MARKET INTELLIGENCE

European consumption of office furniture showed a slight contraction to a value of EUR 9,5 billion in 2024. This result was heavily influenced by declines in Germany and France, where the market fell by between 4% and 5% during the year. On the other hand, among the largest Western European markets, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom performed positively in 2024.

Origin of Office Furniture Imports in Europe, 2019-2024.
Million EUR and shares 2024, % changes 2024/2019

Considering that local production fell much more significantly than the market, it should be noted that extra-European imports (China in particular) have become increasingly important in meeting the demand for office furniture.

In 2024, European imports totalled EUR 4,623 million, representing an increase of +1.8% compared to the previous year. It is worth noting that imports from Asia-Pacific represented 32% of the total and increased rapidly in the medium term. On the contrary, imports within the continent reduced from 72% of the total in 2019 to about 66% of the total in 2024.

RESIZING OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY

One of the various transformation factors affecting the office furniture sector is certainly the resizing of production capacity inside (continental) Europe. As a result of mergers and acquisitions in the sector, there is a much smaller number of production plants and specialised brands on the market.
Employment levels were also adversely affected, with a reduction of around 3,000 units compared to 2019. The operational activity of office furniture manufacturers, which for many years was solely focused on enhancing industrial production and product volumes, has changed radically over time.

In a situation of declining market demand, companies have concentrated their efforts on increasing the quality of their offerings and enhancing the level of customer service. Today, office furniture incorporates a combination of design and technology that was unthinkable a decade ago. The materials used, the finishes, the fabrics, and the assembly characteristics all start from a conception aimed at sustainability and recycling of the products themselves, as well as possible reconditioning to extend their period of use.

EDUCATION TO EMERGE AMONG CUSTOMERS

In the context described above, it is interesting to note that the target customers of office companies have also changed. Looking at the destination segments, the corporate segment, while remaining the main destination, has partially declined compared to 2019; a similar trend has been registered by government offices and small businesses.

It was the non-traditional, but office-related destinations, that grew the most. Above all, the education segment and other contract destinations in general. But even the home office (which has been declining since the peak of the pandemic) today shows a market value that is starkly above 2019 levels.

European Office furniture consumption by destination, 2019 and 2024. Percentage shares

Education furniture sector has always represented a collateral market to the office furniture one, especially when it comes to higher education and universities. It has to be said that, while in countries like the US companies have always been structurally organised to supply this type of furniture, in other areas, such as Europe, interest in this sector has been fairly sporadic.

However, in more recent years, the situation seems to have definitely changed. The weak dynamic of office demand has led companies to look at all possibilities of expanding business, and education is among them.
The educational furniture market continues to show a clear growth trend driven by the enormous resources of the NRP and new educational approaches. As educational philosophies have shifted towards interactive and collaborative student-centred methods, the design of classroom furniture has also changed.

Today, the focus is on creating versatile, comfortable, and inclusive spaces that support different learning styles and technologies. Ergonomics has taken a prominent role in the design of school furniture. Adjustable chairs and desks, mobile furniture such as desks and chairs on castors that can be easily reconfigured, allow classrooms to be organised dynamically. Workstation wiring, interactive whiteboards, and screens have reshaped the traditional classroom layout by opening up to technology integration.

With the expansion of the ‘all-day’ schooling, the demand for furniture is also opening up to new categories. Schools have begun to incorporate breakout spaces in classrooms with cosy reading corners and ‘cocoons’ to offer students the opportunity to relax and maintain high levels of engagement and productivity. Aesthetics also play a key role in creating a stimulating learning environment.

Bright colours, innovative shapes, and creative design are used to inspire and engage students. Sustainability aspects are also becoming a critical factor in the design of school furniture. Many schools and institutions prioritise environmentally friendly materials, such as responsibly sourced wood, recyclable plastics, and low-emission finishes. However, the incidence of ‘sustainable’ furniture is also linked to the introduction of new purchasing regulations in the public sector (e.g., CAM in Italy) that impose minimum sustainability criteria in the procurement process.

It has to be said that the general trends described above differ from country to country. For example, adjustable desks are mainly present in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Germany, while the incidence of this product is still negligible in other countries. Of course, spending budgets vary significantly between state and public schools. The latter (expanding) are the most attractive because they are more inclined to invest in technology and demand complete packages, not only for classrooms but also for common areas and laboratories.

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Want to know more?

The CSIL Report ‘The European Market for Office Furniture’ offers an extensive analysis of the office furniture market in Europe with production values, market trends, and international trade for 30 countries, outlining product segments, distribution channels, key trends impacting the industry, and emerging demand drivers.

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Source: CSIL World Furniture Magazine #07, September 2025

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