With rising home equity, Howard Miller/Hekman continues to bet on flexible storage
High-end furniture manufacturer Howard Miller/Hekman is predicting home renovation growth in 2025, and will continue to bet on the home storage category.
HIGH POINT – High-end furniture manufacturer Howard Miller/Hekman is predicting home renovation growth in 2025 and will continue to bet on the home storage category as a result.
“2025 is looking up to be a strong year for home remodeling,” said Jim O’Keefe, vice president of sales. “Home equity has gone up 81% since 2019 and continues to rise. I think that bodes well for our custom cabinets.”
Introduced at the 2023 fall High Point Market, the company’s custom cabinets – launched under the Howard Miller brand – are modular and not a permanent fixture like typical cabinetry. They’re interchangeable wall units that can be configured in a multitude of ways and used in different rooms. They can be used as entertainment units, entryway credenzas and more.
“The category really gives great potential for furniture stores to compete in the cabinet business,” said O’Keefe. “A key advantage is that customers can take the cabinets with them if they move into a new place. “It’s been a strong category for us which continues to grow. We’re always adding options, one example being a fireplace.
Customers can select from two top options (slab top or cove top), three base options (traditional, transitional or contemporary), 11 wood finishes including four new additions, and three hardware styles offered in three different finishes. Customers will work with in-store designers to create exactly what they want.
All cabinets are made at Howard Miller’s Michigan factory and ship in three weeks.
Outside of storage, Hekman launched its usual one full collection. This time it was Fairfax, which features seven bedroom pieces, five dining items and 12 occasional pieces crafted from solids and veneers in trembisi wood.
“It’s a traditional look in trembisi, which is alternative to teak,” said O’Keefe. “But it grows faster and is more plentiful.”
Accents and entertainment also saw introductions. More than 25 new SKUs were introduced, encompassing 15 small chairside tables commodes and pedestals, as well as six entertainment centers, two desks and a new occasional group crafted of solid mahogany with hand-hewn surfaces.
On the upholstery side, the company introduced new fabrics and an assortment of frames. Three new styles of swivel stools were shown, as well as three new standard stool styles, two dining chair styles and two accent chair styles.
Other highlights were the Novo headboard program, which offers four styles of wood-framed headboards in 150 fabrics and four finishes in either plain, tufted or button tufted versions. A custom office chair program is also offered with the same number of fabrics, with options for a four- or five-star base.
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