Page 50 - FDMAsia Jul/Aug 2026
P. 50

48   DESIGN                                                                       JUL/AUG 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com






         Total Office Interiors                              lifestyles  and  resulting  in  a  greater  need  for  contemporary,
                                                             space-saving, and multifunctional furniture options.
                                                                This trend is particularly prominent among young professionals
                                                             and nuclear families, whose preferences have driven the growth
                                                             of the modular furniture market. The global modular furniture
                                                             market is projected to reach US$130.6 billion by 2034, with the

                                                             Indian market expected to grow to US$7.53 billion by 2033.
                                                                Survey findings align with this shift, indicating that modular
                                                             furniture  is  favoured  for  its  affordability,  quick  delivery,  and
                                                             contemporary aesthetics, while handmade furniture remains valued
                                                             for  its  durability,  customisation,  and  emotional  significance—
          portable, and easily assembled or disassembled. This significant   especially among experienced professionals and high-income
          difference shows adaptability is preferred over stability.  consumers.
            The materials used for modular furniture are cost-effective   Over 64 percent of respondents across both consumer and
          and facilitate mass production but raised questions regarding   professional groups identify modular furniture as the future of

          long-term durability. The industry professionals like architects   the industry, although challenges such as limited customisation
          and  interior  designers  also  pointed  out  during  the  interviews   and material quality persist.
          that the craftsman availability is an additional issue.   The  analysis  shows  that  the  modular  sectors  success
                                                             depends on efficiency with personalisation, with semi-customisable
          Cost Of Time                                       designs  increasingly  mimicking  the  uniqueness  of  artisanal
          Though everyone desires handmade furniture, consumers   craftsmanship.
          are not ready to give it the time and money required for fine   The interview and its analysis underline the above conclusion

          workmanship. Only people of higher income group or older   of  modular  being  the  future  due  to  its  ability  to  adapt  with
          generation understand the value of the unique pieces created   the  change  like  rental  culture,  fast  paced  living,  but  also
          in handmade furniture.                             highlights the plight of artisans, limited accessibility, cost and
            To address the mass a hybrid solution is required where   their readiness for change.
          consumers  can  get  unique  pieces  but  still  be  modular  in
          nature. Also,  an  awareness  about  the  skills  and  knowledge   Clear Shift Towards Modular
          our artisans have needs to be spread.              Through data triangulation one can find the common aspects
            Most  of  architects/interior  designers  have  then  sought  a   on which all the three modules stress on.
          mid-way to incorporate both modular and handmade furniture   Firstly, it establishes the shift that modular furniture is going

          into a household to better fit with the demands of quick delivery   to dominate the industry. Secondly, it highlights pros and cons
          and cost effectiveness.                            for handmade and modular furniture and lastly it demands of
            The shift towards modular furniture captures a fast urban   hybrid solution that can satiate both where modern consumer
          lifestyle and consumer behaviour influenced by speed, flexibility,   demands  are  responded  to  while  preserving  tradition  thus
          and affordability.                                 enhancing unique value and functional appeal and the artisans’
            Urbanisation in India increased from 34.03 percent in 2018   values in tradition.
          to 35.87 percent in 2022, considerably transforming consumer   Triangulation  of  the  three  data  sources  strengthens  this
   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55