How will tariffs impact upholstery purchases? Consumers weigh in

HIGH POINT —Even before President Donald Trump announced his latest 30% tariff on upholstered furniture, consumers in the market for new sofas, chairs and sectionals were well-aware of the impact of tariffs on furniture prices.

In an exclusive Furniture Today/Strategic Insights upholstery survey that polled more than 1,000 consumers this summer, 77% acknowledged knowing about the effect of tariffs on pricing, with Gen Z showing the highest level of awareness at 83%.

Few respondents — just 5% — believed tariffs wouldn’t impact prices. Instead, nearly half (47%) said they expected tariff-related issues to linger this year and have a longer-term impact on pricing.

Respondents were split on what actions, if any, they would take regarding their upholstery purchases in the light of tariffs. The survey found 22% were planning to accelerate their purchase in the face of rising prices attributed to tariffs, while slightly more (30%) considered delaying a purchase as they waited for more information on product availability. One-fourth said they would expand the number of brands and retailers they shop and 23% felt tariffs would have no impact on their buying decisions.

Baby Boomers were the most likely to delay buying new upholstered furniture (37%), and at 30%, Gen X was the age cohort most open to shopping more brands and stores. The impact of tariffs was felt strongest by Millennials, with only 16% saying tariffs wouldn’t affect a purchase.

There was also overwhelming interest in buying U.S.-made upholstered furniture in light of the tariffs. Those saying they were “definitely” or “slightly” more interested in buying domestic-made product accounted for 71% of respondents vs. just 11% who were not at all interested.

Gen Z demonstrated the most interest (85%), although many more in this age group were slightly interested in U.S.-made (52%) vs. definitely interested (33%); Gen X, at 56%, was the low end for expressing interest in domestic upholstered furniture.

Methodology

The Furniture Today/Strategic Insights upholstery survey was conducted between July 25 and Aug. 7 among 1,018 adults 18 and older who were planning to make an upholstery purchase such as a sectional, sofa, loveseat, sleeper sofa, motion chair or stationary chair in the coming year.