The Making of a World-Renowned Design Exhibition
Salone Del Mobile marks its 64th edition
Salone del Mobile marks its 64th edition (since 1961) and has seen six presidents before Maria Porro, the first woman leading since 2021 (now 5 years). The simple DNA of the show is summarised very simply by Porro,“The Salone del Mobile stemmed from a very clear idea - to put an event together, every year, an event in which the industry can recognise itself, engage with others and strengthen its ability to adapt to change. Today, this responsibility is even clearer.”
With over 1,900 exhibitors from 32 countries across 169,000 sqm of net space. It draws designers, enthusiasts, architects, interior designers-everyone in-between-on global pilgrimage to Rho Fiera. They hunt the next big thing for A-list projects, inspiration, clients, networking under colour, shapes, cutting-edge visions made tangible and to engage with the essence of the industry.
Art wraps bathroom fittings, mastery stamps products, wallpaper cascades like dreams, sofas demand encores, chairs steal solo spotlights with metaphorical flowers tossed at first sight.
Crowd-magnet pieces spark designer scrums; others queue orderly. Conservatives ink contact books-names, numbers, emails-for order follow-ups. Serious buyers seal deals on-site, gems shipped worldwide for masterpiece finishes. Retailers snag shelf trophies-design jewels for homes, offices, museums and more.
“Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither Salone del Mobile in Milan.”
“The Salone del Mobile stemmed from a very clear idea - to put an event together, every year, an event in which the industry can recognise itself, engage with others and strengthen its ability to adapt to change. Today, this responsibility is even clearer.”
— Maria Porro -President of Salone del Mobile
Once a fleeting hippocampal flash-parietal neurons sketching angular forms-now exquisite sculptural products. From DMN recombination to PFC evaluation, CAD prototypes to Salone evidence.
Few see the making scale-high-vis pros arrange colours, textures, backgrounds, backdrops, scaffolds padlocked. Oceans of boxes reading ‘Fragile’, daintily marched to their quarters, by hands of different shapes, colours and sizes. Plaster casts revealed, painted walls, products matched, crack-"Get Roberto quick!"-graze-"Patricia, smooth it!"-"Wrong finish? Spare size saves us…"
Every hinge clicks on swivelling arms, LEDs seal under frosted acrylics, cables zip-tie through milled risers. Cranes lower 4m lighting, polishers mirror brass, electricians sync 50-fixture glows, carpenters laser-level 200kg plinths, textile teams steam linen over sinuous partitions.
So now the last nail hammers that geometric oak frame, last screw drills the cantilevered glass shelf, six men in industrial gloves rest after hauling the monolithic marble centrepiece.
Hard work, grit, organisation, late nights, sacrifice. Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither Salone del Mobile in Milan.
What will you discover at Salone 2026?