Italy has always been a dab hand at turning raw materials into marvels. For generations, Italians have been famed for carrying creative flair in their DNA, from master tailors and coachbuilders to artisans shaping marble and leather. Their furniture designs reflect centuries of mastery without ever feeling frozen in time. The heirs of Italian Renaissance woodworkers, who once chiselled grand walnut thrones and intricately carved chests, now sculpt modular sofas, fluid tables, and ingenious storage systems with equal attention to detail.
Each era has left a distinct imprint on Italian furniture design. The Renaissance brought rich ornamentation often adorned with mythological carvings, Neoclassicism followed, embracing purity inspired by Pompeii’s ruins, Post-war Italy saw the rise of mid-century modernism that embraced new materials like fiberglass and bent plywood, then by the late 20th century, Italian furniture embraced a new direction – minimalism softened by comfort and daring forms married to practical function – an approach that continues to influence contemporary design today.
These Italian brands are the names to watch, whatever you are seeking – a low-slung sectional perfect for family life, a finely stitched leather armchair, or an architectural dining table that is captivating from every angle.
Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau, founded in 1912, built its reputation on exquisite leatherwork and meticulous handcrafting, to later represent elegance in Italian interiors. Its most recognisable pieces – the rounded Vanity Fair armchair and the elegantly sculpted Archibald chair, even its own proprietary Pelle Frau® leather have become a byword for supple quality, featured everywhere from luxury homes to bespoke automotive interiors. In Dubai, this philosophy takes tangible form in showrooms, curated living rooms and studies set out on Jumeirah Beach Road and at the Mall of the Emirates, where visitors are encouraged to sit, linger, and imagine these classics seamlessly blending into their own homes.
Cassina
Cassina has shaped the conversation around Italian modernism since 1927. The company was among the first to transition from artisan workshops to industrial design production while still safeguarding a tradition of quality. Its catalogue reads like a who’s who of twentieth-century design – Le Corbusier’s LC4 chaise longue, Gerrit Rietveld’s Utrecht armchair, and the softly structured Soriana sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. These icons, alongside contemporary pieces by Philippe Starck and Patricia Urquiola, capture the essence of a brand that honours its past while still embracing the future. Cassina’s Dubai showroom, housed in a light-filled villa in Jumeirah, features living spaces arranged to replicate a private family home, from serene lounges to outdoor terraces. The showroom combines modernist classics and new releases that are practical and amazingly liveable.
B&B Italia
Since 1966, B&B Italia has been pushing boundaries in furniture production, setting new standards with its sculptural yet functional designs. Pieces such as Mario Bellini’s endlessly modular Camaleonda sofa and Gaetano Pesce’s Pop-inspired Up Series armchair have transcended trends to become cultural touchstones. In Dubai, the flagship showroom on Jumeirah Road unfolds across two levels, styled like a private villa, and each room reveals how B&B Italia’s designs work in everyday living. Settings range from a library-inspired snug anchored by a Tufty-Time sofa to a laid-back media room featuring the latest modular seating systems. Visitors will enjoy avant-garde ideas, born in Italian workshops and naturally rhythmed to match Dubai's stylish homes.
Minotti
Family-run since 1948, Minotti has long championed a refined aesthetic defined by architectural lines and exacting tailoring. For many years, the late Rodolfo Dordoni shaped the brand’s creative direction, crafting sofas and chairs that feel current and timeless, such as the Hamilton seating system or the sweeping Alison armchair. Minotti’s Dubai flagship, set in Jumeirah 3, mirrors the mood of a contemporary Italian villa. High ceilings, natural light, and even an indoor winter garden frame a furniture collection that is quietly sophisticated. Visitors will love the sculptural Yves seating system and outdoor collections curated for rooftop terraces.
Flexform
Flexform has been perfecting a luxury of its own since 1959. The brand has focused on clean lines, generous proportions, and soft, welcoming materials – the main factors of practicality for contemporary living. Its collaborations with Antonio Citterio produced icons such as the Groundpiece sofa, a design that revolutionised the modern living room with its low profile and integrated tray tables. In Dubai, Flexform’s designs can be experienced at Obegi Home, a showroom that pairs the brand’s signature pieces with other curated names. Design enthusiasts might revel in a Soft Dream sofa, while appreciating the subtlety of materials.
Molteni & C
Molteni & C, established in 1934, offers an entire lifestyle of Italian design. From modular shelving systems and sleek wardrobes to plush sofas and tailored dining tables, the holistic vision and meticulous style are prominent in every detail. Heritage pieces such as Gio Ponti’s reissued armchairs sit effortlessly alongside contemporary designs by Vincent Van Duysen and Rodolfo Dordoni. In Dubai, the flagship villa showroom on Jumeirah Beach Road brings together different layouts and domestic settings – one room anchored by an Octave sofa, another revealing a fully fitted kitchen by sister brand Dada, all set within an atmosphere reminiscent of a lived-in home.
Beyond the Flagships: Multi-Brand Galleries
For those who like to browse across different Italian aesthetics, Dubai’s multi-brand showrooms provide a one-stop experience. These outlets offer access to other celebrated Italian brands that carry significant weight in the design world. Giorgetti, known for its sculptural woodwork and precise detailing, blends tradition and innovation with an artist’s touch, delivering pieces that remain in good nick for generations. Ceccotti Collezioni brings a distinctive, almost architectural approach to furniture design, often defined by complex joinery and organic forms. Moroso, celebrated for playful shapes and bold fabrics, delivers a contemporary twist that is highly sought-after by collectors and design connoisseurs. Poliform, with its sleek kitchens, wardrobes, and refined modular systems, offers a full-home solution built on modern Italian aesthetics. These names, while often found within multi-brand spaces like Finasi and Obegi Home rather than stand-alone stores, deepen Dubai’s connection to the breadth of Italian design.
Final Thought
Italian design has travelled the world over and in Dubai, it has found an eager audience. Few know that Cassina’s iconic LC4 chaise, designed in 1928, is still produced today and can be found in towers and villas across the city. Perhaps that is the real magic of Italian design – it slips as easily into a glass-walled villa or penthouse on Palm Jumeirah as it does in a terrace on the Riviera. Little wonder it sits high on the list for design leaders around the world.
