Milan Design Week is always the high point of the design calendar for the Roundhouse team, providing an insightful sneak peek at what’s next in interiors – and this year didn’t disappoint. The vibe was upbeat and inventive, with top creatives and leading brands stretching the limits of form, function and material. From rich colour pairings to eco-friendly breakthroughs, sumptuous textures to masterful handcrafting, the ideas on show in Milan are destined to ripple through our homes, and yes, that includes bespoke kitchens. We were especially taken with how designers are blending bold palettes and sustainable details to make spaces feel both personal and future-facing. Here’s just a few of the trend highlights that have captured our imagination, and how they might inspire your next kitchen project.

Fluid geometry

One of the most striking visual threads throughout Salone del Mobile and the surrounding design districts was the emphasis on soft, rounded forms. Faye Toogood’s Solar sofa for Tacchini was a great example; its joyful sculptural curves and pillowy softness making you feel as though you’re sinking into a cloud. Curves are not a new concept in the home perhaps, but it’s clear the interiors industry’s obsession with softer shapes, arches, lozenges and pill-like silhouettes is set to remain front-and-centre for at least another year, making this a strong trend to embrace in the kitchen. Think curved islands with gentle fluting, arched doorways and organically sculpted hardware that makes opening cabinets a dream. Softening rigid lines with curved cabinetry is a fail-safe way to bring both elegance and warmth to your space.

Texture, texture, texture

Everywhere you turned, surfaces were practically begging to be touched – inviting you to feel the joy with every sense. Patricia Urquiola’s new Brezal collection for Andreu World made from woven polypropylene rope was impossible to walk past without reaching for a feel. In fact, we got the strong impression that feel is almost as important as looks when it came to material choices, with an abundance of chiselled stones, sawn timbers and manmade composites all sporting expressive, textured finishes. Glossy, mirrored finishes took a back seat to earthy, imperfect textures, celebrating the raw beauty of natural materials. This trend is all about embracing those little quirks, subtle bumps, grooves and fissures – that make each piece utterly unique, without compromising on functionality. To work it in the kitchen,consider brushed metals, leathered stone worktops, sawn timbers or raised grains, and rustic handmade tiles. Even cabinetry finishes can be more tactile in soft-matt lacquers that call to be stroked but don’t show fingerprints.

Earthy warmth

While colour is always going to be deeply personal in our homes, especially in the heart of the kitchen, one of the best reasons for heading out to Milan during design week is to check the pulse for emerging colour trends. This year there was a clear gravitational pull towards grounded, nature-inspired hues with warm, earthy undertones – we’re talking terracotta, ochre and that unmistakable 1970s-style brown. Take Matteo Thun’s SensiTerre tile collection for Florim as your inspiration. In a kitchen setting, this opens the door to warmth without overwhelming – perhaps with a splash of copper-finished wall cabinets, an island in burnished bronze or rustic terracotta flooring. To keep things fresh and balance out the warmth, layer in pale wood finishes, woven textiles, and crisp worktops in quartzite or marble.

Integral eco-credentials

Sustainability wasn’t a side note this year – it was woven into virtually every product unveiling, showroom event and design talk. At Roundhouse, we love how environmental responsibility now leads the conversation, and we’re constantly scouting for manufacturers who take their carbon footprint seriously. Take Yves Béhar’s Volta washbasin for Laufen. It’s crafted in the world’s first fully electric, zero-emissions tunnel kiln powered by solar energy, and its form is specifically designed to reduce water waste. We’re also inspired by furniture – like ours – that’s built to last, and by brands focused on repair and repurposing rather than sending items to landfill. In kitchen design, this shift means clients increasingly ask where materials come from, how they’re produced and what environmental cost they carry. As bespoke makers with a transparent sourcing and manufacturing process, Roundhouse is always prepared to give them the full story.

Glass moments

Matt and natural textures may have dominated overall, but there were plentiful pockets of glass action shimmering through. Matteo Zorzenoni Striche tables for Miniforms, made entirely from Murano glass, showed how glass elements can bring a glossy pop to any space. And if you missed the buzz around Martin Gallo’s Splash glass lighting installation for Lasvit, you should absolutely check it out here. Rather than feeling cold or utilitarian, these glass accents were jewel-like and full of character, injecting energy and sparkle even into the most minimalist exhibition stands. In the kitchen, this trend may well translate in the return of glass-fronted cabinets, for both storage and display, with fluted or reeded finishes and perhaps even some coloured glass on the horizon. Think of it as a contemporary take on the classic glazed dresser.

From sculptural forms to sustainable innovations, Milan Design Week 2025 delivered plenty of fresh design inspiration for our team in the months ahead. For more inspiring ideas on planning your ideal kitchen design, download our latest brochure.