What furniture is in high demand right now? 2025 trends and top sellers

Right now, if you’re shopping for furniture, you’re not just buying a chair or a table-you’re buying a solution. People aren’t just looking for style anymore. They want pieces that work harder, fit tighter, and last longer. The furniture market in 2025 is shaped by smaller homes, tighter budgets, and a growing need for spaces that do more with less. So what’s actually selling? What’s flying off the shelves in Wellington, Sydney, and beyond?

Multi-functional furniture is the biggest winner

If you’ve walked into any major furniture store lately, you’ve seen it: sofas that turn into beds, tables that expand for guests, storage ottomans that double as seats. This isn’t just a trend-it’s a necessity. With urban living spaces shrinking and remote work sticking around, people need furniture that adapts. A sofa bed that folds out cleanly and looks good even when closed? That’s a bestseller. A dining table with hidden drawers for linens and cutlery? Sold out for months.

One brand in particular, made in New Zealand, has seen a 68% spike in sales of modular storage units since January. These aren’t bulky wardrobes. They’re slim, wall-mounted units with sliding panels that hide electronics, books, or toys. They’re designed for apartments under 70 square meters. That’s the sweet spot right now: smart, compact, and invisible when not in use.

Wood with character is back-no more flat-pack perfection

Remember those all-white, minimalist IKEA-style pieces? They’re still around, but they’re no longer the star. Buyers now want wood that tells a story. Reclaimed timber, live-edge slabs, hand-planed finishes, visible knots and grain patterns-these aren’t flaws. They’re features. In 2025, 72% of customers say they’d pay up to 30% more for a piece with natural imperfections over a factory-perfect one.

Why? Because people are tired of soulless spaces. They want their homes to feel lived-in, not staged. A solid oak dining table with uneven edges and a few dings from years of family meals? That’s the kind of piece that gets shared on Instagram-not because it’s perfect, but because it feels real. Even in rental apartments, tenants are asking for furniture with character. Landlords are responding by upgrading from particleboard to solid wood, knowing it holds value longer.

Outdoor furniture isn’t just for patios anymore

Outdoor furniture is no longer just about deck chairs and umbrellas. People are treating their balconies, courtyards, and even small backyards like extended living rooms. That means they want the same comfort indoors-deep-seated sofas, weather-resistant cushions, and side tables that don’t rust.

Teak and powder-coated aluminum are still top materials, but the real shift is in design. Modular outdoor sectionals are selling faster than ever. Customers buy one section, then add another six months later. They’re building their outdoor space like a puzzle. Brands that offer interchangeable pieces-swap a chaise for a footrest, add a fire pit module-are seeing repeat purchases and higher average order values.

In Wellington, where rain is common and sun is precious, buyers are choosing furniture with quick-dry foam and removable, machine-washable covers. No more soggy cushions. No more faded fabrics. That’s what’s driving sales now.

Bedroom furniture is getting smarter, not bigger

Bedrooms are shrinking. But the need for rest, privacy, and calm is growing. So bedroom furniture is evolving. The old dresser-and-nightstand combo? It’s being replaced by low-profile platforms with built-in storage. Headboards with integrated USB ports and wireless charging? Standard. Nightstands that double as mini-bars or charging stations? Common.

One major shift: people are moving away from matching bedroom sets. No one wants a room that looks like a showroom. Instead, they’re mixing a rustic wooden bed frame with a sleek metal dresser and a vintage-inspired lamp. The key is cohesion through texture and tone-not matching finishes.

Also, mattress foundations are no longer just slats. Adjustable bases that let you elevate your head or feet are now in 41% of new bedroom setups. It’s not just for back pain. People use them to read, watch TV, or just relax. That’s a game-changer.

Home office furniture is still hot-but not the way you think

Yes, people still need desks and chairs. But the office furniture boom isn’t about fancy ergonomic chairs anymore. It’s about integration. Desks with built-in cable management, hidden power outlets, and space for monitors, printers, and plants are the winners. The old “desk and chair” setup is dead. What’s rising is the workstation-something that looks like a console table until you plug in your laptop.

And the chairs? People want comfort without the bulk. Lightweight, breathable mesh chairs with adjustable lumbar support are outselling leather executive chairs by 3 to 1. Why? Because they fit under desks in small apartments, roll easily, and don’t look like they belong in a corporate boardroom.

Also, standing desks aren’t just for tech workers anymore. They’re in kitchens, living rooms, even bedrooms. People are using them as writing desks, craft stations, or breakfast bars. Versatility is king.

What’s NOT selling anymore

Not every trend is a winner. Here’s what’s fading fast:

• Large, ornate sectionals-too big for most modern homes
• Matching living room sets-too formal, too predictable
• High-gloss finishes-they show every fingerprint and scratch
• Heavy, dark wood-feels closed-in, not calming
• Single-purpose furniture-a coffee table that only holds coffee? No thanks

Buyers are rejecting anything that feels like a waste of space. If it doesn’t serve multiple roles, it’s getting passed over.

What to look for when buying now

If you’re shopping for furniture in 2025, here’s what to prioritize:

1. Function over form-Does it store? Fold? Adjust? Charge? Move?
2. Material honesty-Solid wood, real metal, natural fibers. Avoid anything labeled “engineered wood” unless it’s clearly reinforced.
3. Modularity-Can you add to it later? Swap parts? Reconfigure?
4. Easy cleaning-Stain-resistant fabrics, removable covers, wipeable surfaces.
5. Local makers-New Zealand-made pieces are surging in popularity. They’re built for our climate, shipped with less carbon, and often come with lifetime repair guarantees.

Don’t buy something just because it looks good in a photo. Ask: Will I still love this in six months? Can I move it if I rent? Will it survive a pet, a kid, or a rainy Wellington afternoon?

Final thought: Furniture is personal again

The biggest shift in 2025? People are treating furniture like they treat their clothes. They want pieces that fit their life-not a catalog. A chair that creaks just right when you lean back? That’s yours. A table with a scratch from your kid’s crayons? That’s a memory, not a flaw.

High-demand furniture isn’t about being trendy. It’s about being useful, durable, and deeply personal. The pieces that sell best today aren’t the most expensive. They’re the ones that make your home feel like it was made for you.