The residential furniture industry continues to display slow, but steady signs of improvement, with the year-to-date figures from Smith Leonard’s Furniture Insights showing a 1% gain in new orders over the first 8 months of 2015, and shipments holding about even.

We continue to see a number of manufacturers expanding and/or reshoring, particularly on the upholstered side, due in part to a desire for fast delivery and customization. 

What’s trending: The tiny/portable home trend has consumers shying away from large, overstuffed sofas and king-sized beds, instead opting for furniture designed for small spaces, says research agency Columino.

(Click on the infographic to enlarge.)

Information Sources: American Home Furnishings Alliance, U.S. Department of Commerce- Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., Conlumino USA, Statista and Mann, Armistead & Epperson Ltd. (Furnishings Digest)

Category: Residential furniture includes: wood & upholstered furniture, casegoods, RTA, bedroom & youth, entertainment units