GERMANY – Trendsetters present the innovations for the coming year at imm cologne, the international interiors show taking place from January 14 -20 in Cologne, Germany.

This trade show is an established showcase of ideas from new innovation drivers, market leaders and brands and provides new impulses for the furniture market.

For visitors to imm cologne 2019, much of the new furniture may seem strangely familiar. Cool armchairs and light-footed sofas stand beside the currently ultra-popular sideboards; the few shelves – in the age of Twitter, YouTube and Kindle, where books are almost becoming exhibition pieces – hang on the wall like they used to.

At imm cologne 2019 retro is not an autonomous style, but rather a pervasive style element. Classics of the modern period, of the mid-century and of pop culture are prevalent, but in new interpretations, with a new coat of paint or a new dress. The tried and trusted is coveted in this life dominated by change and appears surprisingly fresh in the new mix and new environment. And on the whole, the increasing flexibilization of our life calls for new furniture: smaller, more modular, more multi-functional.

Regarding color trends for 2019 and in addition to the continuing trend of a light grey palette accompanied by nature or pastel shades, there are two important directions: colorful and dark-elegant. The avant garde combines variants of the primary colors, while the lifestyle faction combines shades of orange not only with dark green, but also with yellow, turquoise, petrol or even mint. Completely trendy are warm colors tending to dark that harmonize with reddish wood, and the dark blue and green shades which allow an Art Deco feeling to arise through the combination with gold and bronze.

In materials, wood is still king. It is not only sustainable, but also cozy, healthy and versatile. It is presently staged as raw as possible: not coarse, but “un-smooth”. Besides this, metal in particular is popular, usually in warm, high-quality colors and surfaces like gold and bronze – and not only as feet for sofas or tables, but also as decorative elements, for example, for lights, tables and wall elements. Glass is in the process of establishing itself as a third force among materials, and as far as home textiles go, one classic has made a comeback: velvet. Usually used in single colors, it reliably radiates a feeling of warmth, a soft texture and a feeling of luxury.

Another very important trend at the fair is the “smart home” as smart home technology tends to establish itself less as a special solution and more as an integral element of home furnishing. In this regard one currently important theme is connectivity: this makes it possible to link in a user-friendly way, various functions, such as air conditioning, security, light, kitchen and bath applications. There is presently a lot of discussion going on of how this linking should take place in order to simultaneously ensure data security and a realm of intimacy.