The dual event hosted about 138,000 visitors from 128 countries, they reported. The Living Kitchen event, newly added to the Cologne fair this year, showcased kitchen furniture, appliances, sinks, worktops, lighting and accessories.

"It was by far the best furniture fair we've had in the last 10 years: more visitors, more contracts signed and an excellent mood. An excellent start to the 2011 furniture year for our national furniture industry and a huge success for Koelnmesse," said Dirk Uwe Klaas, CEO of the Assn. of the German Furniture Industry.

According to a press release, 1,213 companies from 48 countries participated in the Imm Cologne/Living- Kitchen 2011. They included 521 exhibitors and 32 additionally represented companies from Germany, as well as 614 exhibitors and 46 additionally represented companies from abroad. Foreign companies accounted for 54% of exhibitors.

All the figures were calculated according to the guidelines of the Society for the Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics.

Organizers reported three prominent trends in products seen at Cologne:

Plain colors were popular in upholstery, with colorful stripes or abstract graphics used as accents. White remains popular. In leather upholstery, thick, barely treated natural leathers were particularly popular.

LED lighting technology was prominently used in wardrobes, wall units, sideboards and display cabinets.

Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in furniture construction. Wood is gaining popularity among chairs and loungers and as a visible component of sofas. A number of items featured untreated oak, sometimes with bark.

The next Imm Cologne will be held Jan. 16-22, 2012.