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GX Outdoors lean towards handmade options (31%) for their craftsmanship
and durability.
Gender-wise, preferences are nearly even, with a slight
female tilt towards modular (22.8%). Residents of owned
homes and independent houses prefer handmade pieces for
their permanence and value, whereas renters opt for modular

due to convenience and lower cost.
Higher-income groups (₹15L+) show a strong preference
for modular (45%), reflecting modern lifestyles, while middle-
income consumers are evenly split, and lower-income groups
Yet, experts have pinpointed substantial growth potential in show limited preference for either, largely due to affordability
both types of furniture. concerns.
There was a clear understanding that improving quality and Awareness of modular brands like IKEA is high (91%),
design standardisation, along with incorporating customised but unfamiliarity is more common among those earning below
solutions, could boost the reliability and attractiveness of ₹5L annually. Key purchase drivers include cost-effectiveness

modular furniture. (71%), durability (69%), and customisation (60%).
At the same time, handmade furniture provides distinct Most consumers buy from local carpenters or showrooms,
value by supporting local artisanship, offering high levels of though 48% have purchased online.
customisation, and aligning with luxury design trends. In modular furniture, design (84%), value for money (71%),
Survey findings reveal that 64.9 percent of professionals and ease of assembly (61%) are prioritised, though challenges
predict that, over the next decade, the industry will gravitate include limited customisation (43%), poor durability (25%), and
more towards modular furniture. However, to foster the difficulty in assembly (21%).

growth of the handmade furniture market, experts stressed Handmade furniture is valued for durability (61%), unique
the importance of adapting to modern consumer demands, design (55%), and craftsmanship (47%), but barriers include
especially regarding affordability, access to labour, and integration high cost (51%), long production time (49%), and limited
with modular designs. availability (28%).
The primary recommendation promotes a hybrid approach Consumers would consider handmade furniture if it were
that combines the practicality of modular furniture with the more locally available (56%), cost-effective (45%), and faster
benefits of artisanal methods, addressing market demands to deliver (39%). Modular’s appeal would grow with modern
while preserving traditional craftsmanship. design options (64%), cost-effectiveness (50%), and ease of
Survey 2: Consumer Insights On Furniture Preferences & assembly (46%).

Market Awareness Although 69 percent view modular as the future, improved
The analysis reveals a delicate divide in consumer durability (66%) and customisation (61%) are essential for
preferences between handmade/customised and modular/ innovation. Handmade furniture retains appeal for its quality,
assembled furniture, based on age, gender, income, and type especially among high-income groups, with many willing to pay
of residence. more if delivery and warranty conditions improve.
Younger individuals (18–34) favour modular furniture (31%) A generational shift is apparent. To examine the hypothesis
for its affordability and portability, while older consumers (35+) (H₁), responses from the 157 participants were grouped by