Design trends in Cologne

The strongest trend that became apparent at the fair was the new crystallinity. The furniture’s language of form is characterised by crystalline forms: austere, geometric – pieces of furniture as analogies to crystals. The new crystalline forms dominate the field of sitting furniture in particular. Furthermore, the relevant tendencies and trends which were visible at last year’s fair partly continued or even intensified. Trendsetting topics for design are, apart from crystallinity, the following:

Medialisation

The trend to medialise furniture is becoming increasingly apparent.

Communication and media more and more dominate our daily life, which results in the idea to equip products with additional functions. This has already happened in the case of the mobile phone; it is no longer used for making calls only, but has been equipped with photo, video and audio functions. Last year, it already became discernible that the trend of medialisation had been taken up by the furniture industry. Now it is continued in the kitchen sector in particular. The TV is integrated into the cupboard and pieces of kitchen furniture become sideboards for TVs and stereo systems. The medialisation is even going as far as producing fridges that contain Internet, a CD-player or weather stations.

The functions of the individual products are multiplied and extended by medialisation, which leads to areas opening up increasingly. The individual living areas are dissolving and merge with one another. From an economic point of view this is an attempt to try to open up new fields of business. Due to the internationalisation and the mobilisation of society the manufacturers create innovations that influence the field of design. The electrical installation is no longer integrated into the walls, but becomes an integral part of the kitchen system, thus making the expensive integration of cables into the building’s architecture unnecessary. Extractor hoods are integrated into niches, door elements can be moved as required, and the area between worktop and base cabinet is opened up. The originally closed surface of the base cabinets can be opened by pull-out trays, which run on rails that are positioned directly underneath the worktop. With a top section made of clear glass the trays become extending showcases. The consumers can thus determine themselves what shall be hidden and what presented. Thus, an exciting dialogue between open and closed, hiding and presenting emerges in the kitchen area.

In general, the kitchen has an importance which goes far beyond its actual function. It becomes the centre of living: Here one gathers with family or friends, communication and cooking takes place and whole nights are spent here. Thus, a new kitchen awareness is created. Through optimised architecture, linking up via media and extended living functions the kitchen becomes a communicative meeting point.

The bedroom is also subject to change. The bed has a new significance, because the private quality of this room has become relative. The new bedroom shall be more: a place of rest, a reading lounge, a music or television room, and a wellness island.

Wellness boom

Daily life is becoming increasingly stressful, and personal wellness in turn is becoming more and more important. Therefore, more and more people create wellness oases in their homes to balance their everyday stress. People relax everywhere and with style. Wellness has entered all areas of life and living – there is no escaping wellness. We are almost run down by the wellness boom. Wellness is no longer just a trend towards psychological and physical well-being, but rather a strong marketing tool. Without wellness – so it seems – no innovations are possible.

This is similar in the field of light: light is an important, immaterial design characteristic and has also become a wellness element. With the introduction of LED technology everything has become lit: walls, shelves, seats, wardrobes, and tables.

New classics

The tendency to fall back upon classics has become apparent during the last years and results from a constantly accelerating age, in which time itself becomes a precious commodity. In an age in which we are flooded by new information every day, in which we are constantly confronted with new things and findings, we long for things that last; familiar things, security and orientation. In the classics, which can survive time, we find well-tried qualities as well as orientation. The trend goes towards new luxury; the consumers show more interest in durable, high-quality furniture.

From an economic point of view the return to familiar concepts can also be interpreted as reflecting a possible fear of innovation, a lack of ideas or willingness to take risks in a trade. By falling back on classics a trade focuses on safety and well-tried concepts, but deprives itself of real innovations.

Colours, forms and materials 2005

The most exciting trend comes from the field of form: Crystalline-shaped and throne-like chairs are the highlight of this year’s fair. This year, materials present themselves with expressive surfaces: structured fabrics and treated leather are the trend. A clear development can also be seen in the field of colours: This year’s most important colour is a bright, warm green.

The following trend galleries offer you an informative overview and document the international trends 2005 in regards to colours, forms and materials.

To the "Medialisation"  photo gallery