Must-attend trade fairs
To keep up with the latest news and trends, here are the must-attend events of the first months of 2025. These fairs are a must for enthusiasts and professionals in the decoration, furniture, hospitality, and electronics sectors. The journey begins with CES in Las Vegas (January 9-12), a must for electronics enthusiasts. While Imm Cologne is taking a break, Germany takes center stage with Heimtextil in Frankfurt (January 14-17) for textile design and Maison&Objet (January 16-20) in Paris. Closing the month is Boot in Düsseldorf (January 18-26). February features the Madrid Design Festival (February 6 – March 15). In March, head to Frankfurt for ISH (March 17-20), focusing on heating and climate control technologies. In April, Milan hosts the Salone del Mobile (April 8-13) featuring Euroluce. In spring, head to the USA: Coverings in Orlando (April 29 – May 2) and HD Expo in Las Vegas (May 6-8). The first semester concludes with ICFF in New York (May 18-20).
Looking Eastward
The year 2024 has seen major geopolitical upheavals, surpassing even the tumult of 2023. Asia is increasingly becoming a pivotal player in international affairs, with its growing economic, technological, and cultural influence extending into the design world. Economically, the Eastern continent acts as a global engine, with rapidly expanding economies like China and India. These countries, fueled by vast populations, drive significant domestic consumption and dominate global trade through extensive supply chains. A clear sign of this eastward shift is the rising use of the acronym SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) instead of MENA (Middle East and North Africa), terminological change that highlights a growing cultural interconnectedness and acknowledges a shared regional identity.
Trends on the horizon
Mocha Mousse, but not only. Leading interior design trends is the Pantone 2025 color, with its warm and intense shades inspired by cocoa, coffee, and chocolate. But professionals and research unveil many others that furnishings and interiors will be inspired by in the next 12 months. This enveloping, soft hue aligns with major 2025 trends that will see the return of maximalism, extreme comfort, and “bold” shapes. It looks to the past, echoes of the 1960s and 1970s, but with an all-modern reinterpretation. The home moves beyond clean, minimalist forms to embrace more decorative and intense concepts. And so even moiré regains its relevance, with its timeless appeal and distinct sensory appeal. Pictured: set up at Design Miami Paris 2024.
Second Life
Turning plastic waste into valuable materials is nothing new. What is happening more and more is that cutting-edge technologies are involved in this virtuous recycling process – less material in landfills, less virgin material extracted from the planet. Artificial intelligence, for example, is revolutionizing the industry by enabling greater efficiency in the infrastructure that sorts materials. This is a process that promises very interesting developments in the near future: high quality materials are already being extracted from waste, and in the future this will become easier and much more widespread. Not only that, but thanks to platforms like the Dutch Precious Plastic, these initiatives are becoming an ever-evolving global network. Pictured: Muara stool by Sungai Design, in panels made from fragments of plastic bags collected from Bali’s rivers, separated by color and bound with resins.
AI: pushing the boundaries of innovation
Artificial intelligence is transforming technology in 2025, with tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion reshaping the creative industry by producing high-quality images from text prompts. These tools have become essential for designers and artists. However, they also pose significant challenges, such as copyright issues, as algorithms often rely on data sets that might infringe on original works, and the authenticity of generated images. There’s a risk of misinformation and algorithmic biases that reinforce stereotypes. Addressing these ethical and legal concerns is crucial to harnessing AI responsibly and sustainably while protecting individuals’ rights.
A moving landscape
Times and ways of communicating design are changing: Europe is a place where new formulas are experimented and compared with traditional ones. Historical dates (Milan, Cologne, Paris) are being joined by new events that bring alternative formulas to the fore, first and foremost that of the diffuse event that affects an entire city (see Copenhagen). What impact will this evolution have on the sector? We will soon see: evolution moves at a fast pace.
Must-see exhibitions
The 2025 arts calendar is brimming with exciting events for design and art lovers globally. In New York, MoMA presents “Pirouette: Turning Points in Design” (Jan 26–Oct 18), featuring innovative objects that highlight material and conceptual revolutions. Venice hosts the 19th International Architecture Exhibition curated by Carlo Ratti (May 10–Nov 23), offering a forward-looking architectural dialogue. Berlin’s 13th Biennale for Contemporary Art (June 14–Sep 14), under Zasha Colah, promises visionary global narratives. While, London’s Design Museum showcases “More than Human” (July 11–Oct 5), investigating how design transcends human needs to benefit the planet.
