Upholstered Furniture Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Upholstered Furniture Market is projected to expand from USD 123.49 Billion in 2025 to USD 187.05 Billion by 2031, achieving a CAGR of 7.17%. This industry encompasses seating products, such as armchairs and sofas, that are constructed with durable leather or fabric coverings, soft padding, and springs. The market's growth is largely underpinned by rapid urbanization and the simultaneous development of residential real estate, which creates an immediate necessity for furnishing solutions. Furthermore, increasing disposable incomes in emerging economies are enabling consumers to purchase durable living room fixtures, ensuring a baseline of demand that remains robust regardless of fleeting design trends.

However, the industry encounters significant obstacles due to inflationary pressures and economic instability, which reduce consumer spending power in major regions. This financial volatility introduces uncertainty for manufacturers regarding inventory management and production planning. According to the European Furniture Industries Confederation, furniture sales across most European markets fell by between 3% and 9% in 2024. This data underscores the tangible effect of macroeconomic headwinds, which have the potential to hinder the broader expansion of the global upholstered furniture sector.

Market Drivers

Real estate expansion and rapid urbanization serve as primary structural catalysts for the Global Upholstered Furniture Market, as new residential projects generate immediate needs for essential seating. The growth of single-family housing is particularly influential, as these units typically require larger furniture investments to fill living spaces compared to multi-family dwellings. This trend is evident in regions where construction activity has remained resilient despite economic challenges, directly driving the procurement of sofas and armchairs. According to the National Association of Home Builders, new single-family housing starts in the United States rose by 7% in 2024 compared to the previous year, totaling nearly 1.01 million units in June 2025, ensuring consistent demand for manufacturers.

The rise of e-commerce and online retail channels has further transformed the sector by streamlining the purchasing process and improving accessibility for digital-first consumers. Retailers are increasingly focusing on virtual visualization tools and remote sales capabilities to attract buyers who prefer the convenience of ordering large items from home. This strategy is delivering clear results for key players; according to IKEA U.S.'s Annual Summary FY24 released in February 2025, the company recorded a 5.6% year-over-year increase in remote sales. This digital shift is supported by strong global trade networks, as evidenced by the General Department of Vietnam Customs reporting in September 2025 that the nation's furniture exports reached a record USD 17.5 billion for 2024.

Market Challenges

Inflationary pressures and economic instability act as major barriers to the growth of the global upholstered furniture market. As the cost of living increases, household discretionary income naturally declines, compelling consumers to prioritize essential expenses over durable goods. Upholstered items, such as armchairs and sofas, represent substantial investments that are often viewed as deferrable during periods of financial uncertainty. This hesitation results in longer replacement cycles and a contraction in retail demand, creating complexities for manufacturers regarding revenue forecasting and inventory planning.

Recent performance data from major manufacturing regions substantiates this reduction in market activity. According to FederlegnoArredo, sales within the wood-furniture supply chain fell by 4.9% during the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year. This statistic demonstrates the direct link between macroeconomic volatility and lower furniture consumption. When broad economic headwinds compromise consumer purchasing power, the immediate consequence is a slowdown in the volume of goods sold, which directly impedes the industry's ability to maintain consistent growth momentum.

Market Trends

The increasing adoption of biodegradable and sustainable upholstery materials is fundamentally reshaping production methods as stakeholders prioritize environmental stewardship to match evolving consumer values. This shift promotes the use of circular production methods, responsibly sourced foams, and recycled fibers, forcing brands to overhaul their supply chains to lower carbon footprints. Major industry players are validating this movement by quantifying waste diversion efforts to prove their ecological impact; for example, Ashley Furniture Industries reported in its March 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Report that it successfully recycled nearly 110,000 tons of materials, including wood, cardboard, and poly-foam, across its global operations in 2024.

Simultaneously, the trend toward weather-resistant upholstery for indoor-outdoor living spaces highlights a convergence of aesthetic versatility and durability, with performance fabrics originally meant for exteriors now being used in main living areas. This movement is driven by a desire for seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments, requiring furniture that offers indoor comfort with the resilience to withstand variable weather. As households seek to maximize the utility of their properties, investment in versatile furnishings is accelerating. According to the International Casual Furnishings Association's March 2025 Outdoor Living Trend Report, 59% of consumers explicitly plan to purchase new outdoor furniture or accessories for their residential spaces in 2025.

Key Players Profiled in the Upholstered Furniture Market

• Rowe Fine Furniture, Inc.
• England Furniture Incorporated
• DFS Furniture PLC
• Norwalk Furniture
• LEE Industries
• Herman Miller, Inc.
• La-Z-Boy Incorporated
• Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
• Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
• Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Upholstered Furniture Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Upholstered Furniture Market, by Type:

• Chairs
• Sofas
• Tables
• Beds
• Others

Upholstered Furniture Market, by Application:

• Residential
• Commercial

Upholstered Furniture Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

Upholstered Furniture Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Upholstered Furniture Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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