Meet&CoBring up the word “shrinkflation” to anyone who has walked through a supermarket lately, and you’ll likely trigger an instant grimace. No one enjoys discovering that their favorite cookies cost the same but come in a noticeably smaller package.
Yet, at the fall High Point Market, it became evident that consumers don’t react the same way when it comes to downsized furniture. In fact, compact designs were one of the event’s biggest standouts.
Source: https://www.furnituretoday.com/
With rising costs affecting manufacturers and shoppers alike, scaled-down furniture has emerged as a welcome solution, helping both sides stretch budgets further. More importantly, it signals a promising path for industry growth in the months and years ahead. Reflecting the furniture sector’s adaptability in 2024, many brands are now moving swiftly to seize this shift in demand.
A major factor driving this momentum is how broader economic trends influence the choices made by homeowners and businesses. Fluctuations in the housing market don’t just affect the volume of furniture purchases — they also reshape what kinds of pieces people choose when they move or renovate.
With affordability challenges still weighing on many regions, first-time buyers are increasingly seeking stylish, functional pieces that fit comfortably into smaller living spaces. By monitoring these consumer patterns and incorporating them into new collections, companies like full-line supplier Meridian have made compact silhouettes a signature element of their brand.
“Our team has seen that most new builds are getting smaller, so we’ve intentionally steered away from oversized pieces,” said Mitch Hodges, vice president of sales. “Scaling down helps us better serve new homeowners who are embracing open-concept layouts.”
Today’s buyers often face space limitations, and long-term trends — including urban job growth and the winding down of remote work — have only amplified the need for smaller-scale furnishings.
Meridian has made it a priority to meet these shifting needs, positioning itself to benefit as demand for efficient, space-smart designs accelerates.
“City movers don’t need an 84-inch or 102-inch dining table; they want something more compact. The same is true for sectionals,” Hodges explained. “As open floor plans grow in popularity, people want modularity or smaller dining options to free up their living areas. We’ve built products around that audience, and it’s boosted our sales significantly.”
The advantages of downsized designs extend beyond aesthetics and usability — they also strengthen the supply chain. With tariffs and fluctuating freight rates creating constant uncertainty, smaller and modular pieces help brands maximize container space, reduce warehousing expenses, and give retailers more purchasing flexibility. Leaner designs can also lower the cost of delivering goods to consumers, improving efficiency and reducing last-mile labor demands.
As logistics costs continue to squeeze margins across the industry, compact furniture is proving to be an effective response to a challenging economic environment.
Few strategies deliver such clear advantages: reducing operational costs while simultaneously aligning with what customers are actively looking for. As we look toward 2026, the shift toward smaller-scale furniture feels not only practical but inevitable. So if shrinking my sofa helps lower costs, go ahead — just don’t shrink the snacks I plan to enjoy on it.
