Salone del Mobile, Beyond the Showcase: Inclusive Design for a Life at Rest
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Milan Design Week is no longer only a showcase or marketplace. It has a chance—and a responsibility—to speak a more universal language of design: one that includes people, places, and everyday life, not just the city centre or the front row.
Recent initiatives such as “Lost in Chiaravalle” and the Quartiere Adriano residency (reported by Artribune) show another Milan: designers working with communities outside the spotlight, studying how creativity can serve belonging, access, and dignity. It’s a reminder that design is not only about objects, but about connections.
From Spectacle to Shelter
If Salone del Mobile exists to advance design culture, then the home, where we recover, breathe, and sleep, should be its most honest stage. What does inclusive design look like in the bedroom?
- Materials that care for the body. Natural fibres (wool, linen, silk, horsehair, cotton) breathe, regulate temperature, and feel kind to skin.
- Longevity as inclusivity. Objects that last reduce waste and cost over time; repairable layers and timeless forms include the future within today’s choice.
- Quiet luxury. Comfort without noise: proportion, touch, and calm colours that support attention and rest, not distraction.
- Local craft, global welcome. Credit the people and places behind the product; invite more voices into the process—from fabric mills to upholstery ateliers.
This is the culture we believe the Salone can champion: not just presenting design, but building communities through it—starting from the room where culture begins each day: the bedroom.
A Practical Guide: Bring Inclusive Design into the Bedroom
- Choose breathable fibres. Linen sheets in warm months; wool-rich layers for winter.
- Prioritise repairability. Mattresses and toppers with serviceable, replaceable parts extend life and reduce waste.
- Respect light and sound. Thick curtains, felt or wool panels, and soft edges reduce noise and glare for deeper rest.
- Design for access. Comfortable bed height, clear pathways, easy-grip trims; elegance can be intuitive.
- Tell the story. Share the origin of your materials and makers—knowing who made your bed is part of sleeping well.
Why It Matters to Midsummer Milano
We build sleep architecture with the same values seen in Milan’s most thoughtful projects: natural materials, handwork, and forms that outlive trends. In our view, Milan Design Week reaches its highest purpose when it helps people live—and rest—better every day.
- Explore our craft: Bed Systems
- Learn about materials: Mattresses
- See design meet culture: Download the Dream
FAQ
What is inclusive design in the home?
Design that welcomes more people—different ages, bodies, and needs—through intuitive details, breathable materials, and durable construction.
How does inclusive design improve sleep?
By controlling temperature, touch, light and sound; using natural fibres; and removing obstacles or irritants that disrupt rest.
Is quiet luxury compatible with inclusivity?
Yes. Quiet luxury values proportion, comfort and longevity—principles that naturally align with inclusive design and responsible materials.
