Every April, the international design world descends on Milan for Salone del Mobile—and 2025 has proven once again why it's the event of the year for anyone who lives and breathes interiors. Officially running from April 8–13, Milan Design Week (as it’s commonly called) transforms the city into a mecca of creativity, with design debuts, immersive installations, and parties that go well into the night. But Milan Design Week is not just about appreciating new innovations and beautiful things—it presents a forecast of where the industry is headed.
As one of the world’s leading furniture and interiors fairs, Salone is where trends are born. Each year brings breakthroughs in design, technology, and more, and we tapped some of the sharpest design minds in the business to find out what’s new and next. “This year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan made it clear: design is embracing boldness, personality, and thoughtfulness,” says Cintia Dixon, president of ASID New York Metro and CEO of Tlina Design. From palettes inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year and retro-futurism to mixed media and expressive, sculptural forms, Milan Design Week 2025 was a celebration of design at its most personal and imaginative.
Interior designer Travis London, of Studio London Co., put it best: “The energy is electric, and the creativity is next-level.” So, without further ado, here are the top five trends from the 2025 edition of Milan Design Week that designers want you to know now.
Mocha Mousse Is the New Neutral
Call it the "latte" effect—this year, everything at Salone seemed to be dipped in shades of Pantone’s Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse. From lighting to tableware, and across both contemporary and classic styles, warm mocha tones dominated the pavilions in Rho Fiera. “It had an incredibly welcoming effect,” noted Arlene Angard of Arlene Angard Interior Designs and Fine Art. Whether rendered in velvet, lacquer, or ceramics, these hues brought softness and sophistication to every corner.
These earthy tones were often paired with sustainable materials, showing how design continues to deepen its connection to nature. “Mother Nature seemed to be the underlying inspiration,” Angard shared. Think recycled woods, tactile fabrics, and natural finishes with a modern twist. Dixon echoed this statement, noting, “Nature-inspired elements such as cork, bamboo, and pine are once again taking center stage, offering both warmth and eco-conscious appeal.”
Emphasis on Organic Shapes
Designer Maria Lomanto of DesignGLXY is seeing nature’s influence on design taken one step further. From undulating wood furniture to glass that seemed to shimmer mid-melt, organic shapes were anything but static. Lomanto described the look as “Faux Nature+”—a hyper-natural movement that mimics, exaggerates, and even animates the forms we see in everything from furniture and lighting to accessories. “I saw this across all materialities—glass, wood, metal—whether from young brands using 3D printing or a 730-year-old Murano glass company,” she says. In other words, nature is not only back—it’s alive, and it’s “melting, dripping, waving in a breeze” through design in mesmerizing ways.
Embracing History Through Retrofuturism
One of the most distinctive trends at Salone 2025 was a kind of love letter to the past that was reimagined for the future. Margo Fezza of Studio Fezza described it as “future vintage,” with pieces drawing inspiration from the late-19th to mid-20th century with a particular pull from Art Deco, Postmodernism, and even retro-futuristic Space Age design. “Some of my favorite recurring elements were floral Murano glass chandeliers, intricate lattice motifs, high-gloss burl wood, and anything in stainless steel—it always manages to feel super chic,” she shared. This revival was seen not only at the main fair of Salone but also throughout the galleries and curated exhibitions across Milan for its namesake design week.
Fratelli Boffi, Soft Witness, Lemon Furniture, Unicoggetto, Jorge Suárez-Kilzi, and Zieta are some of the amazingly talented manufacturers propelling the trend forward. The aesthetic isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a clever fusion of the past and future that feels fresh, collectible, and very now.
The Rise of Fashion-Home Crossovers
Luxury fashion houses are continuing to make waves in the interiors world. Veterans of the fashion-to-home pipeline, such as Ralph Lauren Home and Hermès, introduced new lines as always, but they were in new company with two fellow fashion brands now also turning to the home space. Louis Vuitton debuted their first-ever home line, while The Row made its own quiet-but-chic debut, comprising understated soft goods crafted from the world’s finest cashmere. High fashion’s pivot to home is reshaping what luxury looks like. “It’s no longer just about what you wear; it’s about how you live,” says London.
Mixing Materials in Surprising Ways
The days of matchy-matchy are over. Salone 2025 celebrated bold material juxtapositions. “Designers are pushing boundaries and adding depth to spaces through fresh, tactile pairings,” London says. Noting sightings of unexpected textures layered together in truly creative ways, like etched marble on statement walls or ceramics on the backs of chairs shown in the image above from Moroso. “Handcrafted accents brought individuality and soul to every room,” says Cinita Dixon. “The vibe is a blend of whimsy and sophistication—playful pieces meet refined details, all brimming with character.”
Meanwhile, in Lancashire, residents are encouraged to see the latest 2025 interior trends at Greenmount Manor. The independent property developer has opened the doors to its show home, giving prospective buyers from Lancashire a first glimpse of what will be 41 luxury residences that seamlessly blend traditional charm with modern living, and showcase the latest interior trends for the year ahead.
According to Diana Irving from Marblehead Homes, the interior designer team behind Morris Homes meticulously crafted show home, 2025 is all about warmth, texture, and a return to nature. “We're seeing a shift toward warmer, neutral colours - think caramel, toffee, bronze, and warm rust tones. Chrome is on the way out, and earthy, organic palettes are taking centre stage,” she explains.
Patterned wallpaper, once considered outdated, is also making a bold comeback. “For the last 10 to 15 years, people have shied away from it - but it's coming back in a big way," says Diana. “We’re also embracing soft curves, organic materials, and rich, dark woods - it’s all about creating a home that feels luxurious yet grounded.” Morris Homes is known for crafting aspirational yet liveable spaces, and the Greenmount Manor show home is no exception.
“It’s about creating spaces where people can truly see themselves living,” said Diana. “Everything we design has to be on-trend but accessible - we even mix in items you can find on the high street to help buyers visualise their future home.” The development’s prime location - close to Manchester with easy motorway access - means the homes are designed to appeal to a wide range of buyers.
“We know we’re catering to families looking for space and proximity to great schools and green spaces, as well as downsizers seeking a sophisticated yet manageable home,” said Rachel MacCutchan, Sales Director for Morris Homes North. This balance is reflected in every detail of the developer’s show home. The 4-bedroom home required sourcing and styling 550 individual pieces, all carefully chosen to inspire buyers.
“From luxury elements for entertaining to cosy, child-friendly spaces, we designed these homes to feel aspirational yet functional,” added Diana. For those inspired to refresh their own spaces, Diana shares a trio of expert insights: Go Big with Furniture, Embrace Dark Colours, and Add Personality with Wallpaper.
The Greenmount Manor development offers a mix of 3 and 4-bedroom homes, each developed with an emphasis on energy efficiency, modern convenience, and timeless style. Nestled in one of Greater Manchester’s most beautiful locations, with Burrs County Park nearby, the show home is open to the public, with Morris Homes inviting potential buyers to experience first-hand how thoughtful design and cutting-edge trends are shaping the homes of tomorrow.
“We’re thrilled to welcome people to see the heart and detail we’ve put into Greenmount Manor,” says Rachel. “It’s an exciting opportunity for buyers to experience the Morris difference - and perhaps even find their perfect home.” Situated two miles from the town of Bury, Greenmount Manor provides easy access to Shuttlesworth, Ramsbottom and Edenfield via the A56, with the M66, M65, and M62 accessible nearby. Commuting distance to Manchester is 13 miles, while Manchester Airport can be reached by tram, bus, or car. With Morris Homes’ unwavering commitment to quality and premium specification, buyers can expect nothing less than the highest standards in design and construction. Every home at Greenmount Manor is covered by NHBC warranty, ensuring that homeowners are protected for ten years after legal completion. The Greenmount Manor show home will be open to view over the Easter weekend including Easter Sunday and the bank holiday Monday.
