Press Information | January 2015
What are the defining trends of the 2015 season?
The developments that shape our society are reflected in the way we live and furnish our homes.
imm cologne – the international interiors show – will be held in Cologne between 19 and 25 January,
and will forecast trends in the field of home décor for 2015. Members of the Austrian Furniture
Industry will once again be on hand to present the latest trends, demonstrating a keen eye for shape,
colour and materials.
A new level of comfort
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle that characterises the world we live in, we long for time and
space to enjoy some peace and quiet. The home is playing an increasingly important role as a place
of retreat and an antithesis to the stresses of everyday (office) life. It's a place that needs to be made
as cosy as possible – both inside and out. Be it lounge chairs, cushion-laden sofas or cosy seating
designs in the living room, a homely sitting area in the kitchen, a box-spring bed in the bedroom, a
spa-like oasis in the bathroom or a sun lounger on the balcony outside – comfort and well-being are
a major new focus. Every room is being transformed into a haven of relaxation, with the various
areas of the home increasingly merging together, no longer delineated by their functions.
The kitchen as the centre of the home
Most notably, the kitchen is becoming a focal point where family and friends come together. More
than just a place for cooking and dining, it is where people sit together, talk, listen to music or do
homework. Materials, colours and appropriate lighting therefore play an important role. The
overarching idea is to make the kitchen as comfortable as the living room. Nonetheless, cooking of
course remains an important activity that brings family and friends together. Technical features such
as height-adjustable work tops, organiser systems and sound modules are extremely practical; they
make the cooking and housework easy and turn the kitchen into a feel-good part of the home.
Another essential element is the right design. The range of materials on offer encompasses natural
wood, ceramic, stone and even leather, and the mix of colours continues to comprise subtle tones of
white, grey or beige, sometimes combined with radiant tones such as green or blue.
Customised furniture
The range of furniture on offer is so diverse that standardised models barely exist any more.
Individuality is right on trend, as is evident from the way furniture is increasingly being tailored to
individual needs and the growing possibilities to configure or adjust dimensions, colour, functionality,
material and surface. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to home décor. After all,
home décor is an expression of your personality and gives a true insight into your way of life, with
different styles, materials and colours mixed together in boundless combinations. Even a set, for
instance a dining table and chairs in various designs, offers plenty of scope for imagination, while
eye-catching stand-alone pieces add their own unique touch. Selected to suit the time of year and
personal taste, a range of accessories such as vases, pictures, textiles, cushions and carpets complete
the overall design.
Natural and durable
The rapid shift towards digital technology is increasing demand for authenticity, naturalness and
originality. At home we are particularly inclined to surround ourselves with things that are authentic
and tell a story: warm, natural materials that are nice to touch, vibrant and soothe the soul.
Untreated wood, thoroughly tanned leather or textiles made of elegant wool and silk, accompanied
by glass or ceramic, are all popular choices. Besides the materials, colours such as green or brown are
used in various shades to bring nature into the home. This 'natural living' trend goes hand in hand
with a desire for quality and durability. Cheap products that often last just a single season are no
longer in demand. What the market wants is furniture crafted by experts that can be enjoyed for
many years to come. In many cases the craftsman's skill is plain to see, with small, but intricate
details bearing impressive testimony to the great care taken by the people who put their heart and
soul into making the furniture. Such products often become favourite pieces and highly valued, longterm additions to the home.
Technology and convenience
Is it possible to reconcile natural style with modern technology? It certainly is! Technological
advancement is quite simply the way of the world these days and the furniture industry is no
exception. That said, new technologies can be subtlety and inconspicuously integrated into the
interior design, so as to enhance convenience without detracting from aesthetic appeal. The general
trend is towards networking the devices used in the dining room, living room or bedroom so that
they can be controlled from a smartphone. Sofas and other upholstered furniture will also be
presented in 2015 with a number of enhanced functions to ensure ultimate relaxation.
TV units and home entertainment:
Today, televisions and home entertainment systems can be cleverly connected to other devices, such
as games consoles, iPads and Apple TVs. These devices can be accommodated inside a unit where
they are tidily and inconspicuously connected to the television by cables or via a wireless network or
Bluetooth. Large flaps underneath the television allow access to all ports, so that holiday snaps taken
on a digital camera can easily be displayed as a slide show on the TV screen.
Home office:
Well-conceived, detailed solutions are needed to integrate an office environment into your home.
Technical devices and cables can be conveniently stored away and hidden when not in use. And
furniture fitted with clever features such as cable slots and storage compartments can easily
accommodate charging stations for mobile phones, cameras or MP3 players.
Lighting systems:
An increasing number of homes are being fitted with an adjustable lighting system to produce
specific effects for different situations. Motion detectors note when people enter the room and can
turn the light off again when everyone has left, thus helping to save energy. Electronic appliances
and domestic installations can also be linked up inside these 'smart homes'.
Sofas and armchairs:
Thanks to modern technology and pull-out mechanisms, sofas can be folded out in just a matter of
seconds to sleep on either lengthways or sideways, while also offering various features such as
adjustable armrests and footrests. The neck supports, backrests and footrests on reclining chairs can
also be adjusted using motorised control systems to ensure a comfortable sitting position for the
user. In addition, more and more sofas are being fitted with concealed ports for devices such as MP3
players and smartphones.
Colour trends in 2015
2015 will be characterised by vibrant colours such as red, pink, violet, orange and yellow, contrasted
with light turquoise or various shades of blue. If you're after a more subtle look, these colours can be
combined with paler pastel colours such as sky blue, sage, mustard, salmon pink or beige. Tones of
white, ranging from chalk to cream, also go well with black. Two of last year's colours – green and
grey – will continue to play a part in 2015, but this time they are blended to produce tones such as
slate green, seaweed and lime. A dark shade of red or light azure will create a great contrast. An
array of natural colours will also once again be in demand this year. And metallic colours will provide
accents, with copper – a big trend in 2014 – being replaced by the new tones of bronze, silver and
gold.
AURORA in natural water buffalo leather, photo: sedda / Austrian Furniture Industry
Marian, photo: haapo 1910 / Austrian Furniture Industry
Botanic chaise longue, photo: Joka / Austrian Furniture Industry
serie ErgoGlide, photo: ADA / Austrian Furniture Industry
Liv with optional headrest, photo: Wittmann / Austrian Furniture Industry
Adele bed with accessory furniture, photo: Wittmann / Austrian Furniture Industry
pure belt, photo: Viteo / Austrian Furniture Industry
VaoLinee island worktop, photo: TEAM 7 / Austrian Furniture Industry
Lucca kitchen, Photo: Ewe / Austrian Furniture Industry
The Austrian Furniture Industry is part of the Association of the Austrian Wood Industries. It comprises 47
member companies with approximately 6,700 employees. Most of these member companies are medium-sized
and privately-owned enterprises. Furniture ‘made in Austria’ stands for traditional craftsmanship and industrial
precision. They guarantee the consistently high level of quality of this industry’s products. www.moebel.at
Inquiry note
Austrian Furniture Industry
A-1030 Vienna, Schwarzenbergplatz 4
GeSK Agentur für Public Relations
D-10117 Berlin, Ziegelstraße 29
Contact Person
E-Mail
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Phone
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E-Mail
Web
Phone
Fax
Ms. Andrea Steinegger
steinegger@moebel.at
www.moebel.at
+43(0) 1 / 712 26 01
+43(0) 1 / 713 03 09
pr@gesk.info
www.gesk.info
+49(0) 30 / 217 50 460
+49(0) 30 / 217 50 461