Inspired by the 1924 Surrealist Manifesto, which advocated for freeing the subconscious mind and rejecting rational thought to unleash creativity, Maison&Objet this year explored the power of the unreal with its “Sur/Reality” exhibition, offering a welcome escape from the often absurd reality of our daily lives.
Designers, artists, and brands alike embraced the dreamlike ethos of surrealism at Maison&Objet 2025 to create objects and spaces that defy convention and inspire the imagination. Looking to infuse a sense of surrealist wonder into your next project? Let’s explore the key trends, designs, and ideas that defined the show.
1. Breaking the Rules
Surrealism’s penchant for illusory and hypnotic visuals was front and center. Patterns that played with optical effects—like checkerboards and distorted stripes—resonated strongly, offering an evocative way to energize spaces while challenging spatial perception.
For interior designers, this trend suggests an opportunity to push boundaries. Whether it’s a rug that disrupts the geometry of a room or furniture with asymmetrical silhouettes, these elements add energy and intrigue. Beyond aesthetics, consider how these elements can shift the feel of a space—softening rigidity or adding depth to otherwise conventional layouts.
How to Apply It: Maximalism isn’t going anywhere, and surrealist-inspired designs are ripe for experimentation. Experiment with patterns that evoke movement or optical effects. Mix contrasting materials—like glossy and matte finishes—to create tension that draws the eye. Focus on a few bold features to avoid overwhelming the design.
2. Whimsy and Storytelling Through Objects
Attendees also witnessed the power of objects to tell stories, with many designs drawing on humor, nostalgia, and the fantastical. Confectionery-inspired ceramics, anthropomorphic vases, and anatomical motifs were standout examples.
These whimsical touches allow designers to infuse interiors with deeper narratives, referencing culture, history, and emotion. They can also balance the avant-garde with a sense of familiarity, making them versatile additions to both modern and eclectic spaces.
How to Apply It: Source decorative pieces that evoke emotion or spark conversation. Look for designs that reinterpret familiar shapes, such as vases, lamps, or mirrors, in surprising ways. Use these pieces as focal points or to add character to less prominent areas like shelves, side tables, or entryways.
Playful, food-inspired décor offers an opportunity to add personality and charm to kitchens, dining spaces, or retail projects, while human-inspired forms, used sparingly but strategically, can create focal points that provoke thought and conversation.
3. Redefining Surrealist Palettes
Color played a starring role this year, as designers embraced vibrant palettes to redefine the surrealist aesthetic with iridescence, transparency, and high-contrast primary hues. These bold palettes challenge the neutral tones dominating modern interiors, offering fresh ways to energize spaces. This move toward more adventurous color palettes signals a broader desire for interiors that evoke joy, excitement, and emotion.
How to Apply It: Pair bold hues with neutrals for balance. Introduce reflective or layered surfaces to amplify color effects and create optical depth. Vibrant, oversized rugs or sculptural furniture can serve as statement pieces in an otherwise toned-down room.
4. Play Big, Think Small
Surrealism often manipulates proportions to evoke wonder, and this was a defining feature of the fair. Designers showcased oversized pendant lamps, scaled-up furnishings, and miniature, delicate objects in ways that balanced drama with intimacy. This juxtaposition of scales invites designers to reimagine proportions in their projects, whether through architectural elements or decorative details.
Oversized pieces can anchor a room, providing a sense of grandeur or playfulness, while miniature accents offer moments of intimacy and whimsy. When used together, they create a dynamic interplay that keeps the eye engaged.
How to Apply It: Scale is a tool to structure space and guide the eye. Use oversized or undersized elements intentionally to evoke surprise and wonder. Add one or two oversized elements, such as a dramatic light fixture or an extra-large coffee table, to command attention, and balance these with smaller, intricate details—like delicate ceramics or scaled-down sculptures—that encourage closer inspection.
5. Accessible Collectible Design
Maison&Objet highlighted the rise of accessible “collectible design,” offering limited-edition pieces that blend fantasy with utility. Tivoli’s Strikha Chair Lounge, with its oversized proportions and playful scalloped base, and Drugeot Manufacture’s expanded Organic Collection demonstrated that high-impact design doesn’t have to come at exorbitant costs.
This trend is perfect for clients seeking unique, personal elements that feel curated and exclusive without alienating practicality. It also reinforces the importance of storytelling in design—giving pieces meaning and emotional resonance.
How to Apply It: Seek out artisanal or limited-edition pieces that balance uniqueness with functionality. Integrate these elements as accents or key features in a room to emphasize their importance. Highlight their story to enhance the emotional connection for your clients.
6. Lighting as Functional Art
Lighting design emerged as a hero category, with brands like Masiero and Veronese creating fixtures that doubled as sculptures. Masiero’s Nappe Collection transformed tassels into vividly colored pendant lights, while Veronese’s ANÉMONE Collection drew on the organic forms of underwater life. These imaginative designs elevate lighting from a supporting role to a starring feature.
How to Apply It: Don’t underestimate the power of lighting to redefine a space. Choose lighting fixtures with sculptural qualities or unexpected forms. Experiment with colored or textured glass, reflective surfaces, or layered materials to create dynamic lighting effects. Use these bold, sculptural fixtures to anchor dining areas, entryways, or other focal points.
Maison & Objet 2025 showcased a powerful message: design is an escape, a dream, and an act of rebellion against the mundane. Embracing surrealist influences—be it through bold patterns, playful forms, or meaningful interior details—can help craft spaces that inspire and delight.
SOURCES: Maison&Objet, Houzz, Design-milk
