Levent Öztekin, chair of the Central Anatolia Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters' Association, said artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and the green transformation have ushered in a new era in the furniture industry.
Öztekin said the global furniture market exceeds $700 billion and that smart furniture offering multifunctional solutions will play an important role in the industry's growth.
The smart furniture market is growing
According to estimates cited by Öztekin, the global smart furniture market, currently worth approximately $5 billion, will grow by an average of 15% annually. The market is projected to approach $9–10 billion within five years.
Wireless charging, voice control and ergonomic automation features are expected to become more prominent in desks and seating groups. In bedrooms, artificial intelligence-powered health and sleep-monitoring systems are expected to become more widespread.
As smart furniture becomes connected to home systems, the use of sensor-equipped height-adjustable desks, health-monitoring systems, climate control, snore detection and smart beds that track biometric data is expected to increase.
Demand for eco-friendly products is rising
The current size of the eco-friendly furniture market in Europe and the United States is estimated at $27.5 billion. The market is expected to grow by 5–6% annually and exceed $35 billion within five years.
Regulations and consumer demand are driving this trend. Under the European Union's ecodesign regulations, furniture is required to have a Digital Product Passport that provides full traceability, along with repairability features.
Under clean purchasing standards applied at the federal level in the United States, public tenders require the use of recycled and low-carbon furniture.
New-generation consumers prioritize a low carbon footprint and human health alongside aesthetics and comfort. Furniture made with FSC-certified wood, recycled materials and biodegradable components meets this demand.
Young consumers in particular are increasingly concerned about indoor air quality, materials free from toxic substances and the protection of natural resources, driving long-lasting and ethically produced designs to the forefront.
A design competition will support the transformation
Öztekin said smart and sustainable furniture is moving beyond luxury consumption products to become one of the market's fundamental elements. He said the furniture industry is taking the necessary steps to adapt to this transformation.
The 17th National Furniture Design Competition is being held under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and in cooperation with the Turkish Exporters Assembly to support production in the industry.
Öztekin said they expect young designers to develop human- and nature-centered projects that take into account new lifestyles shaped by artificial intelligence, smart technologies and eco-friendly materials. Organized under the vision of “Design for Export,” the competition aims to contribute to the industry's twin transformation through approaches that combine technology with aesthetic design.
