Why Furniture Manufacturers and Designers Should Consider Modular Systems

As property prices rise, owning spaces becomes a luxury, and many people turn to modular furniture, whether in residential complexes or offices.

Modular design provides freedom of movement and a spirit of teamwork in commercial spaces. It also has other benefits that people appreciate—that’s why it might be a good option for a furniture business to design or sell modular furniture.

Let’s take a closer look.

What is Modular Design Furniture?

Modular furniture, as the term suggests, is a collection of furniture items and pieces that can be customized to match your customers’ requirements. It has gained traction thanks to the many advantages it offers.

There are many types of modular furniture, such as modular storage systems, modular sectional sofas, modular desk systems, modular outdoor furniture, and other forms of modular millwork. Modular office furniture, including modular casework, has become popular in commercial buildings.

(Note that modular design is not limited to furniture – indeed, there are even modular homes.)

Modular furniture is designed to be both comfortable and functional so that it can suit any space. However, it is especially suitable for offices and homes that require some extra flexibility.

Consider the office – the requirements of work spaces have changed, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote working, freelancing, and flexible timings have become far more common than before. As businesses have changed, so have office spaces. Fixed furniture is now seen as somewhat dated, as it is not only expensive, but cumbersome to move around.

Kitchen modular systems are also becoming popular. Many modular kitchen furnishing manufacturers offer cabinets with pre-drilled holes so that shelves can be added depending on the space requirement. (Read up on custom kitchen cabinets if you’re interested in this!)

With that, let’s dive into the benefits of modular design furniture, so you can determine if it is worth considering for your furniture manufacturing or furniture design business. Remember, though, that if you do, it is always prudent to use accurate millwork shop drawings and furniture modeling.

Caption: 3D furniture modeling by BluEntCAD. 3D models such as these can be used in brochures, eCommerce websites, and more

Top 3 Benefits of Modular Furniture

There are many advantages that your customers can enjoy with modular design. Here are some of them.

1. Adaptability & Flexibility

The largest advantage is that this type of furniture can adapt to the changing needs and wants of customers.

• It is both accommodating and multi-functional, so your customers can personalize their spaces to fit their needs and aesthetics. Whether they want a movie night, a space for entertainment for guests, or anything else, modular design can make it work.

• It is great for some of the bigger changes that people go through. For instance, if your customers are adopting pets, moving in with a partner, starting a family, having people stay over, and so on, they can configure their modular pieces to suit the situation.

• Modular design’s flexibility makes it a “future-proof” option; it can adapt to a changing environment, especially a work environment, as well as advancements in technologies and work styles.

• It is both accommodating and multi-functional, so your customers can personalize their spaces to fit their needs and aesthetics. Whether they want a movie night, a space for entertainment for guests, or anything else, modular design can make it work.

• It is great for some of the bigger changes that people go through. For instance, if your customers are adopting pets, moving in with a partner, starting a family, having people stay over, and so on, they can configure their modular pieces to suit the situation.

• Modular design’s flexibility makes it a “future-proof” option; it can adapt to a changing environment, especially a work environment, as well as advancements in technologies and work styles.

2. Cost Savings

The cost savings can be significant for your customers.

• Furniture pieces can be added to or removed from existing modular pieces, as per requirements.

• If you are moving, whether to a different home or a different office, the furniture can more easily move with you.

• Thanks to the functionality and flexibility of modular design, you will not necessarily have to buy new furniture pieces in the future. Any time a change is required, the modular pieces can be reconfigured.

3. Easy Installation & Waste Reduction

• The installation process is often quick and easy, allowing you to save time and money, and immediately make use of a space.

• Generally, modular systems are more environmentally friendly than traditional furniture, since they introduce fewer objects and are often made with recyclable and reusable materials.

Disadvantages of Modular Systems

If you are considering adding modular systems to your furniture business, it is also important to know the drawbacks that can come with them.

• Hard to resell: Modular designs are often made to fit into a particular person’s space. This can be a limitation if one wishes to resell it.

• Local carpenters cannot be hired to solve problems: Professional work is required for maintenance and repair.

• Limited design options: While flexibility is one of the biggest selling points for modular design, the actual design options can be limited. This is because it is created in a standard format. Furthermore, customers who enjoy keeping up with every design trend may not enjoy using something with a pre-set theme meant to last for long.

• No sense of luxury: If you sell to customers who enjoy plush comforts, a wide range of modular designs may not be ideal. Due to the regular shapes and simplicity, modular designs often lack a sense of luxury or opulence. Even residential areas can seem more like offices with so much uniformity.

Conclusion

What do you think? Is modular furniture the future? Or will “regular” furniture always be the norm? Let us know in the comments!

If you are considering manufacturing or designing modular products, BluEntCAD has you covered for millwork drafting, SolidWorks modeling, and product modeling.

We serve casework companies, woodworking companies, custom furniture manufacturers, millwork manufacturing companies, signage manufacturers, interior designers, prefabricated home designers, and decks and fencing manufacturers. Browse our portfolio to see how we’ve helped companies like yours.

Ready to make your next project a success with millwork shop drawing services? Contact us now!