Business ideas
15 min read

10+ Best & Profitable Furniture Business Ideas in 2023

Looking to turn your passion for furniture into a profitable business venture? If you've got a flair for design, a keen eye for detail, and the drive to succeed, then the furniture industry may be the perfect fit for you. With a growing demand for unique and customized furniture pieces, now is the time to explore the endless possibilities of this industry. In this article, we'll introduce you to 10+ creative and demanding furniture business ideas that are sure to inspire and ignite your entrepreneurial spirit. So buckle up and get ready to dive into the exciting world of furniture entrepreneurship!

Written by:
Nick
Updated on:
March 5, 2023
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Table of Contents:

Our List of 10+ Best Furniture Business Ideas:

1. Custom furniture making.

Custom furniture making is the art of creating unique furniture pieces according to specific client requirements. It involves designing and crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that match the client's particular style and preferences.

  • Unlike mass-produced furniture, custom-made furniture pieces are designed to cater to a client's specific needs and style, providing a personalized touch to a living or work space.
  • Custom furniture makers often work with high-quality, locally sourced materials and pay close attention to detail, resulting in beautifully crafted pieces that last for years.
  • The demand for custom-made furniture has significantly increased in recent years, as people seek to add unique elements to their living and working spaces that reflect their personalities and style.
  • Starting a custom furniture making business can be profitable, as consumers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, bespoke pieces that cannot be found in mass-market stores.
  • Custom furniture makers may also offer additional services such as restoration and repair of antique furniture, further increasing their revenue streams.
  • This type of business also provides the flexibility to work from home and set your own schedule, appealing to many aspiring entrepreneurs.

2. Antique furniture restoration.

Antique furniture restoration is the process of refurbishing old or neglected pieces of furniture and restoring them to their former glory. This can include repairing any damage, refinishing, and polishing to bring the piece back to its original beauty. But why would this make a good business idea? Let's dive in!

  • Antique furniture restoration is a niche market, meaning that there is less competition compared to other furniture businesses.
  • People love the idea of taking an old piece of furniture and turning it into something beautiful again. It's a sentimental and sustainable way to decorate.
  • With the increasing interest in vintage and shabby chic styles, there's a growing demand for antique furniture restoration services.
  • Antique furniture can be quite valuable, making the potential for profit higher than with other types of furniture businesses.
  • There's also the opportunity for upselling, such as offering custom refinishing options or adding personalized touches to the pieces.
  • Antique furniture restoration is a skill that can be learned and improved upon, making it a great option for those with a passion for DIY.

3. Furniture upholstery.

Furniture upholstery is the process of covering or re-covering furniture with fabric or leather to give it a brand new look. Many people opt to reupholster their old furniture instead of buying new ones, as it is a cost-effective way to give a fresh lease of life to pieces they already own.

  • Reupholstering furniture can save money in the long run, as buying a new piece of furniture can be expensive.
  • Upholstery work is also great for the environment. By reusing and reviving old furniture, fewer furniture pieces end up in landfills.
  • The upholstery business has been around for a long time and is highly in demand. Furniture tends to wear out or go out of style, which means there will always be a need for reupholstering services.
  • Upholstery is a highly-skilled craft and requires a great deal of knowledge and experience. This provides for an opportunity to showcase your skills and expertise in a craft that’s been honed over many centuries.
  • If you have an eye for design, you can help customers choose the perfect fabric to match their décor, and create a piece that is truly unique to them.
  • With the growth of online marketplaces, it's easier than ever to find high-quality fabric and leather that can be shipped directly to your doorstep, which can make the whole process more efficient and cost-effective.

4. Furniture rental.

Are you moving to a new city and need to furnish your temporary apartment? Or looking to stage a home for a quick sale? Or maybe you just like the idea of switching up your home decor without the commitment of buying new furniture? If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then furniture rental might be the perfect solution for you.

  • What is furniture rental?

Furniture rental is a service that allows customers to rent furniture for a specific period of time, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months. This service is ideal for people who move frequently, those who are unable to or prefer not to invest in expensive furniture, or those who are looking for temporary solutions.

  • Why would it make a good business idea?

Here are a few reasons why furniture rental could be a lucrative business idea:

  • Low initial investment: Starting a furniture rental business doesn't require a huge initial investment. You can begin with a small inventory and expand as your business grows.
  • Repeat business: Customers who rent furniture are likely to need these services again in the future, making it easier to build a loyal client base.
  • Flexible pricing: Offering various pricing options like weekly, monthly, or custom packages can attract wide range of customers.
  • Low maintenance: Compared to owning a traditional furniture store, maintaining a furniture rental service is much simpler with less overhead costs.
  • Environmentally friendly: Furniture rental encourages reuse and reduces waste, making it an eco-friendly alternative to buying mass-produced furniture that may not last long.

5. Furniture refinishing.

Furniture refinishing is the process of restoring old, worn-out pieces of furniture to make them look like new. Refinishing can involve repairing any damages, stripping off old finishes, sanding down the surface, and applying new paint, stain or varnish.

  • It's affordable: Refinishing old furniture can save customers money compared to purchasing brand new pieces.
  • It's eco-friendly: By refinishing, we can help to reduce waste and prevent old furniture from ending up in landfills.
  • It's customizable: Refinishing allows customers to choose their preferred color or finish, which can be tailored to match their personal style and decor.
  • It's timeless: Well-crafted pieces of furniture can last a lifetime, but the finish may wear out. Refinishing can help to restore vintage or antique items, enhancing their beauty and adding value to customers' homes.
  • It's versatile: From dressers and desks to dining tables and chairs, furniture refinishing can be applied to a wide range of furniture types.

6. Furniture retail.

Are you looking for a profitable business idea? Have you considered starting a furniture retail store? Let's explore this option and see why it would be a smart choice.

Furniture retail refers to the selling of furniture to the end consumer. This can be done in a physical store or through an online platform. The furniture can range from living room sets, bedroom sets, kitchen furniture, office furniture, and so on. Now let's take a look at why furniture retail is a good business idea:

  • Furniture is a necessity: Everyone needs furniture in their home, office, and other spaces. This means there is a constant demand for furniture products.
  • High-profit margins: If you source your furniture products wisely, you can make a significant profit margin on each sale.
  • Room for creativity: You can be creative with the types of furniture you offer in your store. You could choose to offer products from a specific time period, for instance, or focus only on eco-friendly furniture.
  • Opportunity for repeat business: Once a customer buys furniture, it is unlikely they will need to replace it for a long time. However, when they do, they may come back to your store to make the new purchase. This creates a great opportunity for repeat business.
  • Appeals to a wide range of customers: People of all ages and backgrounds need furniture, so there is no limit to the types of customers you can attract.

Starting a furniture retail store requires a lot of planning, hard work and dedication, but the potential of success is huge. Consider these advantages before making your final decision on your business venture.

7. Furniture design.

Are you passionate about interior design and creating beautiful spaces? Consider furniture design – a niche within the interior design industry that offers great potential for a successful business. Furniture design is the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically-pleasing pieces of furniture for homes, offices, and public spaces. In today's market, there is an increasing demand for furniture that is not only stylish but also functional and sustainable, making furniture design a lucrative business idea for both established designers and newcomers looking to start their own business.

  • Here are some reasons why furniture design would make a good business idea:
  • Furniture design is an essential part of the interior design industry, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide, and it's predicted to continue to grow.
  • As consumers become more eco-conscious, there is a need for furniture that is environmentally friendly, and this opens up opportunities for creative entrepreneurs.
  • Furniture design allows for a lot of creativity. As a furniture designer, you can let your imagination run wild and create furniture that is unique and interesting.
  • There is a growing trend in the market for handcrafted, artisanal furniture, as consumers appreciate the value of unique, high-quality pieces that can't be found in mass-produced furniture stores.
  • Furniture design also provides opportunities for collaboration with other designers or even architects, providing new business relationships and networking opportunities.

8. Furniture manufacturing.

Are you considering starting your own business? Have you considered furniture manufacturing as an option? Furniture manufacturing involves creating unique pieces of furniture that are not commonly found in big box stores. In this article, we will explore what furniture manufacturing is and why it would make a great business idea.

  • Furniture manufacturing involves creating custom pieces of furniture. Instead of mass-producing the same item, each piece is unique and customized according to customer specifications.
  • There is a growing demand for handmade or custom furniture. Many consumers are seeking unique pieces that align with their personal style and preferences.
  • The profit margins in furniture manufacturing can be high. Custom pieces fetch a higher price point compared to mass-produced furniture found in big box stores.
  • Furniture manufacturing allows for creativity and innovation. As a manufacturer, you have the opportunity to design and create unique pieces that are not commonly found in the market.
  • The furniture industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging every year. As a manufacturer, you have the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and create pieces that are relevant to current consumer preferences.

9. Furniture repair.

Furniture repair is the process of fixing or restoring damages on furniture items. It involves repairing or replacing broken parts, restoring finishes, and addressing any structural issues. It's an essential service that helps extend the life of furniture and save people money on replacement costs.

Why would furniture repair make a good business idea?

  • High demand: There will always be a need for furniture repair services as furniture items don't last forever, and accidents happen. Whether it's a simple scratch or a broken leg, people will need someone to fix it.
  • Eco-friendly: Furniture repair is a sustainable practice since it reduces the amount of waste going to landfills. Instead of throwing away a damaged piece of furniture, it can be fixed and restored to its former glory.
  • Low competition: The furniture repair industry is not as competitive as other industries, which means there's a high potential for growth.
  • Flexible business: Furniture repair can be done from home, with little overhead costs, making it an ideal business for those who want a flexible lifestyle.
  • Diverse customer base: Furniture repair services are in demand from homeowners to businesses such as hotels, offices or restaurants.
  • High profit margin: Furniture repair is a service-based business, meaning there is a high profit margin. As repair costs are much lower than the cost of replacing furniture items, clients would save money by soliciting your services.

10. Furniture staging.

If you're planning to sell your house, you want to make sure it looks its best to potential buyers. This is where furniture staging comes in. Furniture staging involves strategically placing furniture and decor in your home to make it look more attractive and inviting, with the goal of getting a higher offer and helping it sell faster.

  • Staging a home can increase sale price by as much as 20% compared to non-staged homes.
  • Staged homes typically sell faster than non-staged homes, an average of 73% faster according to a survey by the Real Estate Staging Association.
  • Staging can help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the home and create an emotional connection with the space.
  • Staged homes often have better photos for online listings which can attract more potential buyers.
  • Furniture staging can be used not just for homes, but also for commercial spaces such as offices, hotels and apartments.
  • This industry can be started with low investment as you can rent furniture and accessories if you don't have it of your own.
  • As a Furniture stager, your creativity and design ability can bring out the best in a property which can make your clients happy.
  • By becoming a furniture staging business owner, you can have a highly flexible schedule and you can work from home, giving you an opportunity to be your own boss.
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Successful Examples of Furniture Businesses:

Successful companies in the furniture business industry are those that adopt innovative design and manufacturing techniques, use quality materials, build relationships with customers and invest in marketing strategies. Here is a list of some successful companies in the furniture business industry:

  • Ikea
  • Ashley Furniture
  • Sears
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Williams-Sonoma
  • Target
  • Pottery Barn
  • Restoration Hardware
  • Crate and Barrel
  • Bob's Discount Furniture
More Content

Related Business Ideas

Below are some more business ideas you can epxplore as options.

Nick

Founder and CEO

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. In 2020, I left my job to build media websites and share my knowledge through newfoundr. Join me on my mission to make entrepreneurial success easier.