imm cologne 2014 closes with 120.000 visitors: Here are trends for furnishing for this year

The successful imm cologne/LivingInteriors 2014 came to an end on Sunday, 19 January 2014. The world’s leading trade fair in Lifestyle and  Interior Design attracted around 120.000 visitors, an increase on 2012’s figures. Visitors came from 129 countries across the world and visitors from abroad accounted for 42.5% of the total. imm cologne shows an overwiew of the trends 2014.

“The current growth in exhibitors and in particular in international visitors proves that imm cologne/LivingInteriors is mobilising the international market and as a result, all the associated industries” says Gerald Böse, President and CEO of Koelnmesse. “The fair went brilliantly this year. We are certain that it has generated a lot of interest in furniture purchase. And that means we are extremely confident when we say that 2014 is going to be a good year in furniture”, said Dirk-Uwe Klaas, CEO of the Federal Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM). This view was confirmed by Hans Strothoff, president of the Federal Association of Furniture, Kitchens, and Furnishing Retailers (BVDM): “We are convinced that the positive spillover effects from the fair will have an important impact on the public’s impulse to purchase.”

imm cologne/LivingInteriors presented a multi-faceted and varied range of products once again this year, with 1.209 (1.179) exhibitors from 52 (49) countries. Overall, around 120.000 visitors (including the estimates for the last day of the fair) came to the metropolis in the Rhineland, against 116.000 in 2012. Around 86.000 of those visitors came from Germany while more than 34.000 came from 129 countries all across the globe!

There were particularly strong presences from the U.K., France, the Netherlands and Italy as well as from China and the USA, representing a one per cent increase in visitors from abroad to the fair. The 2014 event also saw a slight increase in visitors from Russia.

“The increased number of visitors from abroad underlines the importance of the export industry for our exhibitors“, says CEO of Koelnmesse, Katharina C. Hamma. “And it proves that the market-orientated fair concept of the imm cologne, after 2012 and 2013, continues to impress the industry this year“. The fair also saw impressive figures for the Open Days, with around 40.000 consumers looking for ideas and inspiration in interior design.

Overview of the trends at imm cologne 2014: Everything is getting cosier and more colourful

A global mix with a hint of the Romantic
In contrast to the cool virtual world of the internet, people want comfort, harmonious shapes and colours and cosy accessories in their own homes. Objects are deliberately selected and placed to give that authentic feel.

Horizontal showers and soothing lighting
Technology and health requirements clearly merge in the ideal bathroom. Designers have taken advantage of this natural symbiosis and created an oasis of well-being to replace the humble bathroom of the past.

Comfort is key
In the bed and mattress sector as well as in upholstered furniture, the modern customer is moving away from the hard lying and sitting ideal, once so highly praised. Today, the customer associates comfort with cosiness and a softer lying and sitting concept.

Wall units reconceived as jigsaw puzzles
The demand for wall units in the coming season focuses less on storage space and more on basic electrical equipment. It must provide space for the Home Entertainment system while avoiding the tangle of cables and retro-fitted cable ducts. This means that wall units continue to become smaller and lighter but equipped for far more technology than before.

My favourite colour is multi-coloured
The colour white will still be available for furniture but is on the decline. Bright colours and a wide variety of colours are set to return. We are going to see a lot of blue, violet as well as teal and cyan tones. The whole spectrum of natural tones will play a large role, primarily in the wooden furniture range.

imm cologne – the leading trade fair for furniture & interiors since 1949

imm cologne is the central trade fair for interiors in the most important international interiors market. Right at the beginning of the year, the fair presents the most current international furniture and lifestyle trends in the most impressive commercial atmosphere. The enormous breadth and depth of exhibits extends from self-assembled furniture to premium brands all the way to visionary product design. In its 65th anniversary year, imm cologne was held alongside the LivingInteriors, which takes place every two years and showcases an integrated range of living and lifestyle concepts. The spotlight was on the things that transform our houses and apartments into homes: bathrooms, flooring, walls, home textiles and lighting. Along with the furniture fair, LivingInteriors provided an extensive and innovative picture of the entire design world.

The next trade fair duo imm cologne // LivingKitchen will be held from 19 to 25 January 2015

The next trade fair duo imm cologne // LivingInteriors will be held from 18 to 24 January 2016

Source: Imm Cologne

Read more news related LivingInteriors and Imm Cologne published at Infurma

Visit the LivingInteriors website

Visit the imm cologne website

Visit the “Fairs & Events” Calendar of Infurma