idd cologne 2025 Gives up the Halls and Moves to Cologne City Center - The World's First Urban 100% Furniture Exhibition

In October 2025, Cologne will become the first city in the world to host a fully urban interior design fair, transforming the historic city center into an exhibition stage for Europe's most prestigious furniture brands.

The Cologne Interior Design Days (idd cologne) aims to rewrite the rules of the industry by completely abandoning the traditional exhibition halls in favor of a totally innovative approach: transforming the city itself into a show platform for luxury furniture.

An Unprecedented Paradigm Shift

Between October 26 and 29, 2025, Cologne will experience the most ambitious transformation of an international furniture fair in recent history. idd cologne 2025 will completely abandon the traditional concept of a hall exhibition, moving the entire event to the heart of the city, to carefully selected design locations.

"Interior design thrives on proximity, inspiration and cultural context"explains Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. "With idd cologne as the first 'exclusively urban' format, we are responding to the industry's current needs and getting even closer to the heart of the city, its creative scene and its people."

This strategic decision comes against the backdrop of an industry looking for new ways to connect with professional audiences and end consumers in a more authentic way that is closer to the reality in which products are naturally used.

Emblematic Locations for Exceptional Brands

The center of the new urban concept will be Design Post Cologne, located at Deutz-Mülheimer Straße 22a, a year-round showroom and meeting space for international design brands. Koelnmesse and Design Post have recently signed an official cooperation agreement - a strategic partnership that celebrates its launch with idd cologne.

For the first time ever, idd cologne will use this unique venue in the heart of Cologne as a central stage, opening up the space for high-quality brand presentations in an inspiring setting. Currently, 35 prestigious companies have signed up to showcase their creations on over 3,500 square meters.

Join Design Post, Stoff-Pavillon Moeller, a former textile showroom designed in 1952 by the architect Wilhelm Riphahn, was also chosen as an exhibition venue. The listed building is one of the architectural landmarks of post-war modernism in Cologne and provides a unique stage for design-oriented presentations.

Industry Responds with Enthusiasm

Industry response to the concept has been extremely positive. Leo Lübke, President of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) and Managing Director of CORhe adds: "The industry's need for a strong platform with international appeal for interior design remains unchanged. The fact that Koelnmesse, our long-standing partner, continues to work with us to develop the concept sends an important signal to the market."

The diverse participation of the Cologne design scene demonstrates the breadth of this initiative. Over 25 partners - from established furniture stores and creative pop-up concepts to showrooms and other design hotspots - will be taking part in the inaugural interior design days. They include Biomöbel Johannes Genske, Bretz Store, denisoberender, Eiting Räume, Goldkant, Gottfried Becker, Jan Kath, machwerkhaus köln, Markanto Depot, Qvest Shop, Smow, Stoll Wohnbedarf + Objekt and Vianden.

Urban and Industrial Synergy

idd cologne's modern "exclusively urban" concept aims to bring high-quality interior design solutions to the places where industry professionals, creatives, retailers and end customers meet - right in the heart of the vibrant design hub that is Cologne.

This fusion of exhibitor presentations and flagship stores will open up new opportunities and provide a holistic brand experience that will make Cologne a focal point for interior design during idd cologne.

A Lesson from the History of Industrial Design

This transformation reminds us of the constant evolution of the furniture industry and how it adapts to the times. As we said in my previous article about idd cologne, this initiative complemented the landscape of international premium design fairs, focusing on the residential, hotel and contract segments.

The current urban concept is a natural evolution of this initial vision, responding directly to the challenges of a changing industry looking for new ways to connect with the market in a more authentic and more real-life way.

The future of interior design is being written in Cologne

With its integration into the urban environment, idd cologne aims to stimulate new synergies and provide a holistic brand experience that transforms Cologne into a focal point for interior design. Combining exhibitors' presentations with flagship stores will open up new opportunities and create a complete brand experience that will render the authenticity of interior design in its natural context of use.

Further details about locations, participating brands and the accompanying program will be announced soon, but what is already clear is that idd cologne 2025 will mark a turning point in the history of interior design fairs, demonstrating that innovation in the furniture industry does not stop at the products, but extends to the ways in which they are presented and experienced by the public.

For four days in October, Cologne is set to become the world capital of urban interior design - an absolute premiere that will be closely watched by the entire international industry.