by Jeff Frank | Dec 7, 2021 | Ask the Expert, Furniture Construction, Furniture Design, Furniture History
When IKEA was first introduced in the 1950s and 1960s, its “cheap furniture” was unlike anything that had existed previously. IKEA is an excellent example of “cheap furniture” designed for manufacturing simplicity, production productivity, raw...
by Jeff Frank | May 20, 2018 | Furniture Costs, Furniture FAQs, Furniture History, Furniture Manufacturers, Furniture Stores
Up until the 1990s furniture manufacturers (in particular wood furniture manufacturers) were highly inefficient and frequently produced too much of some products. These “closeouts” and “overstocks” were sold at deep discounts to small and...
by Jeff Frank | May 19, 2018 | Furniture Brands, Furniture Construction, Furniture Costs, Furniture FAQs, Furniture History, Furniture Manufacturers, Furniture Sales Tactics, Furniture Stores, RTA Furniture
Beginning in the 1950s, IKEA created a new lifestyle emphasizing low cost furniture and home furnishings. Although “cheap” furniture was nothing new, IKEA was the first to transform low cost individual products into a unified lifestyle concept that was...
by Jeff Frank | Nov 19, 2017 | Furniture Brands, Furniture Construction, Furniture Costs, Furniture FAQs, Furniture History, Furniture Manufacturers, Furniture Sales Tactics, Furniture Stores
IKEA’s furniture is so accepted today that most people do not remember the challenges faced by the company during its earliest days. I first encountered IKEA during the 1970s when it was just beginning to enter the American market. At that time I was a buyer for a...
by Jeff Frank | Jul 28, 2017 | Furniture FAQs, Uncategorized
Shop around at places that sell used furniture. Check out estate sales. Don’t worry about finding matching pieces. If the cost is too high, make a counteroffer at a price you can afford. Take your time and find things you really like. Avoid used mattresses....
by Jeff Frank | Jul 28, 2017 | Furniture FAQs, Uncategorized
You are limited only by the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into the search. If time is limited online retailers provide huge selections with reasonable pricing. Don’t expect the prices to be any better than you can find in brick and mortar...
