The home decor market in Italy

The furniture market includes various accessories and items used to furnish and decorate homes.

According to FederLegnoArredo, the Italian furniture market includes:

Large furniture (such as beds, benches, and sofas), registered under Ateco code 31,

Lighting equipment and accessories, registered under Ateco code 27.4,

Ceramic floor and wall tiles, registered under Ateco code 23.31,

Bricks, tiles, and other earthen building products registered under Ateco code 23.31,

Ceramic products for household and ornamental use, registered under Ateco code 23.41,

Textile objects and products for home decoration (such as curtains, pillows, tablecloths, and mirrors),

Small furniture items (such as lamps, coffee tables, bedside tables).

In addition, the market is also populated by distributors, which include:

Intermediaries in the furniture, furnishings, and hardware trade, registered under Ateco code 46.15,

Sales of furniture, lighting, and other furnishings in specialty stores, registered under Ateco code 47.59.

By 2022, global (100 countries) furniture market growth is estimated at 4 percent. The leading furniture producer remains China, with a 39 percent share worldwide. China is competing mainly with the United States, Germany, Italy, India, Poland, and Vietnam.

Italy holds a leading position in the global market and is the fourth largest furniture producer worldwide. In addition, Italy has a long tradition in interior decoration, and "Made in Italy" furniture and home furnishings are considered a symbol of high quality abroad.

Moreover, in Italy, home decoration has become a way of life that has shaped both the country's culture and economy. Every year, more and more companies attend the so-called "Salone del Mobile," the world's largest furniture fair, to display their work or to see the latest trends in the industry.

The Italian market is highly fragmented and is populated by tens of thousands of operators. The vast majority of operators - more than 80 percent - are artisans and small businesses with fewer than 10 people.

Finally, the Covid-19 crisis struck an already uncertain situation in 2020. Furniture production was drastically reduced in March 2020 but returned to pre-Covid-19 levels in July 2020. Despite the demand in the contract and large project segment declining, demand concerning the residential contract segment remained stable.