Sofas at Salone del Mobile 2025: soft shapes, reinterpreted classics and bold materials

Salone del Mobile Milano 2025 transformed, as always, the Rho exhibition complex into a paradise for interior design enthusiasts. Scattered across the many pavilions, furniture manufacturers from around the world brought to the forefront their visions of how our homes will look in the near future.

The sofas presented this year have gone beyond mere functionality - they are conceived as interior micro-architectures, where the rigor of form meets sensory comfort. Forms They emphasize increasingly generous volumes, rounded geometries with backrests that embrace you, pivoting or modular elements, all designed for fluid and adaptable configurations. Materials ranges from hammered leather, bouclé, raw linen and subtly textured velvets, while the palette chromatic They range from sophisticated neutrals (beige, stone gray, sage green) to bolder accents like burnt orange, forest green or teal blue.

Sofas, these centerpieces of any living space, perhaps best reflect the changes in our lifestyles. Three directions emerged clearly at this year's edition and are worth keeping an eye on, especially if you work with home & living products.

Organic shapes are no longer just on trend, they're the name of the game

Who's in the mood for sharp corners in 2025? Apparently nobody. In the digital age we live in, there seems to be a growing need to get back to nature and its gentle shapes. This is clearly reflected in the design of the sofas on show at Salone, which went for fluidity, rounded volumes and a look that seems straight out of a "back to nature" inspirational collage.

A perfect example is the Globe from DESIGNWERK (Pavilion 3). Everything is round, including the name. It's meant to make an impact, but without scream. Comfortable, versatile and... technically complicated. The manufacturer describes this sofa as a "an element that will inevitably become a contemporary focal point in any living room."

"The Globe blends harmoniously into different decor styles and impresses with its amazing comfort"explains the brand.

Interestingly, this organic shape comes with special technical challenges. For example, because of the Globe's unusual shape, certain types of textiles (Bellezza, Cheyenne, Key West, Mirabella, Shine) are not suitable for processing, as the appearance of the stitching would change. It's a reminder that design is not just about beautiful shapes, it's also about how you produce them efficiently.

The Globe sofa's internal structure is built on a beech wood frame with a NOSAG steel NOSAG spring system for support, and the upholstery combines CFC-free foams of different densities for optimal comfort. One detail to note is the FSC® certification of the product, which means that the wood used comes from sustainably managed forests.

Traditional materials get an upgrade - tactile, visual and conceptual

The second striking trend is the way in which designers manage to combine traditional materials with innovative elements, creating pieces that feel simultaneously familiar and surprising. We're talking about combinations of materials that wouldn't have been a good fit a few years ago. But now, deliberate contrasts seem to be the new playground.

Take the Egon sofa from ARCAHORN (Pavilion 5). This model is distinguished by an unusual combination of materials: a frame upholstered in hammered Aida black Onyx hammered leather, black lacquered wooden arms decorated with natural horn inserts and a side table that continues the same aesthetic theme.

"The dialog between the different materials offers pleasant and at the same time contrasting tactile and visual sensations that make Egon a new classic"explains the manufacturer.

What makes this model truly special is the attention to detail and the combination of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. The natural horn inlays, with their specific processing and fascinating shades, give the sofa an added value that "transcends time and patterns". It is an approach that shows that natural materials can be reinterpreted in a modern context without losing their authenticity.

Along the same lines, at WAYNE ENTERPRISES (Hall 13), we find the WE-036 Sofa which presents a different kind of dialog between materials: a mix between the softness of bouclé and a cognac-colored leather shell. This combination of textures creates a rich tactile experience and a strong visual contrast.

Reinterpreting classics for the modern home

The third major trend observed at Salone del Mobile 2025 is the reinterpretation of classic styles to meet contemporary needs and aesthetics. When you have a design that worked decades ago, why not bring it back to the present, but with a few thoughtful tweaks?

CALIA ITALY (Pavilion 15) did this with the model Choco Magic, a re-edition of the Magic model created by Liborio V. Calia in 1984. The new model retains the elements that made the original such a success - the eye-catching 70s-inspired design and excellent comfort - but gets fresh details. "Choco Magic is distinguished by its elegant arm that reaches all the way to the floor"explains the manufacturer. "To ensure maximum comfort, the soft, soap-shaped seat cushions sit on a slightly sloping base." An interesting detail is the headrest, which can be adjusted by hand with a simple movement without the use of metal mechanisms.

SALDA ARREDAMENTI (Pavilion 13) took the idea even further back in time, reinterpreting the sofa Louis XV Litter bin. Model 1840 with three seats, "with hand carvings, upholstered with a single seat cushion", shows how classic French style can be adapted for contemporary homes without losing its characteristic elegance.

Same model Milo from the collection Next-Zanaboni Edizioni from ZANABONI (Pavilion 13), comes with a distinctive modern detail, with the addition of a metal element that "wraps the arm in a sinuous curve around the side"to create an unexpected contrast.

What do these trends tell us about the future of furniture?

Looking at these three major directions in sofa design, we can see a broader shift in our approach to living spaces. Organic shapes suggest our desire to create more welcoming and natural environments. Bold material combinations reflect an increased appreciation for tactility and sensory experiences in an increasingly digital world. And our reinterpretation of the classics, sometimes subtly, sometimes quite boldly, shows that while we strive for innovation, we continue to cherish the traditions and craftsmanship that have defined design throughout the ages.

For wood enthusiasts, it is heartening to see how this natural material continues to play an important role, either in the hidden structures of modern pieces or as visible details that add warmth and authenticity to contemporary designs. The FSC® certification of DESIGNWERK sofas also demonstrates a growing concern for sustainability and responsible management of forest resources.

Salone del Mobile Milano 2025 offers a good indication that today's public is looking for smart design, reinterpretations of what works, good materials, innovation and a dash of excitement - whether it comes from a beautiful curvature or an unexpected texture.