Spring is a big time of year for interior designers. While High Point Market is a must on the domestic front, Milan Design Week is another top pick for those curious about what’s spicing up the design world on an international level. The celebration, which took place April 7-13 across the city of Milan, Italy, shone a light on all things home and design, from eye-catching furniture and statement lighting to innovative product launches and artistic installations.
Milan Design Week’s signature event, the Salone del Mobile, is the primary design fair and a must for anyone visiting the city during the spring to-do. Elsewhere throughout the city, Fuorisalone events tie into the main occasion and could include exhibitions, showroom openings, and launch parties.
Couldn’t make the trip to Italy in April? No worries. We connected with Alana Irwin and Cami Luppino of Greenwich-based lulu HOME to learn more about what they loved at Milan Design Week so you can incorporate the trends into your Westchester home.
Trend 1: Sensual Minimalism
Yes, maximalism had a quick moment there, but minimalism is back, albeit in a fresh way, in the home design scene.
“This year in Milan, it was all about sensual minimalism,” notes Alana Irwin, lead designer for lulu HOME. “There were a lot of sculptural curves, tactile materials (especially leather), and a color palette that whispers instead of shouts. There was very little pattern found anywhere.”
How to incorporate it at home: As the trends at Milan Design Week prove, simple doesn’t have to mean boring. If taking the minimalist route at home, consider pieces that incorporate curved elements and smooth materials. If something feels cluttered or too busy, it probably is. For wallpapers and paints, neutrals are the way to go over powerful patterns.
Trend 2: Colored Lighting
The right lighting is an often underrated, yet essential component of home design that can make or break a room’s aesthetic. Yet while the choice between warm or cool bulbs and the incorporation of natural light into a space will also be key, the lulu HOME team noticed another bright idea while at Milan Design Week.
“One of the most exciting shifts we noticed in Milan was the rise of colored lighting in residential design,” Irwin shares, adding, “think sculptural fixtures casting soft washes of saturated color. We saw deep blues, burnt oranges, and warm greens all adding both atmosphere and artistry. It’s no longer just about illumination, but about how lighting can shape emotion in a space.”
How to incorporate it at home: Mood lighting gets new meaning thanks to this design trend. At home, consider not just how you want a room to look, but how you want it to feel. From there, think about colors that evoke those feelings. Perhaps a serene, spa-like corner deserves a soft blue or a warm tan to create a Zen-like atmosphere. Similarly, a cozy book nook could merit a burnt orange. To get the look, colored bulbs or tinted shades and light covers can be equally effective depending on the color intensity you choose.
