The Milan International Furniture Fair has long been a barometer of global design trends. At the 2026 event, terrazzo once again became the focus—this material, blending retro charm with modern vitality, has completely shattered traditional perceptions.
From color combinations to material innovations, from furniture design to countertop applications, terrazzo is showing a completely new design logic.
This article analyzes four major terrazzo trends for 2026, based on Milan Fair cases, to help buyers and designers grasp the new direction.
1. Color Revolution: From Monochrome to Diverse, Emotion Becomes the Core of Color Matching
The most noticeable breakthrough in terrazzo at the 2026 Milan Fair is color—traditional gray tones are gradually fading into the background, and more emotionally expressive and diverse color schemes are becoming the mainstream.
The color trends of institutions like Pantone were confirmed at the fair, with color becoming a core tool for conveying emotions and adapting to different scenarios.
1.1 Natural Tones: A New Interpretation of Earthy Hues
Earthy tones dominated the Milan fair, with a clear shift from traditional browns to a more layered and textured interpretation. Deep wine red and warm rust color combinations became popular. The Italian Venini "Volcanic Rock Series" integrated mineral particles into the base, creating a metallic sheen and a retro luxury feel, suitable for high-end hotel reception counters and restaurant walls.
Mustard yellow and deep olive green were also favored, with the Dutch designer’s “Agricultural Memory” series embedding mustard-yellow clay particles in an olive green base. This series exuded a warm tactile quality, ideal for residential living room floors and dining table countertops.
1.2 Gradient and High Saturation: Precise Expression of Visual Tension
Personalized demands drove the popularity of high saturation and gradient colors. The Spanish Porcelanosa "Cloud Walk" series was a representative of gradient design, transitioning from light gray to lavender blue, with embedded mother-of-pearl particles creating a starry effect, ideal for high-end bathrooms. High-saturation colors were often defined by contrasting hues, with Japan’s Nendo "Neon Forest" series being a prime example. The deep blue base embedded with fluorescent red particles creates an aurora-like effect at night, perfect for trendy stores and studios.
1.3 Sustainable Color Schemes: Material Translation of Environmental Concepts
Sustainability was a key theme at the Milan Fair, with terrazzo color schemes trending towards eco-friendly solutions. The German "Homecoming" series was a standout, using coffee grounds and other waste materials to dye the terrazzo, resulting in unique color tones and textures, combining environmental responsibility with craftsmanship.
Another category of sustainable terrazzo involved the use of natural mineral dyes, as demonstrated by the Indian "Gemstone Secret" series. This series replaced chemical color pigments with natural stone pigments, embedding gemstone fragments to create deep and rich tones. It has received EU ecological certification and is a top choice for high-end residential terrazzo furniture.
2. Material Innovation: Lightweight, Smart, and Breaking Application Boundaries
While color defines the appearance of terrazzo, material innovation is its core competitive edge. At the 2026 Milan Fair, terrazzo moved beyond the "heavy and cold" stereotype, with lightweight and smart innovations expanding its application potential.
In particular, terrazzo’s use in furniture and countertops saw remarkable technological breakthroughs, showcasing unprecedented possibilities.
2.1 Lightweight Technology: The “Lightening” Revolution for Furniture and Countertops
Traditional terrazzo’s heavy weight limited its use in furniture, but in 2026, GRC ultra-thin technology revolutionized this issue. The lightweight system by Guangdong Shiji Shangpin produced ultra-thin boards (8-12mm), maintaining strength while reducing weight to just one-third of traditional terrazzo. This made it a new favorite among furniture designers.
At the Milan Fair, Italian company Kartell showcased 3D-printed curved terrazzo furniture, incorporating light and shadow designs. Lightweight technology also simplified terrazzo countertop installations. The Spanish COMPAC series, using a dual-stone powder with resin, solved the cracking problem common with traditional terrazzo, making it an ideal choice for kitchen countertops.
2.2 Smart Upgrades: From Passive Decoration to Active Interaction
Intelligent upgrades were one of the highlights at the fair, transforming terrazzo from a decorative material into an interactive smart medium. Marmoleum's "Mood Stone" in the U.S. embedded thermosensitive materials that change color when touched, making it ideal for medical spaces to help alleviate patient anxiety. In residential settings, smart terrazzo countertops offered practical functionalities, such as the German Bosch smart kitchen system, which embedded sensors into the surface to indicate cooking status with color changes (e.g., warning when oil temperature is too high).
Italy’s Florim also introduced an AR customization service, allowing users to design and order customized terrazzo pieces online, significantly improving efficiency in custom orders.
2.3 Tactile Revolution: A Comprehensive Upgrade from Visual to Sensory
The 2026 terrazzo design places a strong emphasis on optimizing tactile sensations. The British Tom Dixon "Sensory Stone" series exemplified this trend. It used surface etching to create "tactile colors," with cool areas feeling refreshing and warm areas feeling soothing, perfect for furniture surfaces. In countertop applications, tactile optimization was especially important, with COMPAC countertops treated to retain their stone texture while being smooth and highly resistant to stains—ideal for frequent kitchen use.
3. Application Upgrades: Terrazzo Furniture and Countertops Breakthrough in Scene Integration
At the Milan Fair, terrazzo expanded beyond traditional floor and wall uses, infiltrating furniture and countertop applications in a variety of scenarios. Terrazzo furniture and countertops have become the core carriers of both aesthetics and functionality.
3.1 Terrazzo Furniture: From Supporting Role to Main Visual Feature
Terrazzo, once a secondary material, has now become the visual focal point in many spaces. Several terrazzo furniture pieces made their debut at the Milan Fair, ranging from dining tables to wardrobes. In kitchens, terrazzo islands became particularly popular, with Contech's example using a solid terrazzo countertop with rounded edges and a light gray base featuring delicate white particles—simple yet elegant. The design combines aesthetics with wear resistance and stain resistance, making it the visual core of the kitchen.
In living rooms, terrazzo coffee tables became a classic pairing, with Kartell’s “Liquid Stone” table standing out for its 3D-printed curved shape and gradient base color, elevating minimalist living room designs. Terrazzo bookshelves also gained attention, combining lightweight panels with walnut wood frames, creating a cozy reading atmosphere. In bedrooms, terrazzo dressing tables became focal points. A light pink terrazzo surface combined with a matching cabinet and embedded LED light strips balances both practicality and ambiance, becoming a favorite in bedroom designs, particularly for women.
3.2 Terrazzo Countertops: Seamless Integration and Scene Customization
Countertops are terrazzo's core application, with 2026 trends emphasizing "seamless integration" and "scene customization." One-piece countertops were featured prominently, especially in kitchen designs. In Marmoleria Destefano’s case, the countertop seamlessly integrated with the sink, offering a clean look and easy-to-maintain surface, perfectly suited for minimalist kitchens. The fine particle material also added a refined touch. For bathrooms, Porcelanosa's "Cloud Walk" series balanced functionality with aesthetics, featuring gradient tones and an integrated washbasin for a tranquil atmosphere. The slightly beveled edge design also ensured safety. High-end models even featured negative ion purification, improving bathroom comfort. In commercial spaces, countertops became the narrative vehicle for brands, as seen in Louis Vuitton's concept store, where translucent terrazzo countertops embedded with metal letters conveyed the brand's story through light and shadow.
3.3 Scene Expansion: Full-Scene Coverage from Indoor to Outdoor
Terrazzo’s reach extended into outdoor spaces in 2026, with numerous products debuting at the Milan Fair's outdoor section. These products were formulated with frost-resistant and sun-resistant features, making them suitable for various climates. They were resistant to cracking and fading under low temperatures and intense sun exposure, ideal for outdoor environments. Outdoor dining tables, made from olive-green terrazzo with quartz particles, were durable and easy to clean, making them perfect for garden use. Outdoor bar counters also stood out, with bright mustard yellow terrazzo creating a vibrant focal point for social gatherings.
4. Trend Summary: Returning to the Essence, Embracing Diversity
The popularity of terrazzo in 2026 is the result of a blend of retro revival, technological innovation, and design upgrades. It will be embraced across various living spaces with its diverse color schemes, innovative materials, and expansive applications.
Consumers can choose terrazzo countertops in natural tones or personalized furniture, adding vibrancy to their spaces. Designers and industry professionals can explore new possibilities through these innovations.
The potential for exploration in terms of color, materials, functionality, and application scenarios is vast.
With the Milan Fair concluded, terrazzo’s journey has just begun, and it is set to create even more exciting designs and experiences in both home and commercial spaces. Terrazzo is a material worth considering for your next project.