Highlights from 2019 IMM Cologne
IMM Cologne, is the first interiors show of the year and an opportunity to see the furniture trends that will be dominating interiors for 2019 and beyond. One of the biggest trade shows of the year, it’s a great resource for professionals involved in workspace, hospitality and residential design projects.
With 1200 exhibitors from 50 different countries, occupying 14 halls, there’s a wide range of product and design on show. We’re taking a look at the key themes that caught the eye of the Bureau team when we visited last week.
Earthy & Warm
2019 looks to be a colourful year for interiors. From Pantone’s colour of the year, coral, through to a richer terracotta, the colour palette is earthy and warm.
Furniture for communal spaces looks soft and inviting, with a ‘Seventies’ retro focus. Introducing the comfort of home into workspace is a trend that continues. Furniture is practical, comfortable and ergonomic, but definitely not boring!
Mid-Century & More
Mid-century design persists but carries through from 50’s and 60’s inspired furniture to the style of the 70’s, in colour trends and materials.
Leather and suede were featured by a number of brands and paired with marble, metal and wood for a retro look that is urban and contemporary.
Vibrant Mustard
Mustard was a bold colour trend seen across indoor and outdoor furniture. The perfect complementary colour to spaces often dominated by colder grey tones, it brings light and vibrancy to a work environment.
Modular & Mobile
Previously utilitarian furniture such as lockers and whiteboards are now designed for style as well as substance. Once consigned to an out of the way space, these multi-purpose pieces are used to separate space, provide privacy and introduce a focal point to open plan areas. Ensuring workspace is flexible, furniture is often on castors, stackable and easily moveable.
What stood out at IMM Cologne this year is the increasing role that storage plays in both workspace and hospitality, delineating space and providing a multifunctional purpose. Storage has become a real feature piece for interior workspaces as it gives designers the opportunity to break up open plan floor plates to create different zones that lend themselves to different types of work activities.
