Two sets of modern, blocky cabinets in blue and brown, with cylindrical legs and silver knobs, are displayed on a light, curved platform against cream-colored curtains.

May 7, 2026

Words: Mairi Beautyman

9 Fearless Uses Of Color Seen At Milan Design Week 2026

The trend for bold, expressive color showed no sign of slowing at Milan Design Week 2026. We noticed it moved far beyond surface treatment, emerging instead as a structural and conceptual force. Whether it’s tonal layering of saturated hues or material contrast to shape atmosphere and define form, color always provokes emotion. From vivid consoles to a statement-worthy toilet, compositional lighting and more, these nine products demonstrate how chromatic thinking is redefining contemporary design, one vivid gesture at a time. f15a2f

Don’t miss all our 2026 Milan Design Week highlights, from SaloneSatellite to Alcova and more installations. 

Color Shines In These Innovative Product Picks From Milan Design Week

Concerto by Marrimor

A modern sideboard with vertical color blocks in red, green, white, beige, gold, blue, and pink, positioned against a plain, textured wall and tiled floor.
Photography by Nathalie Krag.
Close-up of a modern cabinet featuring beige, blue, and pink panels with geometric handles and a minimalist design.
Photography by Nathalie Krag.

Glossy ceramic, an unconventional material for a console, is paired with leather, metal, and textile elements for Concerto by design studio Marrimor, included in the In Good Company collection. The material juxtaposition is heightened by the atmospheric layering of several different contrasting hues.

Altesse Smart Toilet by Trone

A small green bathroom with circular holes on the walls and a blue toilet centered under blue circular windows on the back wall.
Photography courtesy of Trone.
A modern bathroom with red and white walls, a pink toilet, matching pink sink, and countertop, featuring minimalist fixtures and a window letting in natural light.
Photography courtesy of Trone.

In a category long dominated by neutral white, the Altesse Smart Toilet by bathroom manufacturer Trone offers five distinct finishes that pop, in a body presented by stacked spheres and a distinctive angled lid. Integrated lighting, a tucked-away remote, front and rear wash and dry functions, two user profiles for customized settings, and self-cleaning before and after each are the clever inner workings behind the pretty face.

Non Random by Lodes

Four glass pendant lights in various sizes and colors hang from the ceiling of a minimalist room with neutral-toned walls and an open skylight above.
Photography courtesy of Lodes.
A minimalist dining room with a rectangular stone table, four rattan chairs, two spherical pendant lights, and large windows letting in natural light.
Photography courtesy of Lodes.
Modern lounge with olive green sofas, a round coffee table, and a cluster of glass pendant lights hanging from the ceiling. Neutral tones and minimalist design elements are featured.
Photography courtesy of Lodes.

Moving away from the traditional neutrality of glass spheres, the Non Random suspension lamp by lighting producer Lodes asserts color as presence. Six finishes such as Mandarin Orange, Golden Sage, and Deep Azure Steel transform the lamp into a focal point, whether installed individually or in visually arresting clusters. Three different diameters expand arrangement potential.

I Balocchi by Paolo Pedrizzetti & Davide Mercatali for Fantini

  • Four stacked, heart-shaped containers in varying shades of pink against a plain black background.
    Photography courtesy of Fantini.
  • Red, curved faucet with matching and chrome cross-shaped handles, set on a glossy black countertop.
    Photography courtesy of Fantini/copyright Valentine Sommariva.
  • Ten colorful, glossy, four-lobed objects are arranged in a loose diagonal line on a white surface. Each object has a black label with a white symbol in the center.
    Photography courtesy of Fantini.

Demonstrating the enduring power of color, faucet collection I Balocchi, marks its 50th anniversary with bright new colorways. Originally conceived for bathroom manufacturer Fantini in 1976 by Paolo Pedrizzetti and Davide Mercatali, the design transformed a purely functional object into a playful, sculptural statement. Saturated hues—think yellow, red, orange, alongside black, white, and brown—introduced bold cheer to bathroom design at a time when such exuberance was virtually unheard of.

36e8 Formae Kitchen from Lago

Modern kitchen with a large marble island, wooden paneled wall, hanging pendant lights, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a garden.
Photography courtesy of Lago.
Modern kitchen with a large marble island, built-in sink, minimalist decor, and a view of a landscaped garden through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photography courtesy of Lago.

A verdant green solid-surfacing material enhances the perception of volume and continuity in furniture manufacturer Lago’s 36e8 Formae kitchen—elevating it to sculptural centerpiece. Finished in glossy XGlass Verde Alpi, surfaces extend seamlessly across fronts and worktops, allowing veining and tone to flow uninterrupted. The angular kitchen, crafted entirely without handles, has a monolithic clarity, while suspended elements add visual lightness.

Totémique by APPRT2

  • Two sets of modern, blocky cabinets in blue and brown, with cylindrical legs and silver knobs, are displayed on a light, curved platform against cream-colored curtains.
    Photography courtesy of APPRT2.
  • A modern cabinet with glossy brown doors and cylindrical black legs stands in a room with beige carpet and white curtain backdrop.
    Photography courtesy of APPRT2.
  • Tall, geometric cabinet with glossy purple panels, cylindrical wooden handles, and legs. One door is open, revealing a dark interior. The design is bold and modern.
    Photography courtesy of APPRT2.

Storage is transformed into a striking composition of color and form with the Totémique cabinet by furniture design studio APPRT2. Constructed from stackable, customizable modular elements in materials such as solid oak, lacquered MDF, and marble, each configuration becomes a personalized sculptural statement. Hues such as deep olive tones and oxidized reds emphasize the graphic interplay between modules, reinforcing the cabinet’s architectural presence. The piece was one of over 50 by 28 French designers and design brands featured in the exhibition “Le French Design,” as part of the group show “Le Design Défilé,” curated by the collective French Living in Motion and designed by Jakob+MacFarlane.

Ribbons by DEDON Design Studio for DEDON

  • Close-up of a woven fabric with a geometric, interlocking pattern in shades of beige and brown, featuring small white dots at some intersections.
    Photography courtesy of DEDON.
  • A close-up view of a woven textile pattern with light beige fabric strips interlaced with brown borders, arranged diagonally on a white background.
  • Oval-shaped rug with concentric rings in terracotta, beige, and off-white colors, displayed on a white background.

The Ribbons collection from the in-house design studio at outdoor furniture manufacturer DEDON translates color into two large-scale woven carpets intended for the outdoors. A tactile invitation to casual summer living, broad fabric bands intersect in an over-under grid for rectangular formats, while braided coiling defines the round variations. Graphic patterns in nature-inspired palettes—Harvest, Wild, and Sprout—use tonal variation to create depth and rhythm. Made of DEDON’s proprietary weatherproof polycarbonate fiber, each carpet is designed to drain naturally after it rains.

Nido by Joana Bulhões de Castro Cunha Netto for Rossi di Albizzate

Close-up view of an orange, tufted, fabric ottoman with soft, cushioned squares and visible stitching.
Photography courtesy of Joana Bulhões de Castro Cunha Netto.
A modern room with a large wall art of an airplane, a small side table with magazines, and an orange ottoman on a gray rug.
Photography courtesy of Joana Bulhões de Castro Cunha Netto.

A system of integrated pockets forms the tactile exterior of the Nido pouf by Joana Bulhões de Castro Cunha Netto. Built on a primarily wood internal base, it is upholstered using traditional sofa upholstery fabrication methods. Upholstered fabric bands are then braided around the surface. Doubling as storage, the pouf’s layered visual rhythm is an engaging way to keep everyday objects discreetly within reach. Orange velvet made it an eyecatcher at SaloneSatellite, Salone’s platform for young designers.

Bonbon by Barber Osgerby for Kasthall

Close-up of a textured fabric with a repeating pattern of pink, orange, and white woven yarn.
Photography courtesy of Kasthall.
Two dark leather armchairs face forward, separated by a small table with a white modern lamp, all set on a textured red rug in front of a large window with sheer curtains.
Photography courtesy of Kasthall.

Hues embedded into the structure of the weave adds texture and depth to the 100 percent wool Bonbon rug by Barber Osgerby for rug manufacturer Kasthall. Subtle shifts in tone and warp give the surface a sense of movement, while the tailored triple-shuttle looped edge adds a refined finish. It’s available in energizing fruit-inspired shades including Berry, Rhubarb, and Lemon.

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