interzum Trend Stage: insights with added value

“In today’s world nothing seems certain – and the same goes for the world of interior design: everything is changing,” says trend expert Kathrin de Louw. With her agency TRENDFILTER®, she is organising part of the interzum Trend Stage programme. De Louw herself will share her predictions for how furniture concepts might evolve by 2030 and present fresh ideas in terms of design and function. New furniture archetypes are being designed to meet changing social needs – for example, products that are easy to repair and adapt, so that they can last a lifetime. Redefining design for the home is therefore another of the presentation topics.

An analysis of social change also helps to determine new colour trends. On the interzum Trend Stage, trend researchers and colour consultants will reveal the shades that are expected to grow in popularity in 2026 and beyond. Among other things, they will offer a new perspective on colours for an increasingly complex world. The “RAL Colour Feeling 2026+” trend report is another source of inspiration for companies and designers facing decisions on colour choices. Its palette of on-trend colours makes it easier to combine and use colours creatively.

The European Commission recently published its first working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The mandatory introduction of the Digital Product Passport will enable information about the origin, use and disposal of furniture to be stored in one place in the future. Proactive companies can use it to differentiate themselves in an increasingly digitalised and environmentally aware market and secure long-term advantages. The interzum Trend Stage will therefore highlight the current legal framework and the key data in Digital Product Passports, as well as presenting a number of real-life examples.

Bio-based raw materials play a central role in circular product life cycles when it comes to furniture and interior construction. The interzum Trend Stage will provide an overview of current research and product maturity in this area. Among the innovations to be presented will be petroleum-free alternatives to conventional materials, including a foam derived from seaweed and a biopolymer made from organic waste. Attendees will also learn how using bio-based resins in HPL can improve resource efficiency. Acoustic panels manufactured from cellulose or seagrass will further illustrate the shift from synthetic to bio-based circular materials.

Wood continues to undergo further development as a material for furniture and interior construction. Thanks to industrial 3D printing, customised wooden components can now be prefabricated with the utmost precision, making it possible to realise complex and one-off designs efficiently. Using leftover scraps of wood for 3D printing is another efficient solution. In addition to presenting innovations related to this process, speakers on the interzum Trend Stage will also showcase sustainable solutions for wood-based materials, such as new fungus-based adhesives.

Global efforts are also leading to more sustainable solutions in the mattress and upholstered furniture industry. The interzum Trend Stage promotes international knowledge sharing and will provide insights into the latest initiatives and cutting-edge research. Work in this segment aims to improve the recyclability of mattresses, increase the recovery of materials and develop new solutions for discarded products. Speakers will also explain how the materials chosen for home textiles can affect the environment and human health.

The interzum Trend Stage also offers inspiration and added value for day-to-day business. Topics in the spotlight will include the potential that diversity can offer when it comes to commercial success and how a style advice tool based on psychological principles can be used to retain customers. Other talks will explain strategies that can help manufacturers and retailers to reduce the costs of returns. Easy-to-implement recycling processes will also be presented, along with the latest case studies on how to engage with new customer groups by using furniture microbrands.

From 20 to 23 May 2025, the interzum Trend Stage will showcase the building blocks of tomorrow’s furniture and interiors. Located at the northern end of the trade fair boulevard, it will feature a wide range of content that is highly relevant to the industry. The programme will pool all the key information, giving visitors the opportunity to learn all there is to know about the most important topics and discuss insights with other industry professionals. The talks and panel discussions will be held in both German and English, with translation provided. The complete programme of future-oriented trends and developments can be found here .