USM Haller Soft Panels: First Impressions from the Hamburg Showroom

We were at the USM Haller Showroom at Esplanade 41 in Hamburg and saw the new Soft Panels. In the video, you can see the textile panels in use directly on the furniture; they can be slid sideways and removed from the tubular frame again. Here, we clarify what makes the Soft Panels special and for whom they are interesting.

What are Soft Panels?

With the Soft Panels, USM expands its classic with a soft, playful component. The textile panels come with four magnets and can be clicked into the tubular structure of the furniture system. No screws, no brackets, no tools. If you have existing USM Haller furniture, you can simply attach the panels and reposition them at any time.

The material is high-quality synthetic fiber, 40 percent of which is made from recycled ocean plastic from the Seaqual Initiative. The panels are lightweight, stable, and low in harmful substances due to Greenguard Gold certification. They are noticeably soft to the touch, creating an interesting contrast to the otherwise metallic world of USM Haller furniture.

How it feels in practice

The concept is easy to understand in the showroom. Smaller panels can be inserted sideways into wider compartments, where they can be slid left and right. The magnets hold them securely between the tubes. Important: do not push by the handle, but by the side edges. Then, switching between different positions is quick and effortless.

A second movement shown in the video is flipping up or down. If the compartment above or below is also 350 mm high, the panel clicks into this compartment when flipped up. This allows the furniture piece to be reconfigured within seconds, without disassembling anything.

Formats, Patterns, and Colors

The Soft Panels are available in three sizes, matched to the common USM Haller dimensions:

• 750 x 350 mm
• 500 x 350 mm
• 350 x 350 mm

There are three pattern options: diagonal, round (curves), and vertical. The Mono Panels have the same pattern on both sides and are in one color. The Duo Panels have vertical grooves on one side and are smooth on the back, available in different color combinations. In total, there are ten colors, from dark gray to taupe and green to red.

More than just looks: Soundproofing

One characteristic not visible in the video but quite relevant is that the panels have a sound-absorbing effect. In an open-plan office or living room with hard flooring, they can noticeably improve room acoustics. Especially for those who use USM Haller as a room divider, this offers a way to combine privacy, design element, and acoustic dampening with the same piece of furniture.

Availability and Design Background

The USM Haller Soft Panels have been available from specialist retailers since January 7, 2026. They were developed in collaboration with French designer Marc Venot, with the final design created with the US studio JOBA under Kevin Jones. A design cooperation that adds a contemporary, tactile component to the classic without changing the clear architectural character of the system.

Handling Instructions

A few practical points to consider when using them:

• Magnetic field: Active medical implants should be at least 8 cm away from the magnets.
• Cleanliness: Keep furniture and magnets dust-free; otherwise, scratches on the tubes may occur.
• Storage: If panels are not in the furniture, use an interleaf to prevent warping.
• Prerequisite: The compartment height must be 350 mm, and the frame must be cleanly aligned at a 90-degree angle.

Care

For light soiling, vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner without a brush attachment is sufficient. More stubborn stains can be removed with a damp cloth and, if necessary, with a mild cleaning agent such as glass cleaner. Excessive rubbing should be avoided as it can alter the surface. Do not pull out protruding fibers, but carefully cut them off.

Where to see the panels?

The Soft Panels are a good example of why visiting a USM Haller showroom is worthwhile. In photos, they appear inconspicuous, but in hand, the idea becomes more tangible. The showroom in Hamburg is located at Esplanade 41, 20354 Hamburg, near the Binnenalster. Further locations are available in many major cities.

Official product information with further images and all design options can be found on the official USM page for Soft Panels.

Our Conclusion

The Soft Panels are not a revolution, but a well-thought-out addition to the USM Haller product range. Those who already use the system can give their furniture a new look with relatively little effort, improve room acoustics, and even change its function. For new customers, they offer another reason to take a closer look at the furniture system. In the video, you get a first impression of how the panels work in real furniture.