What is flat-pack furniture?

Flat-pack is the term associated with modern furniture.

This type of product is normally delivered in pieces, inside a flat package.

It can be assembled in the home. Instructions are supplied but some customers complain that they are difficult to follow.

Introduction to Flat-pack Furniture

MANUFACTURED BOARDS and COMPOSITE MATERIALS have allowed designers to explore new ways of constructing products for the home.

The development of flat-pack products continues and companies such as IKEA©, Next© and Habitat© invest time and money updating and replacing their product ranges.

Advantages to the Manufacturers

Fabrication is expensive for the manufacturer. Costs are reduced if the customer assembles the products.

Flat-pack products are easier to transport than assembled products. They may be transported in larger quantities in a single journey.

Advantages to the Manufacturers...

CAM is used to manufacture most flat-pack furniture. The set up costs may be expensive but it saves the manufacturer money in the long-term.

Flat-pack furniture is generally less expensive than permanently jointed timber furniture.

Advantages to the Retailers

Flat-pack furniture takes up less space. Examples of a product line may be placed on the shop floor but the rest are stacked.

Storage space on the shop floor is expensive to a retailer.

The regular shapes of packaging allow more products to be stacked.

Advantages to the Customers

Customers can easily take the flat-pack product home themselves and do not have to wait for delivery.

Large pieces of furniture may be carried through narrow doors whilst in a flat-pack state.

Advantages to the Customers

Customers moving home may easily disassemble and transport their furniture.

Customers may choose from a range of surface tops, textures, colours and carcasses.

Companies may specialise in manufacturing individual, made to measure, flat-pack bedrooms, home offices and kitchens.