imm Cologne is regarded as one of the key international events that allows the interior and furniture industry to observe emerging directions at the beginning of the year. Held in Cologne between 20–23 January 2026, imm Cologne 2026 draws attention with its restructured format and clearly defined B2B focus. The event is positioned primarily as a sourcing platform that brings together manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasing professionals. This approach is considered a response to the sector’s need to adapt to changing economic conditions and evolving global supply structures.
As emphasized in the official press releases, imm Cologne 2026 has been restructured beyond being a design oriented exhibition space, evolving into a business platform focused on product selection, collection planning, and the development of professional collaborations. This transformation has made the fair more functional, particularly for visitors in decision making roles.
From Furniture to a Spatial Approach
The overall approach observed at imm Cologne 2026 indicates a shift away from evaluating furniture as a standalone product toward considering it as part of a broader spatial whole. Today, workplaces, residential environments, and public spaces accommodate multiple usage scenarios simultaneously. As a result, design decisions are increasingly shaped not only by aesthetics, but also by usage habits and spatial requirements.
The fair’s “World of Interiors” approach further supports this transformation. Addressing living environments at different scales highlights the need to evaluate product design together with spatial experience. This development demonstrates a growing connection between furniture, surface solutions, and architectural elements, particularly within corporate environments.
One of the most notable changes at imm Cologne in 2026 is its clear positioning as a B2B sourcing platform. With manufacturers participating from various countries, commercial stakeholders such as purchasing groups, retail chains, and e-commerce companies play a significant role within the event.
This new structure indicates that efficiency, accessibility, and production processes are becoming as decisive as design within the furniture industry. Under current market conditions where design decisions cannot be considered independently from production and supply chain dynamics these realities are reflected directly in the fair’s content.
Another prominent approach at imm Cologne 2026 is the growing emphasis placed on user comfort within interior environments. Particularly in workplace settings, the tendency to create more balanced and calmer atmospheres stands out. This approach supports a shift in furniture design toward more natural surfaces, balanced color palettes, and tactile material use. While maintaining the requirements of professional use, the focus is on developing solutions that improve user experience. At this point, the relationship between furniture and space is being addressed in a more holistic way.
Koelnmesse GmbH – imm cologne 2026: A fresh start with a clear focus on sourcing, Official press release, imm-cologne.com
Koelnmesse GmbH – World of Interiors as the central theme for imm cologne 2026, Official press release, imm-cologne.com
Koelnmesse GmbH – imm cologne 2026 event information and official summary, imm-cologne.com
