The European upholstered furniture market, worth around EUR 20 billion and accounting for about 25% of global consumption, is characterized by ongoing adjustments, according to Giulia Taveggia, senior researcher and partner at CSIL.
Upholstered furniture trade conditions: After strong growth in 2021, extra-EU exports remained elevated in 2022, then declined and broadly stabilised in 2023–2025. The recent pattern points to slower momentum in extra-EU markets, while the outlook remains exposed to uncertainty linked to tariffs and broader international trade policy developments in key destination markets.
Extra-EU imports of upholstered furniture grew sharply in 2021 and reached their highest level in 2022. In 2023, they fell markedly, before recovering in 2024 and rising further in 2025, confirming continued international sourcing pressure.
© CSIL
On the product side, upholstered furniture is increasingly being designed for adaptability. Modular sofas, reconfigurable seating systems, poufs, and multifunctional products are gaining relevance. At the same time, modularity is becoming more closely linked to disassemblability, with growing attention to solutions that are lighter, easier to move, simpler to transport, and better aligned with sustainability and logistics requirements.
Another major shift concerns the way spaces are used. The boundaries between home and work, residential and hospitality, and even indoor and outdoor living are becoming less rigid. This is driving demand for furniture that combines comfort, flexibility, and multifunctionality.
Distribution is also changing. The sector is seeing the rising importance of direct-to-consumer models, e-commerce, omnichannel strategies, marketplaces, and new market entrants, alongside the continued role of traditional retail partners and specialist chains.
o better understand these dynamics, CSIL is conducting a targeted survey among companies operating in the European upholstered furniture market.
If you are an upholstered furniture manufacturer active in Europe, we invite you to contribute your insights and perspective to help shape a clearer picture of the industry.
To participate, please use the relevant link below:
European companies: https://www.research.net/r/CSILUphEU26
Non-European companies: https://www.research.net/r/CSILEuSofa26
Please feel free to contact Giulia Taveggia should you need any clarification or support.
