There’s no denying that designer furniture can sometimes be shockingly expensive. Some of that pricing can certainly be explained by a high emphasis on craftmanship in some pieces, including high-quality fabrics, metals, and woods, in addition to a lot of love, thought, and care put into the overall design of the item. However, even given all that, pricing differences often seem illogical. A quick browse through the Neiman Marcus furniture section will show you a side chair for $2000, a coffee table for nearly $6000, and a simple console table for over $3000. So why is designer furniture so expensive? The answer, as it turns out, is a number of reasons.
Retail Markups
Oftentimes, furniture is sold in a way that means it filters through multiple middlemen before finding its way to the end user. During the course of these transactions in the supply chain, each middleman will mark the price up a little bit before passing the product on to the next consumer. This chain of events means that the price of the furniture has been artificially inflated at multiple points before the end user is able to buy it.
Covering Costs
The fact of the matter is that real estate is expensive. If you are buying from a brick-and-mortar store, or a furniture brand that owns some brick-and-mortar stores, they will need to mark up the prices of their goods significantly to pay their rents, mortgages and property taxes if applicable, and in-person staff. When buying furniture, it’s great to be able to see it in person to determine fully whether it will meet your needs, but having that privilege is often something you (literally) end up paying for.
Designer Branding and Originality CostAt the end of the day, furniture is worth what people are willing to pay for it. Many designer brands have a sustained track record of quality and exclusivity—oftentimes over several decades—that allow them to pump up the prices at which they sell their goods, because customers have an expectation that they are paying for quality, and are willing to absorb the extra premium to do so. Sometimes, particular furniture brands or pieces can even be a status symbol the same way an expensive handbag or expensive car might be, so that is certainly another motivator. In the same way designer brands can up the selling price of a piece of furniture, there is also an allure to owning particularly unique or artisanal pieces. However, smaller runs of furniture often have a higher price-per-item because they don’t have the same economy of scale as larger runs. So, beware: owning something unique or designer can be cool, but you’re definitely paying for the privilege as well as the quality.
The furniture supply chain is definitely complicated, and there are a lot of weird pitfalls you might encounter in the process of trying to find affordable furniture. That being said, if you know what to look out for, finding affordable, stylish furniture is far from impossible. Just make sure you know what you’re paying for!
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
Creating the perfect wardrobe design for your bedroom interiors can feel like a challenging puzzle. After all, this piece of furniture isn’t just for storing clothes – it’s also a defining feature of your room’s style and a key element of organization. It’s not just a practical necessity; it’s also an essential element that contributes […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
As soon as you enter a space, walls define its boundary, volume, style, and experience. Interior wall designs are crucial in determining the mood and aesthetic appeal of an interior space. To create a one-of-a-kind space for occupants and guests, the interplay of interior wall designs and their volume is key. To evoke a feeling […]
In small bathroom layouts, every square inch counts. Without a thoughtful plan, a small space can quickly become cluttered, making it feel even more cramped. The right bathroom layout not only enhances functionality in interiors but also creates a sense of openness. Think about it—how frustrating is it to move around a bathroom where the […]
Do you enjoy keeping games, books, and ornaments in your hallway? This carefully chosen collection of living room storage ideas will complement your interior decor and be suitable for Indian homes. These are chosen from a shortlist of different product designers’ living room storage designs on Archioo. The following living room storage concepts have been […]
Creating a TV unit design in bedroom requires the right balance of functionality, optimization, and aesthetics to enhance the space. Apart from cots and wardrobes, TV units in a bedroom play a pivotal role in captivating an individual’s attention. Keeping in mind, the design theme and concept of your home, the TV unit design in […]
Are you worried about the small space left in your kitchen? In parallel kitchen design, the layout divides the kitchen into two parallel counters. Including the parallel kitchen design, the work sequence includes store, wash, prepare, cook, serve, eat, and be followed by clear and wash up. From the sequences, we learn that three appliances […]