We envision a planet where creativity, design, and innovation can reshape society for the better, with the goal of preserving an intact living environment for future generations. Our strong commitment is dedicated to improving the quality of living spaces through the power of artisanship, technology, and the Made in Italy value.

We design, tailor, and create products that enhance spaces, connect people, and don’t harm the environment—furniture entirely made in Italy, with longevity at its core for sustainable development. We take pride in preserving craftsmanship in the age of technology, creating timeless pieces that do not follow short-term trends.

It all started in 1920 in Cantù, in the heart of Brianza, in a small family-run artisan workshop founded by Nino Romano, specialising in the production of classic solid wood furnishings. In the mid-1940s, Mario Riva joined the workshop, continuing his father-in-law's work. Brothers Maurizio and Davide Riva followed in the footsteps of their father and grandfather, and in the late '70s, they began working as carpenters in the shop under their house, focusing on custom furniture. This marked the beginning of an artisanal approach to enhancing natural wood using completely natural waxes and oils, a distinctive feature of Riva 1920. In 1987, the first production unit was inaugurated, and sister Anna joined the company. In 1992, Riva 1920 presented its furniture collection for the first time at the Milan International Furniture Fair.

Alongside wood from planned and controlled cuts, the company introduced reclaimed woods such as the millennial Kauri of New Zealand, the Briccole of the Venice Lagoon, and the Cedar of Lebanon. In 2005, the second production unit was inaugurated, and in 2010, construction of the Riva Center—a building conceived by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop—was completed. The space houses a 1,200-square-metre showroom on the ground floor and the Museum of Wood on the first floor.

In 2013, a third production unit specialising in the processing of cedar logs was opened. In 2017, the second floor of the Riva Center was inaugurated, featuring the Pangea table—a symbol of Expo 2015 designed by Michele De Lucchi—and a xylotheque with woods from all over the world.