Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026: How Ukrainian Furniture Manufacturers Are Strengthening Their Presence on the International Market
In April 2026, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 once again brought together the global furniture industry at Fiera Milano Rho, becoming a center for international dialogue on design, manufacturing, technology, and new business models.
For Ukrainian furniture manufacturers, this is far more than an exhibition. It is a strategic platform for export development, finding new partners, and understanding global market trends. This year, the event featured more than 1,900 exhibitors, over one-third of them international companies. The total exhibition area exceeded 169,000 m², making it nearly impossible to explore the entire fair within just a few days.
Such scale creates an environment where manufacturers, distributors, architects, and designers from around the world meet and collaborate. For furniture companies, it is an opportunity not only to showcase products but also to integrate into global supply chains.
The design of the Ukrainian pavilion was created by Yuliia Kononenko, inspired by the work of Sonia Delaunay, a representative of Art Deco, Orphism, and Simultanism.
“We created a vibrant space inspired by the Ukrainian avant-garde, with bold color combinations, rhythm, and visual dynamics that immediately attracted attention and gave the pavilion its own identity. The most difficult task was to unite all participants while still making every brand visible and recognizable. Usually, exhibitions feature mono-brand stands. In our case, there were 10 brands, two shared stands, different design languages, products, and forms of expression. Thoughtful ergonomics allowed every brand to stand out,” said designer Yuliia Kononenko.
For Ukraine’s economy, export development has become critically important as purchasing power within the domestic market has significantly declined. Companies need to enter new markets rather than compete for a shrinking local customer base.
At the same time, international partners are often cautious about cooperating with Ukrainian manufacturers because of the war. However, a consistent presence at international exhibitions helps build trust and strengthen recognition of Ukrainian brands.
“Today, international visitors increasingly perceive Ukrainian manufacturers as reliable professionals. They value our ability to maintain high production standards, create competitive products, and support one another within the professional community despite the war,” said Alla Lisovska.
In a comment for the Lviv Furniture Cluster, Ihor Chipak shared that many visitors at Salone del Mobile.Milano did not immediately realize the furniture was made in Ukraine.
“About 70% of visitors assumed it was Italian or French production and often asked, ‘Is this really made in Ukraine?’” Ihor Chipak said.
According to MEBUS, this year’s participation became one of the company’s most successful in the past four years and once again proved that the Ukrainian furniture industry is not declining but continuing to grow.
At such a large-scale exhibition, it is not enough simply to present a product — companies must capture attention among hundreds of brands and enormous exhibition halls. This year, MEBUS brought transforming tables and tables with integrated mini-bars to Milan.
“We carefully considered everything — shapes, colors, textures. For example, our console transformed into a two-meter dining table, while the round table with a built-in bar also featured a transformation mechanism. We also presented our bestsellers — the Vegas chairs, which have already become successful models on the international market,” Ihor Chipak explained.
He also emphasized that, for the company, Milan is primarily an image-building exhibition.
“Our mission is to show that we continue to work, create new products, and grow despite the war. It is also an opportunity to meet clients from distant markets. For example, partners from Canada are unlikely to travel to exhibitions in Poland or Germany, while Milan becomes the meeting point where we can see each other at least once a year.”
This year’s exhibition also became a breakthrough moment for TIVOLI. From the very first day, the stand attracted a strong flow of visitors and became a platform for professional dialogue.
What was especially valuable for the team was that visitors were intentionally searching for the TIVOLI brand.
“This year, we participated not only as exhibitors but also as mentors for new Ukrainian brands. Having experience from 28 international exhibitions, including 13 where we acted as organizers or co-organizers, we shared our expertise and helped colleagues with logistics and communication with stand contractors,” said Alla Lisovska.
For the company, this was already the fourth participation in Salone del Mobile.Milano. The primary goal was to strengthen market positioning and expand its international network.
The greatest attention at the stand was drawn to the EON table, Moon chairs by Julia Kononenko, and Brandy chairs by Says Who Design (Denmark). Visitors highly appreciated the combination of minimalist design and technological craftsmanship, resulting in several new inquiries for international HoReCa projects.
“Our stand became a point of attraction. Together with Kononenko ID and under the creative direction of Yuliia Kononenko, we created a bold, vibrant, and emotional space that captured attention,” the TIVOLI team noted.
Exhibitors emphasize that successful participation in Milan requires systematic preparation.
Alla Lisovska advises manufacturers to rely on the experience of colleagues and not hesitate to ask for guidance from companies that have already gone through the process.
“It saves both time and budget. Choosing the right stand designers and architects is already half of the success at the exhibition. High-quality logistics and professional stand construction are equally important,” she stressed.
Ihor Chipak, meanwhile, advises companies not to treat Milan as a platform for testing new products.
“This is an image-focused exhibition. To stop a visitor among hundreds of brands and massive halls, every detail matters — colors, textures, product presentation. You do not necessarily need to bring new products every year. Italian brands often present the same proven models for several consecutive years. That is why companies should focus on their bestsellers,” he explained.
The participation of Ukrainian companies in Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 once again confirmed that Ukraine’s furniture industry remains competitive and capable of operating internationally even during wartime. For furniture manufacturers, such exhibitions are no longer just sales platforms — they are strategic opportunities to strengthen exports, build trust in Ukrainian products, expand professional networks, and integrate into the global market of design and manufacturing.
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