COLOGNE, Jan 5 — The annual expo will take place in Cologne, Germany from January 13-19, kicking off next year’s interior design trade fair season. Initially focused on furnishings, IMM has widened its purview in recent years, becoming a showcase for all things interior design.

Though still among the world’s leading furnishing trade fairs — along with those of Shanghai and Milan — IMM is also focused on the broader interior design market. The annual trade show now includes an entire section devoted to floor and wall coverings and bathroom fixtures, and the company behind IMM also organises Living Kitchen, a separate biennial show on kitchen fixtures, furnishings and appliances.

Pure design

Naturally, design is at the heart of IMM, and the expo’s Pure sections emphasise innovation and talent among international designers. In Pure 11, for example, visitors will admire modern interiors coordinated and designed by some of the leading names in the premium segment. Exceptionally visionary furnishings and design concepts are displayed in the Pure Editions section, and the Pure One section, meanwhile, showcases the work of young, up-and-coming designers.

The Walter Knoll stand, in the hall devoted to the leading names in the design world, was among the highlights of IMM Cologne 2013.

Catering to young lifestyles

Spanning across two exhibition halls at IMM 2014, the Smart section is devoted to affordable, stylish and functional furniture for young, design-conscious consumers. The event’s website specifies that the new generation of consumers is interested in “affordable furniture as a means of spontaneous individual expression.” Self-assembly and versatility are among the key words in this section, where over 100 exhibitors will present their latest innovations.

Additional sections, such as the bedroom section Sleep and the upholstered furniture section Comfort, are dedicated to more traditional furniture categories.

In 2013, the event was attended by 142,000 visitors. Over 1,250 exhibitors from 50 countries showcased their wares across the event’s 15 halls. IMM is taking advantage of social media to communicate with future participants, such as through its Facebook app, Immagine Living Spaces, where fans can vote for their favourite furnishings.

Find out more about the IMM show here. imm-cologne.com — AFP-Relaxnews