imm cologne 2014 reflects the efficiency of the furniture supply industry

The furniture show provides a foretaste of the upcoming ZOW 2014

[Bad Salzuflen/Cologne, 3 February 2014] As the first interior design show of the year, imm cologne has set the tone for a successful year of furniture in 2014. More than 1,200 exhibitors from over 50 countries showcased the trends in furniture and interior design of the coming season, thereby acting as a decisive impetus for the industry. "The new collections boast high-quality design, premium materials and technical innovations", states Horst Rudolph, Director of the event organiser Clarion Events Deutschland. "In addition to furniture with a used look, metal surfaces, in particular, are making a comeback in furniture design. Moreover, more and more people are opting for American box-spring beds with double mattresses, which promise a particularly high degree of comfort for a good night's sleep."

A new phase of living has begun in Germany - the traditional divisions between rooms are disappearing and are being replaced by various zones of activity and relaxation in the home. After kitchens and living-rooms have already merged together, the bathroom is now being joined with the bedroom. A decisive role is, of course, played by choosing furniture to suit this particular space. Besides design and functionality, this furniture also needs to meet the higher demands of consumers in terms of comfort. "In the past, beds with hard mattresses were considered as the ultimate in comfort", explains Horst Rudolph. "Today, however, people want to replicate the experience of a restful sleep provided by a bed in a luxury hotel." This is why box-spring beds are also becoming increasingly popular in Germany, offering superior comfort and support due to the particular structure of bed system. Numerous additional functions are available such as embedded lights with a motion sensor or the possibility of elevating the head and foot of the bed via remote control to meet personal requirements.

Individuality is in demand

"Individualisation is a mega trend in the furniture industry", says Rudolph. Product variety is also rising accordingly. In the case of upholstered furniture alone, some 400 configuration options are available - from the upholstery fabric to the feet through to the hardness of the seat and special mechanical functions." Since most customers tend to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities, modern planning systems and configurators are gaining ground. Individualised items of furniture were also presented to an increasing degree on tablet computers at imm cologne - a trend set to revolutionise the sales processes of the industry in the years to come.

Metal surfaces are experiencing a comeback

Precious metals in living spaces are gaining in popularity. In addition to vintage furniture, which has been made to look old with scratched or oxidised metal surfaces, a multitude of interior design accessories in this trendy look was also on display. Suppliers to the furniture industry have significantly contributed to this trend. They have developed special galvanic methods with which a wide range of metal surfaces can be produced.

"The furniture industry benefits from the innovative strength of its small- and medium-sized suppliers who develop tailor-made solutions and components behind the scenes", remarks Rudolph. "Numerous trends showcased for the first time at ZOW 2013 have already become firmly rooted and have found their way into the latest furniture collections of the manufacturers." From 10 to 13 February, ZOW - the International Show for Suppliers to the Furniture and Interior Design Industries held at Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Centre will once again become the stage on which the creative supply industry will appear to showcase the materials, parts and components for the product of tomorrow.

Trade fair organiser Clarion Events Deutschland GmbH, based in Bielefeld, Germany, runs ZOW – Annual Fair for Components and Accessories for Furniture and Interior Design and the FMB - supplier show for the machinery industry in Bad Salzuflen as well as Focus Küche & Bad in Enger. Plans are being drawn up for more specialist fairs and business events.

Clarion Events Deutschland GmbH
Viola Hoffmann
Meisenstraße 94 | 33607 Bielefeld
GERMANY
T: +49 (0) 521 96533-67
E: viola.hoffmann@clarionevents.de
W: www.clarionevents.de

This release was published on openPR.