IDD Cologne 2025 premiered this fall as the new interior design event to complement the long running trade fair mothership of IMM in January and its alternative urban off-show, Passagen. Whilst organized by Koelnmesse, the century-old giant of Germany's expo world, IDD itself is a new decentralized urban affair, held at design locations throughout the city and focussing on premium brands.

I spent some time at Design Post, the show's unofficial nerve center, where a few refreshingly interactive pieces where on show, and lectures, panels and workshops let the visitors get involved.

Designpost Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Design Post sits in a former post-and-freight depot from 1913, now repurposed as one of Cologne's most distinctive design hubs.

Cabrio by Extremis. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

A crowd-favourite was Cabrio by Belgian brand Extremis, inspired by convertible cars.

Cabrio by Extremis. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

The soft top of the two-seater outdoor sofa closes to give shelter and privacy, also somewhat similar to a covered chairlift.

Cabrio by Extremis. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Potentially the most fun marketing add-on of the expo were the vintage "Scenery Simulators", letting visitors enjoy sofa perspectives from around the world, on the moon, and with a bear sitting next to them.

Surfbench by Kim André Lange. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Another stunning interactive piece was Surfbench by German designer Kim André Lange. The wooden ribs convert playful kinetic energy into a beautifully organic wave motion that makes the bench come alive like a sea slug.

Surfbench by Kim André Lange. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

As an added effect of the meticulous design and engineering, the bench can be used flexibly from both sides, without the wave movement being perceptible by the people sitting on it.

Wagner Design Lab at IDD Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

German chair company Wagner had a big space inside Design Post, enhanced by a mini airstream caravan outside that was converted into a tiny hotel room.

Wagner Design Lab at IDD Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

The caravan showed off their modular interior systems and the Nesting Sofa, which can be opened and closed to adjust the desired amount of interaction with the outside world.

Wagner Design Lab at IDD Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

The interactive idea was carried on in shelf components reminiscent of Verner Panton…

Wagner Design Lab at IDD Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

…And the 3D-printed W3D rocking stools designed with Hadi Teherani, aiming to improve back health.

Hannes Bäuerle of Material Bank. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

The most crowded event was the completely booked-out lecture and workshop about Material Trends with Hannes Bäuerle of Material Bank, in collaboration with Dornbracht. Trend predictions ranged from Sensual Rawness and Techno Poetry to Neo Nature, Circularity, Tactile Statements and Emotional Colours.

Hannes Bäuerle of Material Bank. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Workshop participants (mostly architects, interior designers and students) were tasked with assembling material systems for hotels and explaining and defending their choices to the audience.

Hannes Bäuerle of Material Bank. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Tom Dixon lighting. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Last but not least, lighting claimed its space at the exhibition, led by Tom Dixon's iconic lamps that have had some structural, material and texture updates like frosted glass, textile and ribbed surfaces.

Tom Dixon lighting. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Tom Dixon lighting. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Quasar Lum Leather Wall Lamp. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Dutch lighting brand Quasar showed their Lum Leather Wall Lamp and Moonlight Suspension.

Adilo by Secto Design. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Secto Design from Finland, who hand-craft wooden lamps, presented their newest model Adilo, made from ultra-thin birch plywood with an innovative fold-out structure,

Design Post Cologne. Photo by Anki Delfmann.

Looking forward to see what the future will bring for this brand new design event – in Europe and overseas!

Ed. Note: Check out this short video postcard to get a feel of the scene:

Design Postcard video of Interior Design Days Cologne