The Salone del Mobile 2020 was cancelled over the weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Milan furniture fair will now take place on 13-18 April 2021.

Organisers announced in a statement that the decision was made “in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is spreading to almost every country in the world.

“Although we were determined to keep to the June date, to allow the annual event to take place as planned, the present, unprecedented circumstances and medium-term uncertainties now mean that this year’s Salone can no longer go ahead.”

The world’s largest and most important furniture fair, the Salone del Mobile was originally scheduled for 21-26 April 2020, but was postponed until 16-21 June as the pandemic took hold in northern Italy.

Salone del Mobile organisers had originally told exhibitors they would wait to make a final decision, releasing a statement on 12 March that read: “Early April will be the time to take a final decision together, in cooperation with the authorities.”

But many in the Italian press had already speculated last week that the fair would be cancelled. As of publication, coronavirus cases in Italy stand at 97,000 and the entire country is in lockdown.

This decision will also affect Fuorisalone, the many external events that usually run alongside the fair. The two annually attract more than 500,000 visitors to Milan.

The 2021 edition will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Salone.

For the first time ever, all the biennial exhibitions will be held in conjunction with the 2021 edition of the fair, including the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, Workplace3.0, S.Project and SaloneSatellite.

This means that EuroCucina, FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) and the International Bathroom Exhibition will also take place next year, along with Euroluce, which was already scheduled for 2021.

“This single, great sector-wide trade fair will represent a fresh opportunity to pull together to revitalise our businesses, the entire supply chain that works in synergy with the Salone and Milan,” said organisers.

Italy’s other big industry event, the Venice Architecture Biennale, has already been postponed until August. Organisers are yet to say whether they too will consider moving the event to 2021.

Keep up with developments by following ADR‘s coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.

Keep up to date with our tips for architects and designers working from home during COVID-19 – a guide we update regularly with advice and resources.

You can also read Alexander & CO.’s principal Jeremy Bull’s advice on how businesses can adapt to working from home and prepare themselves for the impact of the coming months.