MILAN is to furniture what Paris is to fashion — only the models actually have some padding and they do not glide down catwalks; they sit in showrooms hoping to catch the eye of a passing “furniturista”.

Milan is where objects go to become icons. Trends from here are coming soon to a living room near you. It is sorting the sweet from the naff that’s tough.

The Salone del Mobile is the world’s biggest furniture fair, attracting nearly 2,000 exhibitors annually. Last year almost 200,000 people flew in for a look. It is an important cultural event fusing fashion and design, and throws together the likes of Tord Boontje and Alexander McQueen — only in this super-cool city.

The main salone is vast and like a never-ending Earls Court. Far better to hit the Zona Tortona, a district of Milan which is a sort of furniture fringe (without tassels). Zona Tortona is the area around Via Tortona including Via Solari, Via Stendhal, Via Bergognone and countless side streets. The free shuttle service prevents you from getting lost. Walk into any place with a big red interni sign and see what is on offer.

On Via Tortona, just by Armani’s headquarters, is Superstudio: home to the cool but established acts. Thorsten Van Elten’s stand always has quirky but useful finds. “Plant Cup” by Gitta Gschwendtner is a giant-yet-dainty cup and saucer that is actually a planter. The price is £149. Big beasties roam on the “Digital Stag Wall Clock” by Fly-pitcher. It costs £195.

Still at Superstudio, Tom Dixon showed off his new wares at a tea party, the “Soft System” chairs and sofas providing a welcome rest. Modular but not modish, a large sofa starts at £3,350.

It is available in soft wool upholstery; leather may be on the way. Fans of the now classic (but still expensive) “Mirror Ball” light will love the new “Copper Shade”. At £155, it is in a slick 1970s style.

Dixon is the creative director of Habitat, whose stand was just next door. He popped in to make sure that its “very important products” launch was swinging. Amazingly, this was Habitat’s first salone, which is a bit like Kate Moss missing a fashion show. Philip Treacy, the man responsible for the Duchess of Cornwall’s hat on her wedding day, has designed an armchair for Habitat. This gigantic dented disc is surprisingly comfy but costs £1,200.

Milan is all about launches and lunches; the food is usually more memorable than the products. But three got it right this year: Edra, Established & Sons and the Royal College of Art.

Edra has been around for a long time but its new furniture, sold here through Selfridges, is ultra-contemporary and very Vegas. If you want British style, seek Established & Sons. This new British design and manufacturing company featured furniture from Zaha Hadid, Barber Osgerby and Future Systems, among others. It is design in well-made limited editions and almost everything sold out at its swanky rooftop party. Stella McCartney was seen ogling sofas. Queue now for its next collection.

Thanks to a brilliant collaborative effort, all 14 product design students from the Royal College of Art made it to Milan — they drove from London in a van. Their tutors, the excellent Ron Arad, Daniel Charny and Roberto Feo, gave them the brief of “living space”. Each installation, no matter how odd, forces you to stop and reconsider how you live.

Unusually, three designs are ready for shops now. “My Mess” by Luis Eslava Aloy is an ingenious system of wires bent for hanging coats, bags and things. Sato Hisao has created the ultimate reading room: a cylindrical library with space for a chair inside. “Home Greenroom” by Tomas Alonso is a mobile frame for growing plants that creates a verdant indoor tent.

Milan is over for another year. For now furnituristas can put their feet up and enjoy the best in show.

The official website of the fair: www.cosmit.it
The “fringe”: www.zonatortona.it
Event previews: www.designboom.com

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers