The Future For British-Made Furniture

Environmental concerns, the aftermath of Brexit and the pandemic are helping to fuel a growing appetite for locally produced goods, with British furniture being no exception. Partly as a result of severed supply chains and partly in support of UK businesses and jobs, consumers are waking up to the benefits of buying British. The UK has a long history of skilled carpentry and beautiful furniture can be crafted from indigenous materials without the need to ship pieces for thousands of miles, creating a high carbon footprint.

Farrow and Ball Dining Sets

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/collections/farrow-and-ball-painted-furniture

The UK furniture industry grew out of building items such as mill wheels and ships from native timbers such as elm and oak and wagon wheels from ash. We also have a wealth of other trees such as sycamore, beech, cherry and chestnut. This industry set out a template for crafting unique furniture that has been in place for hundreds of years and continues to be used today. Its heritage ensures the quality of British furniture and the process from design through to the finished piece is more closely linked than is the case with imported furniture.

man sanding down a sideboard

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/collections/modo 

As imports became cheaper and furniture became more disposable, the UK furniture industry declined. Overseas companies do not necessarily have a minimum living wage and their products may not meet the UK’s safe working conditions and product compliance standards. However, there are now growing environmental concerns around how much energy is expended getting imported items into people’s homes. People also worry about how the products were made and whether child labour and / or modern slavery were involved. Added to these sentiments, the movement against disposable goods including fashion and furniture is gaining ground whilst helping to secure British jobs against an increasingly volatile economic background is an added reason for buying British.

Mottisfont Furniture

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/collections/mottisfont-furniture

It goes without saying that if a piece of furniture is made locally, lead times are likely to be shorter and delivery dates are likely to be more reliable. The recent crisis in the Suez canal that temporarily blocked off shipping caused mayhem in many industries around the world and dealing with the pandemic affected supply chains. It makes sense then, to craft furniture close to the intended market and delivery times are an important consideration for many of our UK customers.

New England Painted Furniture

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/collections/new-england-painted-furniture

We at Furniture4YourHome have been sourcing hand-made furniture since 1990. We believe that our knowledge of the local market not only enables us to create the type of furniture that British customers want to buy, it also helps us to maintain high standards of customer service from ordering through to delivery.

Made in England Flag

 



from List Posts from Furniture 4 Your Home https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/blog/post/the-future-for-british-made-furniture
via Furniture4YourHome

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