For more than 50 years, the imm cologne has been one of the most important furniture fairs in the world. The upholstery segment is the leading light of the event. As such, it is given high priority by the imm cologne, covering approximately one third of the occupied space. The imm cologne showcases the entire spectrum of upholstered furniture, from starter sofas to premium design products.
No other international show provides such an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the new trends in the international upholstered furniture industry, as well as the accompanying services and marketing concepts. With more than 100,000 visitors and its unique mix of national and international professionals, consumers and other multipliers such as architects and designers, the imm cologne represents an ideal combination of supply and demand.
In the Cologne furniture fair’s biggest sub-section – the “Comfort” segment in Halls 4.1, 5, 6 and 10 – the German upholstered furniture industry is prominently represented. Firms like Himolla, Elastoform, Steinhoff, Koinor, Polipol/Zehdenick, Machalke, Frommholz, Willi Schillig and Ewald Schillig, will be presenting convincing proof of the German upholstered furniture industry’s innovative potency.
A host of new German and international exhibitors and returnees will also be joining the Comfort segment at the imm cologne 2010. Candy, Carina and FM Munzer will be attending the Cologne show for the first time, joined by companies like Hukla, Ponsel, Nordica, Natuzzi, Hjellegjerde, Molinari and Hans Kaufeld, who will be participating in the trade fair again next January.
But upholstered furniture isn’t only on show in the Comfort segment: it plays an important role in the Pure section too. Cor, Cassina, Walter Knoll and De Sede will be showing their innovations in Hall 11 alongside firms like Rolf Benz or Brühl & Sippold.
The imm cologne is the upholstered furniture industry’s most effective platform for presenting product innovations. Due to its business character, the Cologne fair shines a spotlight on enduring innovations that will go on to conquer global markets, thus setting the course for success in the year ahead. But the imm cologne isn’t only about presenting new products; first and foremost, it is about marketing concepts and inspiration for staging the products at the POS.
Vintage and blue-violet
What do next year’s trends look like? According to Kurt Beier, a designer who has been working for upholstered furniture company Koinor in Michelau, Upper Franconia for many years: “The trend is towards user-friendly creations with sophisticated functions and multiple uses. In terms of shape, things are starting to get rounder again, the sofas are getting more “cushiony” – you sit in them rather than on them. Neutral colours like black, white, brown or grey continue to dominate as far as coverings are concerned, and leather is still very popular. But there are some new trend colours as well, like dark-blue violet shades and royal or night blue.”
Benny Nilsson of Furninova adds: “I’ve noticed that the strict, cubic shapes we’ve been seeing are starting to soften up – a perfect fit with the casual, laid-back look of our Scandinavian sofas.” Nilsson also acknowledges the growing importance of vintage and romantic styles.
It looks as if upholstered furniture is being given a more distinctive character again – another excellent reason for visiting the imm cologne!
16. November 2009
Categories: Exhibitors, imm comfort, Trends
Tags: Benny Nilsson, Brühl & Sippold, Candy, Carina, Cassina, COR, de Sede, Elastoform, Ewald Schillig, FM Munzer, Frommholz, Furninova, hall 10, hall 11, Hall 4.1, hall 5, hall 6, Hans Kaufeld, Himolla, Hjellegjerde, Hukla, imm cologne 2010, Koinor, Kurt Beier, Machalke, Molinari, Natuzzi, Nordica, Polipol/Zehdenick, Ponsel, Rolf Benz, Steinhoff, trend colors, Trends, upholstered furniture, upholstery segment, Walter Knoll, Willi Schillig
