Night Magazine \'One to watch-Contract furniture market\' interview with Moda MD

Do you think the contract furniture markets will merge with the domestic furniture markets in the future?

There is possibly no clear answer to this question. These 2 huge industries have some many similarities - yet are still miles apart. I will try my best to explain!

LEGISLATION

The biggest single differential between domestic and contract furniture is the BS 5852 'CRIB 5' fire test certification required for contract environments.

Even with the abolition of smoking in public places, I think this legislation is here to stay. With increasing concerns over chemicals used in domestic furniture and the extra costs incurred by treating the fabrics, it also seems unlikely domestic fabric will be manufactured to CRIB 5 on a large scale.

However - Over recent years many interior designers in the leisure market are increasingly specifying domestic fabrics in their quest for more weird and wonderful designs. This then has to be treated to the CRIB 5 standards by the furniture supplier before it is suitable for use.

It must be noted that many domestic fabrics - due to their delicate looks and construction - will not fair well in a contract environment over a period of time.

MERGING MARKETS

Now moving away from fabrics and on to the furniture suppliers themselves, there has been a massive rise in the competition in the contract furniture market fuelled by the exodus of small independent domestic suppliers looking for new sources of income due to the rise the likes of Ikea, Argos, eBay and even Tesco's flooding the furniture market with low priced furniture.

So in many respects merging between the 2 markets in has been well established for several years.

BUYERS BEWARE!

Now before you run out to your local domestic supplier to pick up a January sale, bear a few points in mind to make sure you don’t end up the wrong side of the law or out of pocket!

I recently visited one of the top bar/restaurants in the UK, it became apparent throughout the evening that the fancy red plastic chairs we were sitting on were not suitable for the contract market. This was emphasised when a loud 'snap' came from the back of one of the chairs! After manhandling several of the other chairs it was clear to see that although only a few months old many of them were showing serious flaws!

In our excessively disposable society of recent years, buyers in the contract market have fallen for the stylish domestic look and cheap prices.

You just have to look in the back of industry magazines to see the highback leather dining chairs for £35, when most contract furniture companies will charge you double! There is a reason for this, usually the offer price is not for a Crib 5 material (you must be able to prove all fabrics in your venue are crib 5) and also if you sit on one of these chairs in 6 months time - there will be no comparison. I guarantee, with the cheaper version you will feel like you are sat on a wooden frame with the properties of a rocking horse, as opposed to a chair sourced from a reputable contract supplier which will feel comfortable and sturdy for literally years!

With an experienced contract furniture company (such as Moda Furniture!) you can get the piece of mind what you are actually spending your money on is suitable for use, legal and will not fall to pieces every 6>12 months.

Which is why many premium companies and designers, such as Julian Taylor design and Revolution bars put such a high emphasis on using quality furniture and furniture suppliers as a signature of their brands.

As the old saying goes 'you get what you pay for'.