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Top-Möbelausstellungen und Messen in Deutschland

Top furniture exhibitions and trade fairs in Germany

by Anna Schmidt

A furniture fair is the perfect place to find inspiration for your own four walls, to delve deeper into the topic of interior design or to present your company at its best. In this article, we take you to the best furniture exhibitions in Germany and visit cities such as Cologne, Munich and Berlin.

Importance of furniture exhibitions

Furniture exhibitions are lively showcases for cleverly thought-out design, craftsmanship and innovative ideas. A professional furniture fair combines tried and tested classics with the latest trends. This makes it the ideal contact point and source of inspiration for designers, architects and interior decorators. But anyone who wants to redesign their home can also discover furnishing highlights at trade fairs.

Historical overview

The roots of furniture exhibitions go back to the 19th century. They began as important platforms for craftsmen and furniture manufacturers who were looking for an opportunity to showcase their art. Later, at the time of the Industrial Revolution, the industry underwent a transformation: individual pieces made by hand were supplemented by machine-produced series products. Thanks to this development, public interest in design and functionality increased, leading to the first international furniture exhibitions.

Why are furniture exhibitions important?

Furniture displays combine various functions and advantages. We will show you what these are:

Innovation and trends

A furniture trade fair is perfect for an exchange between manufacturers and specialists. This in turn promotes further development within the industry and provides important food for thought in areas such as sustainability or technical innovation.

Networking opportunities

Furniture exhibitions offer designers the opportunity to introduce their work to a wide audience. In this way, trends can be set and a new potential clientele gained. It also encourages dialogue between the creative professionals themselves.

Inspiration for your own projects

Anyone with a private interest in furnishings and design will find countless ideas at a furniture fair. Whether it’s for projects within your own four walls or for important events – here you will find extravagant eye-catchers, the perfect event furniture and much more.

IMM Cologne

IMM Cologne Köln

IMM Cologne takes place here every year, where around 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries present their products and ideas. Major brands are represented as well as smaller designers and newcomers. The following exhibition areas await you at the Cologne trade fair:

  • Pure: A curated area that focuses on high-calibre design and concentrates on avant-garde furniture and new trends.
  • Home: A business platform for the global furnishing industry. Here you will find a wide range of products from trendy interior solutions to sophisticated living comfort.
  • Sleep: The Sleep area is dedicated to real sleep innovations and presents the cleverest sleep systems, from mattresses to box-spring or waterbeds to high-quality accessories.

Overall, the various theme worlds at Möbel Messe Köln cover the entire furnishing spectrum. In addition to the exhibitions, IMM Cologne also hosts numerous lectures, discussion panels and networking events that provide valuable insights into the future of living.

Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW) - Munich

Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW) (München)

Around 70,000 visitors come to Munich every year to be inspired by the Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW). As one of the largest design events, it brings together creative professionals, companies and interested parties and encourages dialogue on forward-looking design, innovation and social issues.

MCBW is divided into two main programmes: ‘CREATE BUSINESS’ is aimed at trade visitors and companies from the creative industries. ‘DESIGN SCHAU!’ invites a wide audience to get to know design in all its exciting facets. From exhibitions and workshops to interactive formats, there is a lot on offer here.

The following interesting topics will be presented at the furniture fair in Munich:

  • Product and furniture design
  • Communication design and visual design
  • Architecture and urban planning
  • Fashion and textile design
  • Sustainability and innovative materials
  • Digital transformation and user experience design
  • Art and culture

ISH Frankfurt on the Main

ISH Frankfurt am Main

ISH in Frankfurt is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for water, heating and air conditioning. Every two years, it focuses on innovative building technology, energy-efficient heating and air conditioning solutions and sustainable water management. This trade fair is also divided into two exhibition areas:

Water (ISH Water)

  • Sanitary installations
  • Bathroom design and wellness
  • Sustainable water utilisation and waste water solutions

Energy and Climate (ISH Energy)

  • Heating technology (renewable energies, boilers, heat pumps)
  • Air conditioning, ventilation systems and refrigeration technology
  • Building automation and energy management
  • Smart home technologies

The trade fair normally lasts five days. The first few days are usually reserved for trade visitors, while private visitors are also granted access later on.

Designers' Open Leipzig

Designers Open Leipzig

The next stop is a furniture fair in Leipzig – the annual Designers’ Open awaits you here in October. It is centred around design, architecture and fashion and presents both established designers and young newcomer talents. There are four main areas:

DO/Interior & Furniture

Innovative furniture and interior designs as well as room concepts.

DO/Fashion & Accessories

Fashion collections, accessories and textile design.

DO/Research & Industry

Design research and material innovations.

DO/Graphic & Media

Communication design, graphics and visual design.

In addition to the various exhibitions, you can attend lectures and discussions or take part in a variety of workshops.

East Westphalia Furniture Fair - Bad Salzuflen

In spring and autumn, Möbel Messe Ostwestfalen invites visitors to Bad Salzuflen. This is aimed exclusively at trade visitors – for example furniture retailers, purchasing associations, furniture manufacturers and interior designers. The focus is on the areas of living room, upholstered and bedroom furniture, while topics such as sustainability and smart living are also given space. What makes it special: At the Ostwestfalen furniture fair, orders can be placed directly on site – it is a so-called order fair.

Orgatec Cologne

Orgatec Köln

Orgatec in Cologne covers all relevant areas of the modern working world. This furniture trade fair is regarded as an important platform for innovations and trends in workplace design and office and contract furnishing.

Exhibition areas:

  • Office furniture and furnishing systems
  • Lighting systems
  • Acoustics
  • Floor coverings
  • Technology and media technology
  • Health in the workplace
  • Contract furnishings

Regional specialities and smaller trade fairs

In addition to the large, well-known events, there are also smaller, regional trade fairs. They also offer plenty of inspiration!

SHK+E (Essen)

SHK+E Essen

Sanitation, heating, air conditioning and renewable energies – SHK+E in Essen covers all of these areas. The trade fair is regarded as an important meeting place for professionals and focuses on forward-looking and sustainable solutions for building technology. Around 40,000 visitors come to Essen every year to learn more here.

Style & Art Berlin

Stil & Art Berlin

Die Stil & Art Messe in Berlin steht für gehobenes Wohndesign und zeitgenössische Kunst. Sie findet jährlich im Oktober auf dem Messegelände Berlin statt und zieht sowohl Fachpublikum als auch designinteressierte Privatpersonen an. Rund 200 Aussteller präsentieren hier Möbel, Wohnaccessoires, Designobjekte und Kunstwerke.

Interior & Design Hamburg

Interieur & Design (Hamburg)

Anyone with a passion for contemporary furniture design and interior design is in the right place at the Interieur & Design trade fair in Hamburg. Every September, the latest trends and customised furnishing solutions are presented by around 150 exhibitors.

Blickfang (Stuttgart, Hamburg, Basel)

Blickfang (Stuttgart, Hamburg, Basel)

The international design fair Blickfang invites you to discover extraordinary home accessories, fashion and furniture at three locations. The exhibits presented by independent designers are curated with the utmost care.

Planning your visit

We have put together some planning tips for you so that you can concentrate fully on the exciting impressions during your visit to the trade fair.

Tips for preparing for the trade fair

A few important points should be clarified before you go to the furniture fair. We will show you what these are below:

Travel and accommodation

Organising travel and accommodation in good time is essential for successful trade fair planning. Make sure you find out about transport connections to the trade fair in good time. Many events offer special shuttle services or discounted rates for public transport. To avoid long journeys, your accommodation should be close to the trade fair. However, as these are quickly booked out, it is worth booking as early as possible. Alternatively, flats or business hotels in the city centre are available.

Tickets and registration

When it comes to furniture trade fair tickets, it is often worth buying online as early as possible. Many trade fairs offer early booking discounts or special conditions for trade visitors. After registering, you will usually receive access to a digital visitor platform. Here you can get an overview of the exhibition grounds, familiarise yourself with the supporting programme or arrange appointments with exhibitors.

Time management

To make the most of your time at the trade fair, it is advisable to draw up a visit plan: Make a note of the exhibitors and events that you definitely want to visit. It is also a good idea to set time slots for specialist presentations, workshops or discussion rounds.

Networking and making contacts

A furniture trade fair is the perfect place to make contacts within the industry. Here are our best tips for networking!

Networking tips

  • Plan targeted meetings with exhibitors or potential partners.
  • Take an active part in workshops and presentations
  • Use special networking events to make contacts.


Business cards and digital contacts

  • Have enough business cards ready to make a lasting impression in meetings.
  • Maintain your social media presence to make yourself visible.
  • Contact new acquaintances after the trade fair (e.g. via LinkedIn or email) to maintain the connection or secure possible collaborations.
Tipps für den nachhaltigen Messebesuch
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Tips for a sustainable trade fair visit

Sustainability is also becoming more important in the furniture industry and trade fairs. We explain what you need to know about this topic.

Focus on sustainability

Making your own trade fair visit as sustainable as possible is not that difficult if you keep a few points in mind.

Environmentally friendly journey

Depending on the furniture trade fair, environmentally friendly travel is increasingly being promoted. For example, there are often discounts for travelling by bus or train. Some events also offer shuttle services. Sustainable mobility is also promoted through incentives such as bicycle parking or car-sharing options.

Sustainable exhibitors

More and more exhibitors are keen to promote sustainability. Increasingly, furniture is being presented that is manufactured in an environmentally friendly way – for example by using sustainable, recycled materials. Certified and fairly produced products are also becoming more important.

Avoiding waste

Avoiding waste at the furniture fair? This is also possible: many organisers encourage exhibitors to avoid disposable products and use recyclable materials when setting up their stands. Digital trade fair documents and waste separation systems are also used.

Future trends and developments

When it comes to the future of furniture trade fairs, certain trends are emerging. We reveal what you can expect in the future.

Virtual trade fairs

Whether 3D product presentations, live chats or virtual showrooms – virtual trade fairs are on the rise. They increase the reach of events, while at the same time reducing travel and transport emissions.

Hybrid events

As the name suggests, hybrid events combine the best of physical and virtual trade fairs. Visitors can discover exhibiting companies on site at the furniture trade fair and take advantage of digital offerings such as online presentations or webinars at the same time. This also increases the reach of the events.

Innovative materials

Sustainable and recyclable materials such as mushroom mycelium, bioplastics or upcycled materials offer ecological benefits and open up new, diverse design possibilities.

Would you like to delve even deeper into the world of furniture or do you have any questions about furniture trade fairs? Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment. We will be happy to help you!

Anna Schmidt

Meet Anna Schmidt, our furniture design expert. Discover her inspirations and tips for stylish and functional furniture – click to learn more!

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