Cologne - Transformability was one of the biggest trends to emerge at this year's international furniture trade show in Cologne.

There were sofas, for example, that didn't necessarily have to go in the sitting room and desks that did not have the serious look of office furniture.

Many of the 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries at the January show, featured furniture showing how different living spaces in the home are slowly growing together. At the same time, however, the differences between the private and the "public" parts of a home seem to be getting stronger, and this development has had an effect on furniture design.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are reserved for the occupants as places to withdraw and as wellness zones, while the rest of the home counts generally as open to visitors.

In modern apartments "the transition from the sitting room to kitchen and from foyer to living space is more fluid and the rooms are more generous," according to organizers of the trade show. The value of the kitchen as a living space has appreciated in modern homes, as many of them treat it as an extension of the living room.

"The classic kitchenette is being phased-out," said Elmar Duffner, president of the German furniture industry association in Bad Honnef. "Instead the kitchen island is gaining ground as a solution."

And while the kitchen slowly migrates toward the living room, sofas are moving toward the kitchen to facilitate relaxed seating in the kitchen-living area. At the same time, the dining space is being furnished. Large tables or tables that can extend are being combined with comfortable chairs, often softly upholstered or covered in leather.

As a sign of the new furniture's flexibility, it has firmly departed from the type of heavy furniture that could hardly be moved after being placed in the room. Many pieces have been given legs in the truest sense of the word. They are typically conspicuous, long and delicate. This goes for commodes as well as armoires and chairs. Even beanbag chairs - a classic symbol of comfortably hanging out - have been given a frame to rest on.

Just the sofa appears to be refusing to go along with this trend - but only at first glance. This year's couches are bulkier. Clear, pure colours and patterns are teaming up with overhanging shapes, partly crumpled upholstery and deep sitting surfaces. It was not possible to see the feet of many of the new models. Sofas, chairs and ottomans were positioned as if planted in the ground, creating a sort of ease in the installation, Duffner said.

The extra-large sofas are more versatile than they look. Modular models are especially popular. These have individual chair-size elements that can be arranged to meet the needs of its owner and to fit in the space available. The sections can be positioned to create a classic sofa, a place for peace and quiet or a bed for overnight guests. Many furniture makers also have models with reclining backs and additional end pieces so that various arrangements are possible.

Wall units still have an uncertain future. Their demise has been predicted for years as individual pieces, including commodes and cabinets, gradually take their place. But the split of apartments into private and public spaces and the growing popularity of loft architecture, the classic wall unit could start coming back into style.

Another trend seen at the Cologne trade show was cabinet doors that conceal not only television sets and stereo systems, but also books, souvenirs and private things. The style is known as "clean over" and the most popular type of door is white lacquer.

In the bedroom wall, armoires are gaining in popularity as an alternative if there's not enough money or space for a walk-in closet. These wall-unit armoires fit into the room in a way that make them hardly noticeable and they help create a calm and harmonic appearance. (dpa)