Craftsmanship of Furniture Helps To Get Industry Through Tough Economic Times

We don't often accept guest writers, but in this case we made an exception. This article is about the recovery of the furniture industry. It's about quality and it's written by Harden Furniture, one of the leaders of sustainable manufacturing and that's important this close to Earth Day.

A house isn't a home until it has furniture in it. -This is true for the basic reasons that everybody needs a place to sit down, eat, and relax. Without furniture a home isn't a home, it's literally just an open empty space. However, that statement also works on deeper level. Furniture shows who someone is and what their tastes can be. Simply put, you are where you sit. If someone chooses solid wood furniture over new aged designed (and often sometimes awkward looking) furniture, it shows that they have a respect for the old school craftsmanship of the form and want their homes to convey that. Yet, this same type of craftsmanship is also what's helping get the furniture industry through the current recession.

The recession has had a widespread reaching effect on almost every industry, and furniture is no exception. However, the furniture industry has shown that it can outlast the recession through focusing on customer service, creating business models that help protect the environment, and most importantly keep producing high quality products. Quirky designed furniture does have its place in the industry, but ultimately has not helped to keep the industry afloat during these tough economic times. This is why designers who are heading to furniture fairs like the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano are struggling to get their state of art furniture to the public. As much as a trendy chair would fit in many situations it can't contend with the comfort and familiarity of well-made solid wood office furniture, especially during a time when comfort and familiarity is needed.

The argument can be made that well made products like solid wood living room furniture is helping to get the industry through the recession and into a successful future and this is because of quality. A focus on craftsmanship can break through any slump, economic or otherwise, and that's why the furniture industry has lasted through this recession and most likely will last through any to come.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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