Platform about design and technology in the kitchen, home, and bathroom industry
The kitchen industry held its breath for a moment this spring. How would kitchen professionals respond to the challenging economic landscape and the less-than-rosy geopolitical situation? Anyone who thought the design world would hit the brakes was in for a surprise. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 proved that, even in turbulent times, the industry chooses to move forward. For six days, Milan was the bustling hub of international business, positive vibes, and innovation.
No fewer than 316,342 visitors from 167 countries, representing a 4.5% increase. Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 was more than just a hit. In addition, both EuroCucina (25th edition) and FTK, Technology For the Kitchen (10th edition), celebrated milestones this year. The geopolitical situation may be causing some tensions worldwide, but for six days in Milan—both on the exhibition floor and throughout the city—there was little to no sign of it. Also worth noting: the kitchen has definitively taken on the role of the central hub in the home.
The kitchen is clearly no longer just a workspace—at least not the kind of workspace it used to be. While daily meal preparation still takes place in the kitchen, whereas that used to be its sole purpose, the kitchen’s versatility is now clearly evident. The kitchen blends seamlessly with the rest of the interior. In fact, the kitchen largely determines what the rest of the home will look like. Materials were warmer, more tactile, and more natural than perhaps ever before. Sturdy natural stone combined with refined woodwork, invisible, integrated induction zones that transform the countertop into a multifunctional gem—we discovered all this this past spring.
The aesthetic aspect of the kitchen—and, by extension, the entire interior—is, of course, not the only factor to keep in mind. What does the future hold for kitchen technology? That very question was answered at FTK, Technology For The Kitchen.
Can we say that kitchen technology—and perhaps artificial intelligence in particular—has (almost) come of age? No more ‘gadgets for the sake of gadgets,’ but rather smart appliances that offer clear added value for a more sustainable lifestyle and intuitive cooking convenience. Ovens that use AI sensors to determine the perfect cooking time, whisper-quiet, invisible ventilation systems: technology adapts to people, not the other way around.
With 1,900 brands from 32 countries and an international audience, this edition was once again a treat. A palpable wave of renewed confidence swept through the exhibition floor, and visitors took home a (much-needed) shot of optimism. The consensus? The market is challenging, but those who continue to innovate and dare to change will come out on top. The kitchen sector has once again demonstrated that it isn’t looking back. Its gaze is fixed on the future—specifically, April 13–18, 2027, for the 65th edition of Salone del Mobile.Milan, and to the spring of 2028, when EuroCucina and FTK (Technology For The Kitchen) will once again invite the international kitchen industry to Milan.
