Designers take note: Survey says room packages still a winner with consumers

We were intrigued by a recent survey conducted by Furniture Today that showed a sizeable number of consumers – especially Millennials -- prefer to buy home furnishings in room packages.

Given the consumer’s well-known preference for eclectic pieces instead of suites and seating groups in recent years, this finding might seem surprising. But this item-by-item approach can work just as well when furnishing an entire room on a single shopping trip, and that offers some significant sales opportunities for interior designers and retail sales associates whose stores focus on room packages and price such packages accordingly.

According to the survey, 41 percent of Millennials said they strongly agree or somewhat agree with the idea of buying room packages, as do 37 percent of Gen Xers and 33 percent of Gen Z. The only demographic group that isn’t too keen on the ides is Baby Boomers. Only 18 percent said they strongly agree or somewhat agree with it.

But regardless of the preferred shopping habits of Baby Boomers, we think these survey numbers represent good news for interior designers – a group that always has preferred furnishing a whole room or an entire house. Since the survey indicates it may now be a lot easier for designers to “sell” consumers on the notion of furnishing a whole room, that gives designers a lot more time to focus on the fun stuff – picking out the specific pieces of furniture.

As part of that process, interior designers need to carefully choose vendors who have products to furnish an entire room, as well. Zuo is one such vendors, and CEO Luis Ruesga says the consumer’s appetite for room packages has helped the company boost its business with designers.

“Buyers from all retail channels are wanting to do more business with fewer vendors,” Ruesga said. “We’re in a great position to fill that need, and we’re working hard to keep our top selling items in stock, despite all the supply chain challenges.”

A wide array of Zuo’s upholstery, dining, decorative accessories, accent and outdoor furniture offerings can be seen in the company’s showroom beginning this Saturday, June 5 at the High Point Market. If you can’t make it to the market, a virtual showroom tour is available from the homepage of the company’s website.