DESIGN – INTERIORS
Kim Williams
Kim Williams
Designer Kim Williams( www. kimwilliams. co. za) shares her impressions from Milan Design Week, tracing a shift beyond visual perfection towards interiors grounded in human experience, sensory connection, and emotional wellbeing.
Every year, Milan Design Week offers a glimpse into where design is heading. It brings together leading designers, architects, makers, and innovators, creating a platform where ideas are tested, challenged, and celebrated.
While the scale of Salone del Mobile and the creativity on display at Alcova were undoubtedly remarkable, what stayed with me was not a particular product or trend. It was a broader shift in thinking towards design that prioritises human experience, sensory connection, and emotional wellbeing.
Grounded living
One of the most noticeable themes was a return to grounded living.
Furniture sat lower, seating became softer, and spaces encouraged a slower, more intentional way of inhabiting them. Sunken lounges, low-profile sofas, and relaxed gathering spaces created interiors that felt connected to the earth rather than elevated above it.
A sense of calm ran through many installations, inviting people to pause, settle, and engage more meaningfully with their surroundings. This movement extends beyond aesthetics, reflecting a desire for homes that support wellbeing, balance, and belonging.
For years, design has focused largely on visual perfection. We have celebrated clean lines, minimalism, and beautifully curated spaces. What I experienced in Milan felt like the next chapter. The conversation is no longer centred solely on what a space looks like. It is increasingly about how a space makes us feel.
Designing for people first Design is becoming increasingly humancentred. Across Salone and Alcova( exhibits), the most memorable spaces were not necessarily the most dramatic, but those that made people feel comfortable, engaged, and emotionally connected.
There was a clear emphasis on everyday rituals, relationships, and wellbeing. Designers are looking beyond individual objects to consider how environments support the people who use them. This feels particularly relevant as our homes continue to serve as places of work, rest, connection, and restoration.
34 spring 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za