are from outside of Italy. The international presence is strong. The exhibition is the ideal meeting point for design professionals to network, form connections, discover new markets, and find suppliers.
Secondary Exhibitions during the Salone del Mobile
The theme of the Milan Furniture Fair encompasses both interior design and furniture trends. There are also secondary exhibitions related to the main theme that are always popular.
Many parts of Milan take part in related activities and events during the Salone del Mobile. Events around Milan that are outside the Fair are referred to as, “FuoriSalone.”
Hundreds of design events take place throughout Milan during the Furniture Fair. There are exhibitions, showrooms, workshops, and parties during the week of the Salone del Mobile. One of the most popular locations is at Via Tortona.
In the Furniture Fair, Salone Internazionale del Bagno and Eurocucina Eurocucina take part in the exhibition. Eurocucina was launched as part of the Milan Furniture Fair in 1974. On odd years of the Milan Furniture Fair, SaloneUfficio and Euroluce participate.
Furniture manufacturers from the Federlegno-Arredo trade association are the original organizers of the event. The Furniture Fair grew in popularity and size throughout the years. Over 13,000 companies from all parts of the globe are able to present their products in the Milan Furniture Fair venue during the event.
The Milan Furniture Fair attracts as many as 270,000 visitors from over 188 countries. During the Furniture Fair week, the design and style fervor spreads throughout Milan. Shops, parks, galleries, and public places embrace design and style to honor the event. Many debut new collections, and offer special attractions, events, or displays.
When Does The Milan Furniture Fair Take Place?
The Milan Furniture Fair is a trade show that takes place annually in the city of Milan, Italy. The exhibition is considered to be the world’s most influential design event. The Salone del Mobile is the world’s biggest trade show for interior design products. It attracts more than 270,000 visitors every year, 100,000 of whom are trade professionals. It also draws a huge amount of media attention, with over 600 journalists attending the event every year.
The first few days of the Fair are traditionally reserved for trade only. The event opens to the public on designated days. If you are wondering how to reach the Salone Internazionale del Mobile and you don’t plan on driving, Milan has an excellent public transportation system.
Why is the Milan Furniture Fair So Prominent in The World of Furniture and Design?
The Milan Furniture Fair is the biggest and most important fair in the furniture industry, which is why it’s important for designers, retailers, and manufacturers. It’s also the perfect place to launch a new brand or product, as it attracts so much media attention.
The goal of the event is not just to get a product on the shelves of retailers. The Fair offers the ideal opportunity to exponentially increase brand recognition. The Milan Furniture Fair is also a great place to meet new suppliers, build partnerships, and expand your network.
Attendees get to see what’s new in the industry and what’s trending. It’s also a great place to get inspiration and see what’s possible.
Exhibiting is also a great way of getting your brand in front of potential buyers. The Milan Furniture Fair is a great investment for businesses in relevant industries.
Who attends the Milan Furniture Fair?
The Milan Furniture Fair attracts retailers, designers, manufacturers, investors, and journalists from around the world. People attend the fair to source products, meet with suppliers, and learn more about the industry. Retailers will use the fair to source products for their upcoming lines.
Designers will attend the fair to source products to use in their own designs, meet with suppliers, and get inspiration from the event’s many events and lectures. At the same time, investors will attend the fair to find new brands to invest in.
How to Have an Exhibit at the Milan Furniture Fair
What follows are useful tips to maximize your success at the Fair. When it comes to marketing your brand at the Milan Furniture Fair, you should think about your brand’s story, your target audience, and what makes you different from your competitors. Take a strategic approach to get the most out of the Fair.
You should also think about how to stand out and make an impression. One thing to think about when planning your strategy is whether you should exhibit alone or as part of a collective. Exhibiting alone can be very expensive, but you also have the opportunity to design your own experience in a way that suits your brand and needs. Most exhibitors agree that the ROI is worth the expense.
You may want to exhibit with a collective, on the other hand, if you don’t have the funds to do it alone or you want to reach a wider audience. Before you make a decision, you should think about the following:
- Your brand’s story
- Your target audience
- What makes you different from your competitors
- How to stand out and make an impression
- Your budget
Check the Salone del Mobile website for the specific procedure for the Fair because it changes from year to year. In order to attend the Milan Furniture Fair, you must register and pay a registration fee. This fee is non-refundable, but you will receive a refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the show opens. You can find information about the show online, and you can also find a list of participating dealers on the website.
There are many different types of vendors and many different products that you can find. Some of these vendors’ products include:
- Furniture: Everything from new and returning vendors, including Seating, Tables, Coffee Tables, Desks, Workstations, Beds, Kitchen Furniture, Sofas, Armchairs
- Spa
- Electrical items
- Faucets, Taps
- Washbasins
- Carpets
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Cabinetry
- Hardware
- Showers and Bathtubs
- Bidets and Toilets
- Home Accessories
- Paintings
- Wallpaper
- Fabric
- Linens
- Decorative Items
- Leather Goods
- Accessories
- Spa and Wellness items
- Gazebos, Pergolas, and Umbrellas
- Gym and Fitness
Rooms that are often featured at the Milan Furniture Fair include:
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Outdoor
- Workplace
- Wellness
When you attend the show, you can view many different types of products, and you will be able to see how they are displayed. This is an excellent opportunity for you to get ideas for your own home. You will also be able to get information about new products that are being introduced into the market.
If you are planning on visiting the show, keep in mind it is extremely popular. You should be prepared for crowds each day of the event. There may be long lines at the registration desk. Arrive early so you can spend some time walking around the show. This will give you a better idea of what is available, and you will have more time to look at the products.
If you are renovating your home or designing a new one, you can look for inspiration at the Milan Furniture Fair. Once you select your style and decor, you can decide what metals coordinate and how you want to customize the features in your home. For example, you may want a freestanding tub in your bathroom, like this Grande Custom Soaker Bathtub from CopperSmith.
Once you see the trends, you can implement your favorites into your home renovations. CopperSmith’s Pedestal Bowl Fire Pit adds style, design, and functionality to your backyard.
Memorable Highlights from Past Milan Furniture Fairs
Each Salone del Mobile has a familiar structure but features a unique theme. This can be a design topic, trend, or entertainment. For example, in 2019, for the first time in the history of the Milan Furniture Fair, the event opened with a concert conducted by Riccardo Chailly, the musical director of the famed Milan Teatro Alla Scala.
The Salone del Mobile also paid tribute to the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. Two different event locations highlighted aspects of da Vinci’s achievements and innovations.
Milan Furniture Fair Is A Must-See Event
If you’re an interior designer or in any related industry, you don’t want to miss the Milan Furniture Fair. The Salone del Mobile di Milano is often the launching point of the latest trends in furniture and design.
Attending the Milan Furniture Fair should be your top priority since it is one of the largest and most prominent furniture fairs in the world. As a bonus, the location is the exciting city of Milan, Italy. Attendance varies depending on the year, but the event features over 2,500 exhibitors from all over the world, plus 700 or more young Italian designers, and visitors in the hundreds of thousands each year.
The Fair has the power to catapult unknown brands into the competitive world of interior design. Established brands present their innovative designs and new products.
Attendees gain valuable insights into the trends and continual evolution in furniture and design. Whether you refer to the event as the Milan Furniture Fair or the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano, this is the premier design event for interior designers, furniture manufacturers, trade professionals, and consumers.