What Milan Design Week 2025 Taught Me About Home Design (and How to Make It Your Own)
- Gudrun Enger
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
Every April, Milan turns into a playground for design lovers for Milan Design Week, and this year I finally got to experience it for myself. It was overwhelming, exhilarating, exciting, and so much fun. Everywhere I turned there was something new to look at. For a visual learner like me, it was a lot to absorb, but in the best possible way.
Imagine winding through city streets alive with creativity, ducking into showrooms that felt like theater sets, and hearing conversations in ten different languages about where design is headed.
I came home with several tote bags full of product materials and a phone camera full of images, but more importantly with a handful of ideas worth sharing. These are ideas with lasting appeal that, when adapted to your style, can bring a personal and enduring touch to your home.
1. Design as Experience The most memorable spaces this year did not just look pretty. They told a story. Cassina’s “Staging Modernity” felt like a live performance, and Kelly Wearstler’s spinning rug installation turned a textile into sculpture.
In your home: Pick one small space, maybe a powder room, an entryway, or your breakfast nook, and think about it as an experience, not just a room. How should it feel when someone walks in? Play with texture, light, and detail until it gives you that little spark.
2. Craft in Unexpected Places There was a real love for craftsmanship, from woven brass to clay-based textiles to embroidered wood. These touches made even everyday objects feel special.
In your home: Look for one handcrafted element in an unexpected spot, such as cabinet hardware, a console table, or a backsplash tile detail. Tiny, tactile moments can change the whole vibe of a room.
3. Curves Everywhere Edges were softened everywhere I turned. Arched doorways, rounded furniture, and curved countertops. The effect was cozy, human, and inviting.
In your home: You do not have to commit to a big change. Try an arched mirror in the bath, a round coffee table, or a soft-edge kitchen island.
4. Lighting as Art Lighting this year was not just functional. It was emotional. Sculptural pendants, statement sconces, and chandeliers you could stare at all day. We spent one full day looking at lighting vendors!
In your home: Swap a “meh” fixture for something you love even when it is turned off. Think of it as jewelry for your home. It does not have to be big, just beautiful.
5. Quiet Simplicity Among the drama, some of the most moving displays were stripped back and serene. Hermès’ space was all about simple, beautifully made objects with meaning.
In your home: Give one special piece room to shine, such as a ceramic vase from a trip, a chair with a history, or a framed textile. Let it breathe.
The Big Takeaway Milan reinforced something I always tell clients: good design is not about having more; it is about having what matters. Whether it is a rug that moves with you, a beautifully made cabinet pull, or the perfect curve in a countertop, the choices we make shape the way we feel in our homes.
If one of these ideas has your wheels turning, let’s talk about how to make it part of your story. Whether it is a single space or a whole-home refresh, we can translate these timeless ideas into something that feels authentically you.
