International Interiors Show in Cologne In search of comfort
BONN · A new trend can be seen at the international furniture fair in Cologne. There’s a yearning for comfort and cosiness inside one’s own four walls. The show is open to the public beginning Friday.
In these times of uncertainty, when the world’s political stage is revolving more quickly than ever before, the IMM International Interiors Show is all about the comfort of home. A retreat into one’s own private space continues to play a greater role. The fair runs through Sunday, January 22 and 150,000 visitors are expected. 1,360 exhibitors from 50 different countries are displaying their interior designs over 270,000 square meters. On the first four days, it is reserved for people who work in the industry only. From Friday, the fair will be open to the public.
This year, it’s not about setting lots of new accents but rather about carrying on trends introduced last year, like lighter, pastel colors, Scandinavian clarity and intelligent living with the help of digital networks. Textiles such as curtains and carpets are experiencing a renaissance.
Another trend is the so-called “Mid-Century style,” which takes us back to the 1950’s. Fine dark woods and leather in modern and straightforward forms are hallmarks of this style. It underscores a more simple era when Frank Sinatra won the hearts of viewers with his song in black and white films. The firm Schönbuch displays a home bar with 42 different lights, costing 2,500 euro. “The theme of bar and drinking culture is coming back,” says owner Michael Reß.
The interior design and furniture industry can be a big beneficiary of the new yearning for cosiness and comfort. Businesses in this field have been growing for the past three years and have seen an increase of 3.5 percent in revenue. After China and the U.S., Germany lands in third place in terms of sales.
Another trend is that the kitchen becomes more and more a part of the living room. Open islands in the kitchen are a priority and kitchens are a thing to show. “The kitchen has become a new status symbol,” says Stefan Waldenmaier, chief executive of kitchen manufacturer Leicht. But it’s not only about looks, new cooking techniques are introduced by the firm Neff, such as sous-vide cooking where food is sealed in a vacuum pouch and placed in a water bath at low temperature.
For those who want to discover more trends in interior design by visiting the show, information about opening hours and how to get there can be found online in English. (Orig. text: Andreas Dyck)
