The world’s most influential furniture and design fair Milan’s Salone del Mobile, has revealed an ambitious plan to establish a satellite edition in Riyadh. This strategic move is intended to build as a cultural and commercial bridge between Italy and Saudi Arabia in order to deepen the collaboration between the two nations’ design sectors. Scheduled for launch in the final quarter of 2026, the Riyadh edition will bring together a curated selection of leading Italian brands alongside Saudi designers, architects, developers and contractors, creating a dynamic platform for exchange, visibility and cross-border partnerships. Here is a detailed report on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
According to Maria Porro, President, Salone del Mobile, Riyadh will host a fully-fledged iteration of the fair, carefully tailored to support and expand Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving design ecosystem. Porro emphasised that the initiative is not merely a commercial venture but a strategic cultural offering aimed at reinforcing Italy’s design presence in a country where demand for high-quality furnishings, fixtures and architectural solutions is rising at unprecedented speed. Reportedly, current projections indicate that the local market for furniture, fixtures and equipment will grow by nearly one-third by the end of this decade, potentially reaching a value of USD 9 billion. Much of this growth is being driven by large-scale hospitality, residential and mixed-use developments that form part of Saudi Arabia’s transformative Vision 2030 programme.
Vision 2030, a nationwide strategy to diversify the economy away from oil dependency, has spurred numerous landmark projects, including the globally discussed Neom megacity and its linear urban concept The Line. Alongside these high-profile ventures, the Vision 2030 emphasises enhancing both the quality and quantity of the country’s cultural output. This includes promoting traditional architecture, nurturing local design talent and positioning creativity as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s future economy. Porro echoed this thought by describing Vision 2030 as a forward-looking framework where design plays a foundational role because it is, “builder of worlds.”
The Riyadh edition forms one of the primary outcomes of a broader strategic partnership between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Italian Federation of Woodworking and Furniture Industries. This collaboration was reportedly formalised through a memorandum of understanding in January 2025. Ahead of the main 2026 event, Salone del Mobile is staging a smaller three-day showcase this month in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, specifically at the Financial Plaza. This preview exhibition features work from 35 renowned Italian brands, including Cassina, Arper, Flos and Poltrona Frau, alongside pieces from emerging Saudi designers. The exhibition will also include a site-specific installation by Italian architecture studio Gio Forma, known recently for completing the Design Space AlUla gallery in the historic AlUla region. Complementing the showcase, Lissoni & Partners is designing a dedicated business lounge to host key meetings, presentations and discussions with Saudi decision-makers and industry leaders.
While the Riyadh edition represents a major new chapter for Salone del Mobile, this is not the first time the fair has expanded beyond Italy. Since its founding in 1961, the event has previously staged international versions in cities such as Moscow and Shanghai.
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