Furniture Startups Are Leading Trends at imm cologne: From Renting to Cardboard Innovation
Cologne, Germany — The global furniture industry is undergoing a period of rapid evolution, and at the center of this transformation are dynamic startups creating new trends that resonate with modern consumers. According to imm cologne, the influential international trade fair for furniture and interior design, young companies are no longer fringe participants — they are direction setters shaping how the industry thinks about ownership, customization, and sustainability.
imm cologne’s recent Business Insights article highlights several emerging furniture trends driven by startups, revealing where consumer preferences and industry innovation are aligning as the market moves toward a more flexible, personalized, and eco‑conscious future.
Trend 1: Furniture Renting — Flexibility Over Ownership
One of the most prominent shifts identified by imm cologne is a growing preference for renting over buying, particularly among younger generations. Instead of committing to furniture purchases that may not suit future lifestyles, many consumers — especially millennials and Gen Z — are choosing subscription‑based rental models that provide flexibility and lower upfront costs.
Berlin‑based startup Lyght Living, founded in 2018, exemplifies this trend by offering stylish furniture from well‑known brands on rental plans tailored to the mobile, minimalist lifestyles of young city dwellers. The business was later acquired by FLC Furniture Leasing, bringing its millennial customer base and rental model into a larger operational framework — a sign of mainstream acceptance for this alternative approach.
Furniture rentals appeal not just for flexibility, but also for sustainability, reducing waste and extending the life cycle of products — a priority for environmentally conscious consumers.
Trend 2: Individuality Supersedes Mass Production
Alongside rental models, another wave of startups is focusing on individuality rather than one‑size‑fits‑all furniture. Today’s buyers are trend‑aware and deeply personal in their tastes, often seeking unique pieces that reflect their identity — whether through DIY, bespoke designs, or modular systems that are fully customizable.
Companies like MYCS and Pickawood have transformed this desire for individuality into scalable business models. MYCS provides customers with an online configurator that lets them tailor virtually every aspect of furniture — from dimensions to material and color — while Pickawood uses innovative 3D technology to measure and produce timber furniture to exact user specifications.
Another standout is form.bar, which allows customers to customize not just materials and colors but also shapes, enabling pieces that fit unusual spaces and ergonomic needs. These startups operate with production partners to reduce capital investment while maintaining quality and quick delivery — crucial for digitally‑native consumers.
Trend 3: Cardboard and Upcycled Materials Redefining Sustainability
Startups are also pioneering material innovation, pushing beyond traditional wood and metal into more sustainable territory. Imm cologne highlights how companies like ROOM IN A BOX use corrugated cardboard — often 70 % recycled — to create beds, shelves, and other furniture that are lightweight, reusable, and highly recyclable.
Meanwhile, Munich‑based WYE demonstrates that sustainability can also come from upcycled wood shavings processed into materials like Neolign®, which can be fully reintegrated into the production cycle at end‑of‑life. These approaches reduce reliance on virgin timber and minimize environmental impact — central concerns as consumers and regulators alike prioritize sustainable supply chains.
Startups as Industry Trendsetters
imm cologne’s featured article concludes with a powerful industry insight: startups are not merely experimental players — they are essential drivers of long‑term innovation in furniture. Much like earlier innovations such as fitted kitchens once had to prove themselves before becoming mainstream, so too are today’s alternative furniture models gaining traction in consumer markets.
As the trade fair continues to showcase innovations across the spectrum — from sustainability‑focused materials to flexible workspace solutions — the influence of startups is becoming increasingly apparent. These companies bring fresh perspectives that challenge traditional practices and inspire established brands to innovate.
Note: This article is based on key insights from imm cologne’s industry trend analysis on startups and their impact.
