The biggest furniture fair of the year, Salone del Mobile, culminated with much vigor, successfully showcasing products from nearly 2,000 exhibitors, all set to revolutionize homes. The 62nd edition of the event featured five key attractions: Salone Satellite, EuroCucina, International Bathroom Exhibition, Workplace 3.0, and International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition. While all eyes, like always, were on the trendsetting brands from the furniture industry, the spotlight of Salone 2024 was captured by the kitchen and bathroom trends that would shape the future of our homes.
The much-anticipated Biennial EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition, in their comeback appearance, won hearts with futuristic products for more relaxed and upgraded home interiors. With technological advancements, our homes are changing for the better, and Salone 2024 determined that we get the best for the two most important spaces, the kitchen and the bathroom.
The EuroCucina brought forth some of the most interesting kitchens and kitchen accessories in the Rho exhibition where numerous outdoor kitchen setups, versatile built-in appliances, modular kitchen islands, unique cabinets, and storage options for optimizing space and functionality were seen. Alongside, the industrial design ushering in a new kitchen and concepts prioritizing cooking spaces, their functionality and aesthetics were exhibited.
To make the most of the outdoors, plans to enhance al-fresco cooking experiences with groundbreaking and versatile cooking stations were unveiled. Italian firm Poliform created its first outdoor kitchen in collaboration with CAP, comprising a series of modules hooked on beams running lengthwise to appear as if in suspension.
Dubbed the Land, this modular outdoor kitchen setup is designed in wall and freestanding versions to better suit various settings. Made of durable materials including aluminum, Inalco MDi, and steel, the kitchen is gas or battery-powered and features a sink, prep area, barbeque, trolleys, accessory trays, spice containers, and storage drawers.
Treading the same line is the K-Garden designed by Giuseppe Bavuso for Ernestomeda. Projected into the future, the K-Garden was previewed at the event this year. Merging innovative ideas and distinctive styles that harmonize design, technology, and sustainability into one; the K-Garden – an evolution of the company’s K-Lab project – is designed to create entertaining outdoor space. It comprises an assortment of freestanding elements that are differently made for meal prep, cooking, and eating in the al-fresco setting. These are well-equipped with plates, grills, barbeques, and everything required with outdoor luncheons and dinners to be used as standalone units, side by side, or combined to create islands.
While outdoor kitchens were indeed a headliner of the show, the indoor kitchen didn’t shy away from the competition. Proxima by Antonio Citterio for Italian firm Arclinea is a hyper-equipped and professional kitchen. Proxima is designed in two versions; a larger one suitable for big American appliances and a smaller European fit. With functionality and aesthetics in mind, the kitchen includes a large stainless steel island with professional tools on both sides. It features two flush-mounted washbasins, a sliding grid, a stove-oven station, a perimeter handle, and multiple storage options. Honestly, this is the best kitchen setup I have seen in a long time and I can attest that it’ll be a favorite among cooks.
Novanta by Piero Lissoni for Boffi and Prime by Molteni&C are also created to elevate indoor cooking. The Novanta kitchen system features a recessed base that gives it a floating appearance. It brings up an architectural aspect with horizontal elements and perpendicular storage, just like a cityscape. The Prime, on the other hand, is marked by recessed openings with Vionaro drawers in the most sophisticated manner and features Dine snack table and three-dimensional lacquered effect doors. Both the kitchen systems are designed for large spaces and would enhance the experience and joy of cooking.
Italian furniture company Modulnova designed Vertical, Bilico, and Glass storage doors for various kitchen needs such as groove systems, a storage door, or transparent glass openings for display solutions. Another addition to EuroCucina was the Mantle undercounter convertible refrigerator by Spanish multi-disciplinary designer Patricia Urquiola for Signature Kitchen Suite. The Mantle is a freestanding modular cabinet covered in Cimento tiles in various colors to provide a versatile and multifunctional piece of furniture usable anywhere in the house.
Aside from stunning kitchen systems aimed at changing one of the most important rooms in any home, the 2024 International Bathroom Exhibition also brought thought-provoking fixtures to enhance relaxation in the bathroom through furnishing, showers, faucets, toilets, or bathtubs. This year, numerous brands showcased their take on bathroom furniture, accessories, shower cubicles, sanitaryware, radiators, taps, and bathtubs, each capable of transforming the once-neglected space.
The bathrooms are evolving and Salone del Mobile aids that evolution by bringing forth environmentally-conscious designs with advanced technology to create a customized and relaxed wellbeing. With products focused on water-saving features, recyclable and circular materials, and invisible technology, the event has transformed into a higher form.
This year, we saw stainless steel taps in the Sablier collection by Monica Armani for Zucchetti aimed at enhancing the tactile sensation with a direct reference to river stones. The collection is designed to bring back organic nature to the bath space. The stainless steel Slide taps by Davide Vercelli for the Italian brand Fima Carlo Frattini also represented the green philosophy. However, the design stuns us with a tap that features a knob sliding on an oblique axis. The water flow can be adjusted by pressing the knob downward or upward.
The Matter installation designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta for Laufen displays the beauty and textures of ceramics paired with metal fittings. Laufen also displayed the Meda bathroom set collection by the Swiss designer Peter Wirz of Studio Vetica. Not only that, the Swiss brand revisited the classic Ilbagnoalessi collection, originally designed by Stefano Giovannoni in 2002, for Salone 2024, that flaunts soft, fluid shapes to make a bathroom truly classic.
Walking the same path is the Roman firm Scarabeo Ceramiche putting color in the center with new glossy and matte finishes adorning its repertoire for the big event. The color palette looks especially exquisite in the Cross Sink collection.
Meanwhile, Kohler unveiled its limited-edition Formation 02 smart toilet, designed by Samuel Ross of industrial design studio SR_A. This smart toilet aims at breaking the monotony of conventional bathroom fixtures and modernizing the act of taking a dump. The large, sharp-edged, and bright orange toilet will offer customizable bidet cleansing, motion-activated opening/closing lid, and a heated seat.
The upgraded bathroom fixtures with different materials and colors integrated with advanced technology presented at Salone 2024 will make the bathroom a truly relaxing space.
The biennial Salone events – EuroCucina and International Bathroom Exhibition – bring on an evolution in kitchen and bath accessories promising better quality materials and technologies for our homes. Not only do these propose to make our space comfortable but help promote a circular economy and bring us closer to nature through tactile sensations.
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