This October, German trade fairs idd cologne and Design Season Cologne are coming together with Orgatec, to deliver "a unique design and interiors week" is coming into being at the end of October 2026.
Organiser Koelnmesse says the goal of the partnership is to "more closely link the trade fair, the city and the creative scene with one another and to sustainably reinforce Cologne as an international design location".
Following its premiere in 2025, idd cologne is returning from 27th-31st October as an "urban-only" format. Parallel with this, a new, citywide design festival is starting with Design Season Cologne from 26th-31st October. Koelnmesse says the core of the co-operation is "the joint incorporation of selected showrooms and store partners, which links both formats as urban places of experience and creates additional venues for trade visitors, creatives and guests interested in design".
Alexander Caspari, senior manager trade fair, idd cologne, says: "Cologne will become the meeting point of the European design scene in October 2026. The co-operation with Design Season Cologne emphasises the urban orientation of idd cologne and creates more visibility for interior design in the city. Showrooms and store partners are an important component of our event concept. The joint presence in the city and at the trade fair creates additional reach, synergies and real added value for all participants."
Robin Hapelt, the initiator of Design Season Cologne, adds: "The co-operation between idd cologne and Design Season Cologne stands for a new form of design presentation – more open, more diverse and more oriented to experiences. Both formats share the goal of further reinforcing Cologne as an international design city. Together, this results in a diverse platform for design that more closely links the trade fair, the city, the creative scene and international visitors with one another.
idd cologne will take place in the Design Post Köln, the machwerkhaus köln, and participating showrooms and stores throughout the city. Its focus is on high-quality interiors solutions, trends, materials and design concepts for the private living space, and it is open to both the trade and private visitors interested in design.
"With its clear residential orientation, idd cologne complements the offering of Orgatec, taking place at the same time. Together, new synergies arise between the living, work and contract business sectors, thus providing a holistic perspective on the design of professional and private living areas," Koelnmesse concludes.
