05.02.2024
Home and furnishing trends 2024/2025:
Bonn/Cologne. Our home is our anchor. It is our safe place, especially in these uncertain times. Living is our own territory, embedded in our taste, is our individual understanding of our "dwelling". We love being at home, here we can be who we really are. Here there is no etiquette, no fuss, no control, no effort, no one wants everything from us at the same time, here we have peace and absolute security.
In many parts of the world today, we live more beautifully than ever before. Nevertheless, living anywhere in the world is always associated with wishes, hopes and dreams. A little more space, a balcony of our own, rooms with a better layout, a new sofa, a new light, windows with triple glazing or a move to a new part of town, a fitness room, a wellness temple, ... from modest to extravagant, there are always additional dreams of living. "Trends in living are promises of happiness. They don't come about by chance, but are based on ideas that improve our homes and lives," explains Ursula Geismann, Managing Director of Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) and long-time analyst of current living trends. The following foray shows what is, what remains and dares to draw conclusions for the future.
The retreat into one's own four walls continues
There is a strong longing for constants, for peace and quiet and for a better world. Your own home is an excellent shield against crises, a place of confidence and hope. "The home will continue to grow in importance over the next few years," says Geismann. The mid-century-design of the 1940s to 1960s remains a striking feature of the furniture currently on offer. These designs relate to the times, come from a clearer and therefore better era and are as reliable as a good old friend. Delicate upholstered armchairs, small side tables affectionately called coffee-table-book-table, pretty floor lamps and a round flatweave rug fit into a room with a rubber tree and real wood sideboard. Over the decades, the quality of materials has improved significantly. Intelligent fittings, dirt-repellent upholstery fabrics, LED lighting technology, comfortable upholstery, convenient dimensions. Modern furniture is better than it was 70 years ago, even if it looks the same.
The designs of upholstered furniture are also characterized by mid-century alongside evergreen uni. However, the late 1960s with their pop culture patterns and structures have been increasingly coming onto the market for a good two years now. The matching upholstery fabrics are a mixture of flokati and bouclé, which invite you to linger with their visually inviting and tactilely cozy design. However, only some suppliers of home textiles have the courage to use color; most upholstery fabrics are light beige or occasionally in other pastel shades.
What stands out in cabinet furniture, i.e. cupboards, shelves and other storage furniture, is the attempt to revive the so-called Memphis look from the 1980s. Bright colors on small chests of drawers, sideboards or hallway furniture dare to be special. Columns, colorful lace and oblique geometries of different shapes are wild, extravagant and cheerful in furniture. "According to psychologists, colors become more vibrant when the economic situation improves. So it's a good colorful start in the gloomy economic picture of the present," explains Geismann. All in all, however, the next few years will be about color harmony and less about conspicuousness.
Outdoor homing will continue to increase. For years, a lot has been invested in the additional "space in the open air". In addition to the usual equipment issues, shading and irrigation will play a prominent role. Protection from extreme weather and how to deal with it starts on your own balcony. Seating furniture with wind-resistant canopies or solar-powered irrigation systems for herb beds are functional and new.
My Home is my Office - My Office is my Home
The past few years have changed the world of work. Time has been a catalyst for hybrid work concepts. In many jobs, people do their daily work from home and the office is often only used for personal exchanges or creative meetings. Empty office floors are being transformed into homely co-working spaces with a wide range of services. Just as ergonomics and sound insulation play a greater role in the home, the demands for comfort are increasing in the office.
The innovative strength of the furnishing industry is greatest in the kitchen segment. This includes the constant technical optimization of electrical appliances through energy efficiency in water and electricity. "For furniture, this includes individual modular construction, optimized storage space, durable surface finishes, sustainable material selection and the entire ergonomic arrangement, often based on the model of functional kitchens in the catering industry," says the trend analyst. The black trend, which has been popular for kitchen fronts for several years and is almost leveling off again, will spread to other products in the coming years. "The demand for black fridges, black taps and black cutlery is currently on the rise. Black metal frames for sliding doors as room dividers or black light strips under the ceiling are being created in line with the sleek industrial look. Black stands for elegance, timelessness and fascination - and not just in clothing. This trend will increase."
A striking feature of wall designs at the moment are wooden slats or wooden panels mounted vertically. Such murals are available as industrially cut finished products in a wide variety of wood qualities and types. However, with a little manual skill, such regularly spaced slats can also be purchased in the DIY sector and simply attached to the wall at home or to the doors of a boring sideboard. "The vertical regularity radiates calm. The wood makes it homely and cozy," says Geismann. Wood then regulates moisture and sound and scores points as a renewable and ecological material. In addition to gridded slats, full-surface boiserie, the classic wall paneling made of wood or wood veneer, is also making a comeback. In combination with door fronts, preferably as modern block frames, it impresses not only with its homely aesthetics but above all with its thermal insulation. The vertical slat design of furniture elements or walls will increase.
Speaking of natural materials: the growing desire among buyers for sustainable materials is increasing enormously. However, there are currently no signs of an increase in sales of furniture made from solid wood. However, real wood veneer is experiencing a boost in furniture surfaces instead of foils and lacquers. Veneer is the most economical use of real wood. Another plus point that stands out positively against the backdrop of price increases for this natural material.
Smart home and smart living are already relieving residents of unpopular household chores. The robot vacuum cleaner vacuums, the lighting is intelligent, the oven cleans itself, the windows close when you leave the house and the heating regulates the temperature all by itself. Lighting, ventilation, heating, height-adjustable furniture, energy-saving electricity and water, escalation-based emergency detection - all control systems must be combined as benefits with safety and comfort. In the kitchen zone, the focus is then on shopping support, stock management, recipe recommendations, cooking assistance or avoiding food waste. In future, the smart home will simply be a matter of course, just like the flat screen and the fridge.
The imm cologne:
For over 70 years, the world's most renowned furniture and interior design trade fair, the imm cologne, has been taking place in Cologne, right in the heart of Europe. Once again this year, from January 14 to 18, 2024, international exhibitors showcased new products and trends that will go on sale in the interior design trade from spring.
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Astrata Decospan
Black fittings Sachsenküchen
Montana.com
Further information about veneer at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
facebook
linkedin
instagram
Image 1: Inspired by Memphis design, a jagged and colorful style is conquering the homes of tomorrow. Photo: Montana
Image 2: Colorful and multifunctional furniture with Memphis elements for the children's room. Photo: Montana
Image 3: Astrata slats from Decospan can be used to create versatile room concepts. Photo: Decospan
Image 4: Black fittings will be the trend in kitchens and bathrooms in 2024. Photo: Sachsenküchen
Image 5: Intelligent and networked, digitally controlled applications are becoming increasingly important in the home. Photo: IFN
February 5, 2024
Home and furnishing trends 2024/2025:
Ideas that improve the way we live
Bonn/Cologne. Our home is our anchor. It is our safe place, especially in these uncertain times. Living is our own territory, embedded in our taste, is our individual understanding of our "dwelling". We love being at home, here we can be who we really are. Here there is no etiquette, no fuss, no control, no effort, no one wants everything from us at the same time, here we have peace and absolute security.
In many parts of the world today, we live more beautifully than ever before. Nevertheless, living anywhere in the world is always associated with wishes, hopes and dreams. A little more space, a balcony of our own, rooms with a better layout, a new sofa, a new light, windows with triple glazing or a move to a new part of town, a fitness room, a wellness temple, ... from modest to extravagant, there are always additional dreams of living. "Trends in living are promises of happiness. They don't come about by chance, but are based on ideas that improve our homes and lives," explains Ursula Geismann, Managing Director of Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) and long-time analyst of current living trends. The following foray shows what is, what remains and dares to draw conclusions for the future.
The retreat into one's own four walls continues
There is a strong longing for constants, for peace and quiet and for a better world. Your own home is an excellent shield against crises, a place of confidence and hope. "The home will continue to grow in importance over the next few years," says Geismann. The mid-century-design of the 1940s to 1960s remains a striking feature of the furniture currently on offer. These designs relate to the times, come from a clearer and therefore better era and are as reliable as a good old friend. Delicate upholstered armchairs, small side tables affectionately called coffee-table-book-table, pretty floor lamps and a round flatweave rug fit into a room with a rubber tree and real wood sideboard. Over the decades, the quality of materials has improved significantly. Intelligent fittings, dirt-repellent upholstery fabrics, LED lighting technology, comfortable upholstery, convenient dimensions. Modern furniture is better than it was 70 years ago, even if it looks the same.
The designs of upholstered furniture are also characterized by mid-century alongside evergreen uni. However, the late 1960s with their pop culture patterns and structures have been increasingly coming onto the market for a good two years now. The matching upholstery fabrics are a mixture of flokati and bouclé, which invite you to linger with their visually inviting and tactilely cozy design. However, only some suppliers of home textiles have the courage to use color; most upholstery fabrics are light beige or occasionally in other pastel shades.
What stands out in cabinet furniture, i.e. cupboards, shelves and other storage furniture, is the attempt to revive the so-called Memphis look from the 1980s. Bright colors on small chests of drawers, sideboards or hallway furniture dare to be special. Columns, colorful lace and oblique geometries of different shapes are wild, extravagant and cheerful in furniture. "According to psychologists, colors become more vibrant when the economic situation improves. So it's a good colorful start in the gloomy economic picture of the present," explains Geismann. All in all, however, the next few years will be about color harmony and less about conspicuousness.
Outdoor homing will continue to increase. For years, a lot has been invested in the additional "space in the open air". In addition to the usual equipment issues, shading and irrigation will play a prominent role. Protection from extreme weather and how to deal with it starts on your own balcony. Seating furniture with wind-resistant canopies or solar-powered irrigation systems for herb beds are functional and new.
My Home is my Office - My Office is my Home
The past few years have changed the world of work. Time has been a catalyst for hybrid work concepts. In many jobs, people do their daily work from home and the office is often only used for personal exchanges or creative meetings. Empty office floors are being transformed into homely co-working spaces with a wide range of services. Just as ergonomics and sound insulation play a greater role in the home, the demands for comfort are increasing in the office.
The innovative strength of the furnishing industry is greatest in the kitchen segment. This includes the constant technical optimization of electrical appliances through energy efficiency in water and electricity. "For furniture, this includes individual modular construction, optimized storage space, durable surface finishes, sustainable material selection and the entire ergonomic arrangement, often based on the model of functional kitchens in the catering industry," says the trend analyst. The black trend, which has been popular for kitchen fronts for several years and is almost leveling off again, will spread to other products in the coming years. "The demand for black fridges, black taps and black cutlery is currently on the rise. Black metal frames for sliding doors as room dividers or black light strips under the ceiling are being created in line with the sleek industrial look. Black stands for elegance, timelessness and fascination - and not just in clothing. This trend will increase."
A striking feature of wall designs at the moment are wooden slats or wooden panels mounted vertically. Such murals are available as industrially cut finished products in a wide variety of wood qualities and types. However, with a little manual skill, such regularly spaced slats can also be purchased in the DIY sector and simply attached to the wall at home or to the doors of a boring sideboard. "The vertical regularity radiates calm. The wood makes it homely and cozy," says Geismann. Wood then regulates moisture and sound and scores points as a renewable and ecological material. In addition to gridded slats, full-surface boiserie, the classic wall paneling made of wood or wood veneer, is also making a comeback. In combination with door fronts, preferably as modern block frames, it impresses not only with its homely aesthetics but above all with its thermal insulation. The vertical slat design of furniture elements or walls will increase.
Speaking of natural materials: the growing desire among buyers for sustainable materials is increasing enormously. However, there are currently no signs of an increase in sales of furniture made from solid wood. However, real wood veneer is experiencing a boost in furniture surfaces instead of foils and lacquers. Veneer is the most economical use of real wood. Another plus point that stands out positively against the backdrop of price increases for this natural material.
Smart home and smart living are already relieving residents of unpopular household chores. The robot vacuum cleaner vacuums, the lighting is intelligent, the oven cleans itself, the windows close when you leave the house and the heating regulates the temperature all by itself. Lighting, ventilation, heating, height-adjustable furniture, energy-saving electricity and water, escalation-based emergency detection - all control systems must be combined as benefits with safety and comfort. In the kitchen zone, the focus is then on shopping support, stock management, recipe recommendations, cooking assistance or avoiding food waste. In future, the smart home will simply be a matter of course, just like the flat screen and the fridge.
The imm cologne:
For over 70 years, the world's most renowned furniture and interior design trade fair, the imm cologne, has been taking place in Cologne, right in the heart of Europe. Once again this year, from January 14 to 18, 2024, international exhibitors showcased new products and trends that will go on sale in the interior design trade from spring.
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Astrata Decospan
Black fittings Sachsenküchen
Montana.com
Further information about veneer at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
Image 1: Inspired by Memphis design, a jagged and colorful style is conquering the homes of tomorrow. Photo: Montana
Image 2: Colorful and multifunctional furniture with Memphis elements for the children's room. Photo: Montana
Image 3: Astrata slats from Decospan can be used to create versatile room concepts. Photo: Decospan
Image 4: Black fittings will be the trend in kitchens and bathrooms in 2024. Photo: Sachsenküchen
Image 5: Intelligent and networked, digitally controlled applications are becoming increasingly important in the home. Photo: IFN
February 5, 2024
Image 1: Inspired by Memphis design, a jagged and colorful style is conquering the homes of tomorrow. Photo: Montana
Image 2: Colorful and multifunctional furniture with Memphis elements for the children's room. Photo: Montana
Image 3: Astrata slats from Decospan can be used to create versatile room concepts. Photo: Decospan
Image 4: Black fittings will be the trend in kitchens and bathrooms in 2024. Photo: Sachsenküchen
Image 5: Intelligent and networked, digitally controlled applications are becoming increasingly important in the home. Photo: IFN