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What to do when furniture lead times are long

by | Aug 2, 2021 | Learning Center, Uncategorized

Earlier this year we posted about the supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic and well just… 2020… 

In recent months however things in the home furnishings industry have taken a turn for the worse with furniture lead times as far out as 25-35 weeks or even.. 2022 as a delivery date. 

This is happening for several reasons ranging from material shortages (foam and lumber) to issues with shipping and transportation. 

This post isn’t going to break all of that down for you, this post is going to tell you how you can get furniture without having to wait 35 weeks for it!   

In Stock Items

There’s hope. If you REALLY need a new sofa then check sites like pottery barn, west elm, and the like for their ‘quick ship upholstery’ category. Here you’ll find a pretty good selection of furniture available in 1-3 weeks. You may not be able to be too picky about the upholstery though because they don’t offer a wide variety of colors in quick ship. You can also go to any category and select the ‘in stock and ready to ship option’ in the filters. 

Antique & Thrift Stores

Good News! Blending new and old, and contemporary and antique items together in one space is very much in right now. 

Shopping for antique and thrifted items is great for a number of reasons. One, it’s great for the environment since you’re repurposing items and keeping them out of landfills. And two, it adds depth to a space when something is worn and aged well. Adding these items to your decor will go a long way in making sure your house doesn’t resemble and IKEA display room or a target advertisement. 

As far as shortages go there is no shortage of antiques out there so hop on craigslist or facebook marketplace or plan a day trip and go hunting at your local antique and thrift stores! In doing so chances are you’ll get to take the furniture you need home with you and avoid hefty lead times. 

Keep your chin up

As frustrating as spending tons of time at home might be, combined with the fact that you feel incapable of finding items to make your house feel comfortable it’s important to remember that this too shall pass! We will eventually come out on the other side of all that 2020 did to this industry, we just have to be resourceful and stay positive.

About The Author 

Lauren Murphy is Murphy’s Designs Selection Specialist and has been working for the company since 2010. She has a background in photography, and a certificate in Home Staging and Redesign. She loves to spend time researching new products and materials and staying up to date on all the Kitchen and Bath design trends.