USM Haller Soft Panels: First Impressions from the Hamburg Showroom

We visited the USM Haller showroom at Esplanade 41 in Hamburg and took a look at the new Soft Panels. The video shows the textile panels in action directly on the furniture, sliding sideways and being removed from the tubular frame. What makes the Soft Panels special and who they are interesting for, we clarify here.

What Are the 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 modular furniture system. No screws, no brackets, no tools. Anyone with an existing USM Haller piece can simply attach the panels and reposition them at any time.

The material is high-quality synthetic fibre, of which 40 percent comes from recycled marine plastic via the Seaqual Initiative. The panels are lightweight, stable and thanks to Greenguard Gold certification, low in emissions. Noticeably soft to the touch, creating an interesting contrast to the otherwise metallic world of USM Haller furniture.

How It Feels in Practice

At the showroom, the concept makes immediate sense. Smaller panels can be inserted sideways into wider compartments, where they can be slid left and right. The magnets hold them reliably between the tubes. Important: don't push by the handle, grab the side edges. Then switching between positions is quick and effortless.

A second movement the video shows is flipping up or down. If the compartment above or below is also 350 mm high, the panel clicks into that compartment when flipped. This way, you can reconfigure the piece of furniture in seconds, without disassembling anything.

Formats, Patterns and Colors

Soft Panels come in three sizes, matched to common USM Haller dimensions:

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

For patterns, there are three variants: diagonal, round (curves) and vertical. Mono Panels have the same pattern on both sides and come in a single color. Duo Panels have vertical grooves on one side and are plain on the back, available in different color combinations. There are ten colors in total, from dark grey through taupe and green to red.

More Than Looks: Sound Absorption

A feature the video doesn't show but is quite relevant: the panels have a sound-absorbing effect. In open-plan offices or living rooms with hard floor coverings, they can noticeably improve room acoustics. Especially those who use USM Haller as a room divider get a piece of furniture that combines privacy, design element and acoustic dampening in one.

Availability and Design Background

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

Handling Notes

A few practical points to consider when using:

• Magnetic field: Active medical implants should be at least 8 cm away from the magnets
• Cleanliness: Keep furniture and magnets dust-free, otherwise scratches may appear on the tubes
• Storage: When panels are not in the furniture, use an intermediate layer to prevent bending
• Requirement: The compartment height must be 350 mm, the frame properly aligned at 90 degrees

Care

For light soiling, vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner without brush attachment is enough. Heavier stains can be removed with a damp cloth and, if necessary, a gentle detergent like glass cleaner. Excessive rubbing should be avoided as it can alter the surface. Don't pull out protruding fibres, but carefully trim them.

Where to See the Panels?

The Soft Panels are a good example of why visiting a USM Haller showroom is worthwhile. In photos they look unassuming, in your hand the idea becomes more tangible. The Hamburg showroom is at Esplanade 41, 20354 Hamburg, near the Binnenalster. There are other locations in many major cities.

Official product information with more images and all design options is available on the official USM page about the Soft Panels.

Our Verdict

The Soft Panels are not a revolution, but a well thought-out addition to the USM Haller product range. Anyone already using the system can give their furniture a new look with manageable effort, while improving room acoustics and even changing the function. For new customers, they offer another reason to take a closer look at the modular furniture system. The video gives you a first impression of how the panels work in real furniture.