One thing that can really make a house feel like a home is getting good furniture. It can make a living room feel more comfortable and lived in, turn a bedroom into a cozy nook, and put the finishing touch on an elegant dining room. Plus, in terms of general functionality, it allows you to live comfortably and have a good space for guests, if needed. Furniture can also reflect someone’s lifestyle or aesthetic, with pops of color, quirky accessories, and even just the general furniture chosen. Someone who doesn’t spend much time in their home may have just the bare minimum, for example, while someone who enjoys entertaining is sure to have a dining room table and plenty of chairs, as well as a large and comfy sofa! There are also a range of places you can choose to get your furniture from, be it furniture stores, discount furniture from antique sales, yard sales, or thrift stores, or hand-me-downs from family and friends.
What Does the Furniture Market Look Like These Days?
Good news for the furniture business! In 2013, furniture and the stores that sell it produced over $100 billion in sales. And the sale of furniture has only increased over the years. In 1992, sales netted a little over $50 million, but by 2013, like previously mentioned, it rose above $100 billion. Although millennials may not be crazy about spending money on some things, furniture is one thing that they’re not skimping on, and that number has grown as they’ve gotten older. For example, in 2012, millennials were a little under 15% of all buyers, but in 2014, they were a little under 40% of the households buying furniture and bedding. That makes them officially the largest generation purchasing household furniture and bedding! Similarly, that means they’re outbuying the Baby Boomer generation, who comprised over 40% of buyers in 2012 and in 2014 were a little under 30%.
It makes sense when you think about it — as Boomers have aged, they’ve mostly acquired all the furniture and bedding they need. They may update or replace every now often, but at nowhere near the rate as millennials, who are starting to set up their homes and might be moving more often as they change careers.
What Items Are People Most Likely To Buy?
After a home and a car, furniture ranks as the third priciest item that someone will ever buy in their lifetime. The most common items bought right away are beds (and a mattress), a sofa, tables, and chairs. If a quality sofa is bought and kept up well, they can last anywhere from seven to 15 years — and to be sure, some have been known to last far longer than that!
Beds and mattresses are also a top item for comfort — no one likes sleeping on the floor! And for many young people, they’re eager to change out a smaller sized bed for a larger one, like a full or a queen. A bed and a mattress can often make the difference between getting a good night’s sleep or not!
Chairs and tables are another way to bring a home together — and to bring family and friends around as well. If you’re looking for a new chair and are thinking about cushions, you should select a foam density rating of at least 1.9. This will make sure that your cushions can stand up to everyday use of the chair and won’t wear away quickly.
Recliners, loveseats, and other pieces of furniture are often added after the more important parts are firmly instituted in the home. Good Housekeeping says that your typical recliner can have a lifespan of up to 10 years if well taken care of. Adding little accessories like curtains, vases, books, and pictures can help accentuate your space as well.
It’s not hard to make your house feel like a home — just add furniture! You can show off your taste and personality via your furniture and make your home a welcoming space for others as well. There’s nothing better than coming home to a good bed or comfy chair after all!
