Hardware for furniture, upholstery, kitchen, coatings and furnishing systems.

Furnishing Idea is the portal dedicated to the furniture and furnishing industry, designed to bring together different professionals such as architects, designers, carpenters, furniture makers and manufacturers active in the furniture market who represent the reference point in terms of innovation and quality of the product offered. On the other hand, the portal aims to provide a valid information service focused on products, projects, events and fairs and everything that revolves around the world of components, semi-finished products and accessories for the furniture industry.

 

The portal is divided into different sections where you can explore the different products according to different categories, get in touch with manufacturers, download catalogues to keep up with industry trends and watch videos of interviews with the best professionals and manufacturers.

 

In the articles section you can find all the information about the most innovative product technologies, such as furniture materials, furniture accessories and systems, furniture machinery, furniture hardware, manufactured by manufacturers with a solid experience in the field. In the companies section there is an overview of the manufacturers registered on our portal, divided by product category, where you can contact us for any request. Our portal also has a special catalogues section to allow professionals and operators in the sector to view in a practical way all the catalogues relating to the various products (furniture hardware, upholstery materials, furniture paints, etc.). In addition, to allow easy consultation of the products, our portal has reserved a product section, organized by categories, where you can find out about the technical characteristics, materials and functionality of each product. The video section, on the other hand, presents numerous video interviews given by professionals and manufacturers that report news, insights and informative content on the best technologies in the sector.

 

In addition, to keep you constantly informed you can also consult our Journal section which contains all the Furnishing Idea magazines dedicated to the furniture and furnishing industry, such as the edition dedicated to Sicam or Interzum, two of the most important trade fairs in the sector. The magazines can be consulted from the portal or easily downloadable in pdf format.

 

Thanks to the trust placed in us by many manufacturers, our portal is now recognized both nationally and internationally. In fact, there are already many internationally recognized and established companies in the sector, including the AIPEF group (Italian Flexible Expanded Polyurethanes Companies) which promotes scientific information on the use of flexible polyurethane foam in the sectors in which it is used.

CSIL World Furniture Outlook 2024/2025 report: a complex situation for the furniture industry

The mid-year edition of the CSIL World Furniture Outlook 2024/2025 Report confirms a complex situation for the furniture industry. According to CSIL data, world furniture consumption will continue to show weak demand in 2024, with a possible recovery only in 2025. 

Among prospect markets, India is the fastest growing economy, with an expected increase in furniture consumption. 

The Report, in English, provides an overview of global furniture industry trends with time series of basic data (furniture production, consumption, imports, exports 2014-2023) and furniture market outlook 2024 and 2025 for 100 countries.

 

A slow recovery

According to data compiled by CSIL in the Report, global furniture production in 2023 was about $470 billion while international trade was -9 percent in U.S. dollars, following stagnation in 2022 followed by exceptional growth in 2021 post-pandemic. 

Growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025 are influenced by the expectation of continued inflation and indicate that recovery will be slow. The outlook for international furniture trade is also negative due to possible further trade restrictions, due in part to growing protectionist sentiment in the United States and persistent difficulties in shipping.

 

Tabella CSIL Rapporto.webp  
 

Import/consumption ratio declining

The main importers of furniture are the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Canada. These countries together account for about half of total imports. The increase in U.S. imports has been the main driver of growth in international furniture trade, with about two-thirds of imports coming from Asia (China, Vietnam, Malaysia). However, the Chinese share of U.S. imports has declined, mainly in favor of Vietnam, due to U.S.-China trade tensions. 

In 2023, furniture imports declined more than consumption, and as a result, the import/consumption ratio, an indicator for assessing the level of openness to international trade flows, fell by two percentage points. The import/consumption ratio of furniture has been consistently above 30 percent since 2014 and increased significantly between 2016 and 2022, returning in 2023 to a level more in line with past experience.

 

Asia-Pacific region first export market in the world

China is the largest furniture exporter, followed at a distance by Vietnam, Poland, Italy and Germany. Chinese exports account for about one-third of world furniture exports. After a sharp increase in 2021, they declined significantly in 2022 and 2023, while remaining above pre-pandemic levels. 

Three main causes for this decline: slowing destination markets, trade tensions with the United States, and slowing economic growth in China. In addition to exports, the Asia-Pacific region has slowed its growth rate in terms of furniture production compared to the past, but remains the most important region with a share around 50 percent.

 

India, the fastest growing economy

According to the International Monetary Fund, world GDP growth is expected to be 3.2 in both 2024 and 2025, with emerging and developing economies growing much faster than advanced economies. Downside risks arise from persistent inflation, a possible further slowdown in China's economic growth, volatile commodity prices, and rising geopolitical tensions. 

2023 was also a difficult year for global furniture consumption, and the weakness in furniture demand is expected to continue in 2024, with a possible recovery in 2025. 

India is expected to be the fastest growing large economy in the world. Demand for furniture is growing, fueled by sustained economic growth, an expanding middle class with rising disposable income, and increased real estate activity.


 

Category: Economy, News and Fairs
Publication date: 11/10/2024

Wood technology and the furniture industry: a first quarter 2024 with a minus sign

According to Acimall data, exports mark 6.1 percent less than in the same quarter of 2023, imports 23.9 percent
Category: Economy, News and Fairs
Publication date: 19/07/2024

FSC Furniture Awards 2022: awarded for the best sustainable furniture for interiors and exteriors

Sustainability and FSC certification: reference points for producers, retailers and consumers
Category: Economy, News and Fairs
Publication date: 04/11/2022

FSC Furniture Awards: the 2022 edition is underway

The fourth edition of the competition expands to 20 countries and innovates the categories in the competition
Category: Economy, News and Fairs
Publication date: 30/05/2022

HettichXperiencedays 2021: the hybrid event platform from Hettich

The programme includes workshops, presentations, virtual tours, product launches and the opening of the new Hettich Italia showroom.
Category: Furniture hardware, Industry news
Publication date: 10/03/2021
Company: Hettich Italia

CSIL report: scenarios and forecasts for the furniture sector in Italy in 2021-2023

In 2021 a likely rebound effect should support the growth of economic activity
Category: Economy and marketing
Publication date: 23/12/2020

Effegibrevetti: new products under the banner of technology, design and simplicity

The Simply shelf support, the new Shadow Line and Sinergy Lab finishes, a programme of display panels
Category: Furniture hardware
Publication date: 18/09/2020
Company: Effegibrevetti S.r.l.

The Italian kitchen furniture market: a complete picture from the new Csil Report

Data and trends in the production and consumption of kitchen furniture on the national market
Category: Economy and marketing
Publication date: 26/05/2020

Csil: scenarios and forecasts for the furniture sector in 2020-2022

The two reports show a scenario still full of uncertainties for the period 2020-2022
Category: Economy and marketing
Publication date: 30/12/2019

CSIL World Furniture Outlook Seminar 2018: the development of global furniture

The data reveal a positive global outlook for the coming years
Category: Economy and marketing
Publication date: 30/05/2018