As the international furniture industry looks ahead to a new business cycle, imm cologne 2026 opens the year with a clear focus on relevance, sourcing efficiency, and market reality. Taking place from 20 to 23 January 2026, the reconceptualised Interior Business Event will welcome professionals from across the global furniture value chain to Cologne, with World of Interiors as its guiding theme.
Spanning approximately 53,000 square metres of exhibition space, the fair will bring together more than 330 exhibitors from 25 countries, showcasing furnishing solutions from entry-level to mid-range. Firmly positioned as a B2B sourcing platform, imm cologne 2026 aims to offer clear orientation, strong comparability, and practical value for purchasing decision-makers navigating a rapidly changing market.
“The current market situation poses immense challenges for many companies, making it all the more important to have a platform that responds to this reality and presents tangible potential. That is exactly the kind of forum that we’re creating with imm cologne 2026: internationally oriented, clearly B2B-focused and closely geared to the needs of a consumer-oriented market,” says Bernd Sanden, imm cologne’s director. “In January, Cologne will be transformed into a crucial gathering for sourcing, exchanging ideas and sound decision-making on the make-up of ranges.”
A redefined role for a changing market
The German furniture industry has also welcomed imm cologne’s updated positioning, recognising the shifting dynamics of both the furniture and trade fair landscapes.
“It’s not just the furniture landscape that has changed – the trade fair landscape has evolved as well. With its new concept, imm cologne covers the currently highly price-sensitive market, while idd cologne represents the premium segment,” says Jan Kurth, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM). “Our intention is for German-made furniture from the mid-range and high-end segments to be as broadly represented as possible in Cologne.”
A diverse array of global exhibitors to appear in Cologne
An extensive international line-up will travel to Cologne for imm cologne 2026. Confirmed exhibitors from 25 countries include manufacturers, distributors, and OEM specialists, underlining the event’s role as a global sourcing hub.
Asian companies will be particularly well represented, with China emerging as a key player. This reflects changing supplier relationships: while Asian manufacturers increasingly seek access to European markets, distributors are reassessing their sourcing strategies. In this context, imm cologne positions itself as the intersection where global procurement meets range design.
To further strengthen its international scope, the fair will host national pavilions from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Japan, Romania, Taiwan, and Turkey, each presenting curated selections of national brands.
The full overview of exhibitors is available online at:
www.imm-cologne.com/imm-cologne-exhibitors/list-of-exhibitors
Decision-makers are well represented among visitors
On the visitor side, imm cologne 2026 expects strong attendance from key players across the international furniture trade. Target groups include purchasing associations, retail chains, wholesalers, specialist retailers, e-commerce companies, and mail-order businesses.
Companies expected to attend include Begros, emob, Fabrics, Furniture Row, IKEA, JYSK, Next, OTTO, porta, Segmüller, Westwing, and XXXLutz, reinforcing the event’s role as a serious business platform for sourcing and decision-making.
European offerings meet international sourcing
The hall layout for imm cologne 2026 has been carefully structured to reflect current market needs. European home and upholstered furniture will be presented in Halls 10.1 and 10.2, while international sourcing and OEMs specialising in seating, tables, and compact home furnishing solutions will be located in Halls 4.2 and 5.2.
By grouping clearly structured ranges and related showcases within close proximity, the fair caters to diverse trading models—from large-scale bricks-and-mortar retailers to online-only players—making navigation efficient and comparisons straightforward.
Koelnmesse – Global inspiration for living, contract and public spaces
Koelnmesse is the world’s leading trade fair organiser for Living, Contract, and Public Spaces. Alongside imm cologne and idd cologne (interior design days cologne), the Cologne trade fair hub hosts internationally renowned events such as ORGATEC, interzum, FSB, spoga+gafa, and aquanale. Together, these formats cover interiors, furniture production, kitchen design, modern work environments, garden lifestyle, public spaces, sports and leisure facilities, and wellness.
Beyond Cologne, Koelnmesse continues to expand globally. The imm brand family includes imm india and La Feria De Diseño Medellín – powered by imm cologne. ORGATEC has established a global footprint with editions in Tokyo, India, and Saudi Arabia, while interzum is present in Guangzhou, Bogotá, Jakarta, and Italy. The FSB brand is also active internationally, including events in Riyadh and Bergamo.
