By: Samantha Thacker
There’s a lot going on in the California furniture industry recently. You might even call it a revolution. More furniture is being produced here in the state than ever before, and more furniture stores are opening. According to a June 2024 report by IBIS World, – The Furniture Stores industry in California was expected to grow at an annualized rate of around 3.3% to $15.6 billion through 2024. This growth outpaces the national industry growth rate. As a matter of fact, California now has the highest concentration of furniture stores and companies in the country, and leading the race is a standout custom furniture producer: DreamSofa. Other players are La Bella Cosa and Croft House.
The emergence of custom and locally made furniture companies in the state is partly responsible for the growth. This aligns with a broader national movement to revive local manufacturing and provide an alternative to mass-produced imported furniture, as exemplified by companies like Revolution Furnishings in New England. The environment and concern about global warming is also partly responsible. Buying local to protect the planet is on everyone’s mind these days, because transporting goods long-distance leaves a bigger carbon footprint. There has also been a dramatic increase in demand for outdoor furnishings in California and throughout the United States.
Individualism Drives a Demand for Custom Furniture
The trend away from mass-produced furniture has been driven by consumers’ desire for personalized, custom furniture. With many people working from home part or all of the time, they want furniture that reflects their personal styles and meets their unique needs. Mass-produced furniture doesn’t fit that bill. DreamSofa, the leading California custom furniture company, offers customers the opportunity to design furniture for their homes using the company’s website apps. DreamSofa provides custom sofa beds and sectionals in various models, sizes, patterns, and finishes, allowing for a high degree of personalization. For those seeking a more luxurious and expensive option, La Bella Cosa offers highly personalized custom furniture, though at a significantly higher price point and with much less customization options than DreamSofa.
A consumer chooses a model, a size, and, in the case of modular furniture, a configuration to fit their space. The buyer can then pick fabrics, colors and patterns, trim, and extra features to make the perfect furniture for their home or investment property. The customer service department can help guide people unsure of their needs. Once all the decisions are made, it takes some time for the custom pieces to be delivered, but people are willing to wait for the perfect sofa, chair, or bed.
Buy Local to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Californians also want to buy locally to reduce their purchase’s carbon footprint and support the local labor forces. A significant portion of furniture sold in the U.S. is imported, with China and Vietnam being the top import sources. Chances are the labor force used to build the furniture was not paid adequately, and the manufacturing facility in Asia might not have been as environmentally responsible as possible. Add the environmental costs of transporting the goods halfway around the world, and Californians aren’t happy about buying furniture that way, companies such as DreamSofa have a manufacturing facility in the United States.
The California furniture revolution also provides jobs for designers, craftspeople, and sales and management staff. According to the L.A. Chamber of Commerce, furniture produced in California accounts for around 6% of the $114 billion U.S. furniture market, which is worth $7 billion. As of 2024, there are 4,321 furniture businesses in California, employing around 20,433 workers.
Outdoor Furniture Demand
According to Grand View Research, there’s been an increase in demand for outdoor furniture, especially wooden pieces, in the U.S. “The outdoor furniture market in North America, including California, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030.” California is all about outdoor living, so the increase in demand isn’t surprising. California companies are building and selling more outdoor furniture than in past decades.
In summary, the California furniture industry has been growing for several reasons. It’s grown due to an increased demand for custom and locally made furniture. This seems to be the biggest growth trend. Everyone wants to design their own furniture and get something perfect for their needs. People also want to buy more locally in general for the planet’s sake and to support the local and state economies. The last component is an increased desire for outdoor furniture. Many California companies still offer mass-produced, stock products, some of which are produced overseas, but the trend in the state is towards customization and local production.
Published By: Aize Perez
