New partnership between idd cologne and Design Season Cologne

Cologne will become the meeting point of the international design scene in the autumn of 2026

idd cologne and Design Season Cologne are joining forces: together with ORGATEC, taking place parallel, a unique design and interiors week is coming into being at the end of October 2026. 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 successful premiere in 2025, idd cologne is taking place in a second edition from 27 to 31 October 2026 as an "urban-only" format. Parallel with this, a new, citywide design festival is starting with the Design Season Cologne from 26 to 31 October 2026. The core of the cooperation 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.

"Cologne will become the meeting point of the European design scene in October 2026. The cooperation 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", says Alexander Caspari, Senior Manager Trade Fair idd cologne.

Robin Hapelt, initiator of Design Season Cologne, adds: "The cooperation 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: premium interior design in the urban space

idd cologne is taking place in 2026 in the Design Post Köln, the machwerkhaus köln as well as in participating showrooms and stores throughout the entire city area. The focus is on high-quality interiors solutions, trends, materials and design concepts for the private living space. idd cologne is oriented to both a trade public and to 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.

Design Season Cologne: design festival throughout the entire city

Design Season Cologne expands the offering of idd cologne with related design fields, product innovations and new design approaches. The new format is organised by Thomas Fasshauer and his Chicos Event agency. Studios, companies, designers and brands as well as creatives present products, concepts and innovations in various design districts throughout the city. In addition to exhibitions and curated projects, brand appearances can be experienced outside of classic showrooms – at architecturally special places, in cultural institutions, temporary spaces and selected off-locations.

Added value for showrooms and store partners

For participating showrooms and store partners, the cooperation offers a variety of advantages: increased reach and visibility, access to additional trade and private visitors, integration into the official communication of both events as well as the possibility to be part of a high-quality, international design environment. Interested showrooms and stores are invited to actively help shape the design programme in Cologne with their participation.

Contact idd cologne

Sandra Miller

VIP Account Manager Interiors

s.miller(at)koelnmesse.de

Contact Design Season Cologne

Andreas Linek

Project Manager

al(at)designseasoncologne.com