How can Furniture as a Service reshape the European furniture sector?

The new FurnSERVICE report, “Furniture as a Service and Assetization in the European Furniture Sector: Skills, Circular Value Chains and Enterprise-Level Recommendations”, explores how service-based and circular business models are changing the way furniture companies create, preserve and recover value over time.

Furniture as a Service goes beyond the traditional design–produce–sell model. Maintenance, repair, refurbishment, reuse, take-back and recovery can become an integral part of the value proposition, allowing furniture to be managed as a long-term asset rather than as a product whose economic value ends with the first sale.

One of the report’s key findings is that this transformation does not necessarily require entirely new professions. Instead, it mainly changes existing roles and competences. Designers, production teams, logistics specialists, procurement professionals, technicians, sales staff and managers increasingly need to combine traditional sector expertise with lifecycle thinking, digital skills, sustainability competences and a stronger service orientation.

The report identifies five dimensions of company readiness for Furniture as a Service: Products, Processes, People, Digitalisation and Ecosystem. Together, they provide a framework for understanding whether companies are prepared to manage products across multiple lifecycles, from design and production to maintenance, refurbishment, reverse logistics and end-of-life recovery.

Digital traceability is another key enabler. Technologies such as Digital Product Passports, QR codes, RFID and lifecycle management platforms can help companies monitor product history, maintenance, components and residual value, while supporting more effective circular strategies.

For European furniture SMEs, however, the transition is unlikely to happen entirely in-house. Collaboration with logistics operators, refurbishment specialists, technology providers, recyclers, certification bodies and training organisations will be essential to access complementary capabilities and build effective circular value chains.

The report therefore recommends a gradual approach: improving durability and modularity, introducing maintenance and refurbishment services, strengthening digital traceability, investing in upskilling and reskilling, and developing strategic partnerships across the furniture ecosystem.

The main message is clear: the future of Furniture as a Service will depend on the ability to combine manufacturing expertise, new digital and green competences, organisational readiness and ecosystem collaboration.

The full report is now available as part of the FurnSERVICE project.