Furniture Industry Trends: 5 Predictions for 2022

2022 is in full swing and this year will prove to be interesting for the furniture manufacturing industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed consumer wants and needs. According to Freedonia Focus Reports, a division of MarketResearch.com, the U.S. demand for furniture is expected to reach $67.7 billion in 2025, rising at an annual growth rate of 2.7% from $59.3 billion in 2020. However, despite high demand, both brands and manufacturers are still grappling with a global supply chain crisis that will inevitably leave an impact on the industry. Here are the top 5 trends we are seeing for corporate office design, and the furniture manufacturing industry as a whole, in the coming year:

Continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic 

Since the pandemic’s onset, the industry has experienced a myriad of challenges including, but not limited to: stop and go production, shortages in materials and labor, huge backlogs and long lead times. The pandemic set the groundwork for the global supply chain crisis, which will continue to be an issue felt through 2022. Industry experts say companies will need to be ready to adapt and invest in new processes to address continued disruptions. Our takeaway: As a business, set realistic and often fluid timelines with buyers, and as a customer, look early and often to plan ahead with limited stock and long fulfillment.  

►More Reading: The Future of Work: How COVID-19 will change the workplace

Increased interest in eco-friendly furniture 

Sustainability has become an important topic for many different industries, and furniture is no exception. Over the last several years, the U.S. eco-friendly furniture market has grown—and this is true for both residential and commercial furniture markets. Close to 10 million tons of furniture and furnishings are sent to the landfill per year according to the EPA. Kentwood Office Furniture is helping reduce this number by remanufacturing used furniture into new, reimagined products. Learn more about our Evolved Kentwood Office Solutions lineup.

From sourcing materials to the impact on the environment to the treatment of workers, many brands will heavily focus on developing eco-friendly furniture products—from start to finish—in 2022. Aside from sustainable materials, interest in sustainability and eco-friendliness extends to office design, which has been a longstanding theme. This includes incorporating LED lighting and increasing access to natural light. Eco-friendly furniture is expected to become an even higher priority for consumers in 2022. 

Solutions that meet technological demands

Savvy brands and manufacturers offer solutions that meet a new rash of technological demands. Much like the increased demand for eco-friendly furniture, there is an increase in demand for smart furniture. According to Business Wire, the global smart furniture market size is anticipated to reach $365.5 billion by 2028. Businesses are looking for furniture with functional capabilities including tables and lounge seating that can charge mobile devices and laptops and docking stations that eliminate cable clutter and offer complete monitor adjustability — anything that meets the preference for easier working. 

More flexible furniture and workspaces 

Remote work and telecommuting have become more common practices. Technology has evolved and employees are no longer tethered to their desks. Workspace design needs to be adapted so that both remote and/or hybrid workers can easily come and go. This means more companies are looking for convertible, transformable workspaces. Advancing technology allows for greater flexibility. The industry is seeing a shift towards more social, comfortable atmospheres meaning more options for employees including open-concept designs, communal work areas, lounge spaces, and more comfortable furniture for gathering and collaborating—all while promoting productivity. Our takeaway: The office will most likely not be the only workspace going forward, so it needs to be just as much of an experience as it is functional to attract and retain talent.

Incorporating natural elements in the workspace 

2022 is said to be the year to stray away from rows of desks and artificial lighting. As more companies work to merge the comforts of home to the office, an increase in natural designs will persist. This means incorporating elements of nature in workspaces, regardless of whether there is outdoor space or not. Embracing natural designs consists of utilizing natural materials, plants, natural lighting, water features, and improving airflow and air quality in the office. Incorporating natural elements in the design of an office has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost productivity. The pandemic has impacted the well-being of employers and employees alike, implementing natural elements will be more important than ever in 2022 in order to foster positive workspaces. Our takeaway: Even if you start small, bring more vibrancy to your space with a natural paint color update, adding office-friendly plants, and possibly rearranging furnishings to take advantage of areas with natural light.

The Final Takeaway

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted the furniture industry and will continue to do so in 2022, as industry experts predict facing continued issues due to the global supply chain crisis and stabilizing market demand following widespread lifestyle shifts. Office spaces will be more feature-heavy while remaining sustainable. There will be a push for incorporating more natural elements and being able to work for both virtual and in-person workers alike. For more information about up-and-coming furniture trends and other educational information about the industry, check out more from the Kentwood Office Furniture blog here. 

If you are furnishing an office space, no matter where you are in the design process, our team at Kentwood Office Furniture can help. You come with a vision and we’ll listen and create beautiful solutions that fit your culture, work style, and budget. Contact us today!