Salone del Mobile 2025 closes with a record number of international attendees (68%) and consolidates its visitor count at 302,548 – a figure in line with the 2023 edition, the last to host the Euroluce biennale. The Milanese fair, with its surrounding events and initiatives that quite literally take over the city, confirms its role as an international crossroads. “The place to be” not only for those who design or produce furniture, but also for those expressing luxury in other sectors – from fashion and food & wine, to wellness and jewellery. Interior design thus proves to be a fertile, dynamic and stimulating ground worth investing in.
Exhibitors’ expectations
“This is the most important fair in the sector. This year, we received an award for our thirty years of presence as exhibitors at the Salone del Mobile. We’re very pleased – if the market is there, so are we”, says David Oliveri (pictured below), chairman of Formitalia, speaking from the booth. Indeed, the satisfaction among exhibitors (2,103 companies from 37 countries) is tangible and reflected in a 94% “intention to return” rate, according to a survey conducted by the organisers. Visitor satisfaction is also high, with an 88% approval rating.
International attendance
In terms of country rankings, the 2025 edition once again sees China in the top spot, albeit with a slight decline compared to 2023, and a more marked drop versus 2024. European participation remains consistent: after Germany in second place, Spain (5,423 professionals; exports +4.1%) and Poland (5,325; exports +9.1%) show strong growth. Also ranking highly are Brazil, Russia, France, the United States, India, and Switzerland. Among the emerging markets, even following the announcement of tariffs, the United Arab Emirates stand out – doubling their attendance in 2025 (1,801 professionals) – as does Saudi Arabia, with which Salone signed a first Memorandum in January to develop new design projects.
The role of design
“In today’s world, things feel disconnected, fragmented. It seems as if globalisation has come to an end. What we can do as designers and creatives is connect people through beautiful things”, says Klaus Busse (pictured above), head of Stellantis Design Studio. “We’re here to celebrate design – through cars, furniture, fashion. We can influence and inspire one another”. Boundaries between sectors are blurring, giving rise to a concept of luxury as lifestyle. “Design is not just what you see – the so-called product. What we want to create is the entire mood”, adds Hugo Nightingale, Global Creative Director at Stellantis Design Studio. “Our role as designers is to offer people the opportunity to experience something new”.
Photo: Salone del Mobile
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