A Milanese Moodboard

From immersive installations to interesting material explorations, here are the standout interior and lighting trends, as seen at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2025.

WORDS & PHOTOS Susanne Brodnik

This year’s Milan Design Week saw the city transform into an exciting hub of design where Renaissance grandeur, mid-century nostalgia, and futuristic optimism intertwined with intent by reimagining courtyards, ateliers and hidden gardens in every corner of the city. Here, the inspiring trends interior designer Susanne Brodnik spotted during her trip to the Italian city.

Green hues were everywhere – emerald, mint, avocado, and sage tones returned with bold confidence, often layered alongside fiery sunrise palettes of terracotta, orange, and deep burgundy shades. Complementary colours merged to create glamorous spaces that felt both raw, refined and rooted in nature.

Outdoor living has officially assumed a new role as the emotional centre of the home. Gardens, terraces, and alfresco lounges were curated with as much intention as the interiors – think lush greenery, sculptural furniture, and ambient lighting, which softens boundaries and fulfils a deep, post-digital longing for nature and connection.

Soft forms dominated with circles, ovals, and egg-like silhouettes evoking a retro 70s vibe. Interiors whispered of the golden era of home entertaining, with sunken lounges, cocktail bars, and plush conversation pits channelling early James Bond glamour.

Natural materials – stone, wood, bark – appeared in sculptural, organic shapes, designed to invite touch and intimacy. Hard surfaces took on a softness, blurring the lines between structure and sculpture. Suede, mirrored surfaces, and plush velvets in earthy tones created spaces that felt cinematic and soulful, while organic patterns were woven into textiles, bringing nature’s forms into the sensory experience.

Architectural lighting took centre stage at EUROLUCE, where chandeliers shimmered, and reflections faded and shifted. Forget light being purely functional – designers used it to shape mood, movement, and emotion within a space.

Milan also embraced leisure at its most luxurious: bespoke billiard tables, poker lounges, and artisanal table tennis sets reflected a new era where play and craftsmanship intertwined. | myplaceincapetown.com

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