Furniture trends change from time to time, as buying habits do. The way consumers buy furniture today is quite different from how it was. Continued growth in building and construction coupled with rising disposable income levels have boosted the demand in furniture in recent years. Below is a highlight of some major trends that can be seen in 2020;
1. GROWTH OF ONLINE FURNITURE STORES
The most notable trend in 2020 is the rise of e-commerce in the furniture industry. Surveys expect furniture and other home furnishings to be one of the fastest-growing segments of e-commerce sales this year. This is as a result of digital transformation from changing consumer behaviours and technology advancement. As we speak, there are around 3.5 billion social media users who spend an average of two to twenty-three hours per day online. Furniture companies have taken this opportunity to market and sell their products on varied social media platforms. It’s quite easy to find a collection of contemporary furniture online at the comfort of your home. Many companies are putting more efforts towards online retail stores by adding benefits to their consumers such as free delivery and fast shipping.
2. INCREASED INTEREST IN ECO-FRIENDLY FURNITURE.
Growing concerns about global warming and deforestation have resulted in an increased interest in eco-friendly furniture. The last few years have shown that we all need to treat the environment with care. Sustainability has become a topic of discussion in many industries and furniture is no exception. Manufacturers are considering long-term ecological sustainability when it comes to sourcing and manufacturing. To reduce environmental impact, furniture manufacturers have adopted green solutions such as using natural sustainable materials such as wood and recycled materials. Additionally, consumer awareness about the alarming levels in pollution and carbon emission has accelerated the demand for eco-friendly buying habits.
3. PRODUCT CUSTOMISATION.
The demand for tailor-made products has reached the sky in recent times. Choosing the right furniture and accessories for your home can be a daunting exercise. So many decor bits and pieces have to come together and complement each other for a splendid outcome. Customisation has now turned into a vast online business that offers a variety of furniture products. Some brands have their whole business based on product customization as their niche to enhance the consumer experience. Today, technology has made it easier to offer personalized furniture straight from the furniture website. Consumers have the ability to combine colors, fabrics, finishes and other details in a few clicks to suit their style and needs.
4. NEED FOR LARGER FURNITURE.
It’s estimated that over 1.9billion people in the world are clinically obese. With childhood obesity levels also on the rise, there has been a huge impact on furniture designs. An obese person will spend a lot of time window shopping on the perfect couch for his or her home. A typical couch is designed to hold up to 130 kilograms which isn’t exactly suited for heavier individuals. Bariatric furniture designs with taller backrest with wider seats and bases have become quite popular and can easily hold twice the amount.
5. MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE.
As technology continues to evolve, furniture is no longer what it used to be in most homes. To harness the full potential of limited space in most homes takes some ingenuity. Consumers are always looking for furniture that is multi-purpose, foldable and technology-driven. This is a great way to furnish a room not to mention a practical solution to save space that would however be filled with the unnecessary load. This allows space for other activities and increases space-efficiency.
