Amthal Karim – Head of Design at Furniture And Choice – shares her monthly overview of on-trend styles and interior looks currently inspiring furniture buyers.
This month, we explore emerging concepts showcased at Milan Design Week 2026 and considering what trends are likely to influence furniture shapes, colour palettes, and style.
We start with red – or rather rosso. Emerging as one of the defining colours at Milan it took centre stage across many shows. The capacity for this hue to play at the high-end of furniture design was apparent in the ultra-refined Jaipur Red, best displayed in Cesar Kitchen’s Fenix Jaipur. And also, the intense Cherry of the genuinely stunning Lema Traverso table, which really needs to be Googled to be appreciated. As do the Milanese gallery Nilufar’s tone-on-tone installations pairing layered reds with dark backdrops and purple accents to create intense drama. Elsewhere, deep ruby hues appeared in lacquered furniture, and wine reds featured in upholstery and décor. After populating residential interiors, red is now percolating into commercial furniture design, signalling a positive move towards bolder, more expressive spaces.
Alongside exceptional sofa design, the evolution of the dining space also proved compelling. The contemporary take on dining is not just about practicality. As visual impact has become increasingly important, furniture has become art, which is where Milan Design Week comes into its own – form always matches, and sometimes exceeds, function. The attraction of a creative social centrepiece was displayed in the tactile Tobie dining table by Caracole with its polished, sculptural sophistication, and more red.
Sculptural forms continued – with soft curves and seamless joins – as Milan celebrated the beauty of wood including light colours and raw finishes. If you have a giant bedroom (and bank balance) the expansive Lanai bed by Yabu Pushelberg combines wooden headboards with upholstered fabric panels. And seating. And storage. Reflecting an increasingly popular interplay between wood and textiles, this huge but inviting take on bedroom furniture has a calm, warm aesthetic that works across so many interior styles and makes a wood comeback most welcome.
Brand collaborations took centre stage this year – fashion and furniture meeting to redefine contemporary sofas with sculptural forms (again) and tailored silhouettes. H&M Home debuted a collection with American designer Kelly Wearstler, while Calligaris partnered with high-end fashion label Twinset on the upholstered Glen Soft chair. These new collections reflect a shift towards seating that invites relaxation, but expects attention – it’s not enough to lounge, you have to be seen to lounge.
Finally, multi-purpose utility is still gaining popularity. Italian brand Arclinea known for cutting-edge kitchen design exhibited the Kora – a curved travertine island with an anchored dining table extension. Visually refined yet highly practical, designs such as these reflect a continued move towards furniture as a unified system rather than standalone. Highly tactile and crafted for living, it’s an approach that will continue to inspire the next generation of contemporary interior designers.
