Reflections from Milan: What the 2025 Salone del Mobile Taught Me About the Future of Furniture

I just got back from the 2025 Milan International Furniture Fair (Salone del Mobile), and let me tell you—my feet are sore, my head is full of ideas, and my phone has about 700 photos of chairs. Yes, chairs. Dining chairs, to be precise. Because while trends come and go, the dining room is where design, culture, and commerce all pull up a seat.

Design in 2025: Simplicity with Soul

This year, the design language was quiet. Not boring—subtle. Think soft edges, honest materials, and muted colors that make a statement without shouting. Scandinavian minimalism is still alive, but it’s evolved. Now, it’s layered with warmth—curves in the backrests, raw wood with real grain, boucle fabrics you want to run your hands over.

You know what stood out? Chairs that hug you. Not literally, of course. But the ones with just the right tilt in the backrest, the right balance of firmness and comfort. Buyers were all over these. People don’t want dining chairs anymore—they want dining experiences. If a chair doesn’t invite you to linger, it’s out.

Material Talk: Sustainability Is No Longer a Trend—It’s a Standard

Honestly, if you’re not talking eco-consciousness, you’re not getting a second look.

Every serious booth had something to say about:

Recyclable materials
Sustainable wood sourcing
Less plastic, more paper-based packaging
And modular components for easier replacement instead of waste

And I felt a bit proud walking around. Why? Because at ASKT, we've already swapped out foam-heavy packaging for honeycomb paper protection. It’s not glamorous, but buyers notice. They asked about it. They took photos. And that tells me we’re in the right lane.

Comfort + Durability = The Winning Formula

One Italian manufacturer had a stunning velvet chair that drew everyone in—but guess what? It failed the stress test. Literally. The legs wobbled after just a couple of tries. I overheard one Dutch buyer mutter, "Looks like fashion week, but I’m here to stock a store, not a runway."

That hit home.

We’ve invested over $20,000 in 12 professional-level testing machines at ASKT. Not because it’s flashy, but because durability sells. Especially in Europe. Our German and Dutch partners are meticulous—some even bring their own testing kits. Chairs that don’t hold up? They don’t get bought.

Buyers’ Mood: Practical, Picky, and Post-Pandemic Savvy

What I noticed most was how decisive buyers have become. Less browsing, more asking the right questions:

How fast can you deliver?
Can I customize the base or fabric?
Can you handle Amazon drop shipping logistics?

Everyone’s trying to squeeze more value from fewer SKUs. That’s why multi-use furniture—like dining chairs that work for home offices or cafes—drew so much interest.

I had several great conversations about MOQ flexibility and mixed container orders, especially with partners from the Netherlands and Slovenia. If your factory can’t adapt, you're not even in the room.

My Key Takeaways

If you’re a furniture buyer or sourcing lead, here’s what I’d put on your radar after Milan 2025:

Soft-modern designs are leading the charge: earthy colors, curved backs, tactile fabrics.
Sustainability is now expected—not applauded.
Customization (especially fabric + frame combinations) is a dealbreaker.
Durability and certification (like ISO9001) are being asked for first, not last.
Clear communication and after-sales service matter more than ever. No one wants guesswork.

One Last Thought...

Salone del Mobile isn’t just a fair—it’s a thermometer for our industry. And this year, it told me that the future of furniture is deeply human. It’s about how we gather, sit, eat, talk, and connect.

And honestly, that’s what I’ve always loved about dining chairs. They’re not just furniture. They’re silent hosts to a thousand conversations.

If you want to chat more about what I saw in Milan, or you're rethinking your sourcing strategy, just drop me a message. I’m Sunbin Qi, CEO of ASKT, and I’m always here to talk chairs—or coffee.