IKEA will present a multisensory exploration of food, design and everyday life at Milan Design Week 2026, alongside the world premiere of new pieces from its flagship IKEA PS collection.
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Titled Food for Thought, the exhibition takes place in Milan's Porta Venezia district and examines how evolving rituals around cooking, eating and socialising are reshaping contemporary living spaces. At its core is a large-scale installation featuring five distinct room settings, each created through a collaboration between an international designer and a chef.
The participating duos, including Charlotte Taylor with Ben Lippett, and Maye Ruiz with Rosio Sanchez, translate cultural and behavioural insights into immersive environments. Each space pairs interior design with a bespoke culinary concept, reflecting how food practices influence spatial design across different contexts.
Throughout the week, the exhibition will function as a live platform. Daily cooking demonstrations will activate the show kitchen as a social hub, while evening programming transforms the venue into an aperitivo setting, with menus inspired by the installations. The experience extends beyond the exhibition itself, incorporating a courtyard market inspired by the Swedish Saluhall, the BILLY Café framed by IKEA's iconic bookcase, and the return of its "Hotdog Extravaganza" with chef-led interpretations.
Alongside the experiential concept, IKEA will unveil three new products from the upcoming tenth edition of its flagship IKEA PS collection, marking a key moment in the brand's design calendar. Additional highlights include two new floor lamps by Milan-based designer Raffaella Mangiarotti, continuing IKEA's focus on combining accessible pricing with elevated materiality and form.
The spatial design of the exhibition has been developed by long-time collaborators Midori Hasuike and Emerzon, ensuring a cohesive environment that integrates the various elements of food, design and interaction.
By placing food culture at the centre of its Milan presence, IKEA reinforces a broader industry shift towards experience-driven design, where interiors are increasingly shaped by lifestyle rituals and social behaviours.
Food for Thought opens to the public on 21 April at Spazio Maiocchi, with daily programming, live performances and transport connections across the city throughout Milan Design Week.
More information:
IKEA
www.ikea.com
