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34 DESIGN MAR/APR 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

PickPik economic, and practical elements that together contribute to the
transition from handmade to modular furniture in today’s times.
The initial excerpt that came across was the imbalance
between emotional significance and practical utility.
Handmade furniture often carries emotional memories,
tradition, customisation and craftsmanship. Numerous users

expressed a sentimental connection to heirloom pieces or
items created by local craftsmen.
On the contrary, modular furniture is perceived as practical,
economical, and well-suited for the fast-paced lifestyles. While
users appreciate the charm and individuality of handmade
durability (66%) and customisation (61%) are essential for creations, they frequently choose modular options for their
innovation. suitability for smaller living spaces.
Handmade furniture retains appeal for its quality, especially This suggests a generational change in values, where
among high-income groups, with many willing to pay more if practicality and fast life frequently takes over emotional bonds.

delivery and warranty conditions improve. It underscored the relationship between time, skill, and the
A generational shift is apparent. diminishing patience in modern consumer habits.
To examine the hypothesis, responses from the 157 Traditional artisans emphasised the uniqueness and time-
participants were grouped by age and preference category. consuming nature of each handmade product. Their stories
Cross-tabulation revealed a clear directional trend: consumers revealed a profound pride in their craft, with each item mirroring
aged 18–34 preferred modular furniture at substantially higher their identity and commitment.
rates than those aged 35 and above. They now however face challenges such as demand in

In both surveys combined, younger respondents consistently quick production, low cost, easy availability and prompt delivery.
ranked affordability, portability, and modern design as priority The conversations led to
factors, whereas older respondents emphasised durability and highlighting the disconnect that has been created due to
craftsmanship. their principles and market demand, which in turn leads to
This pattern, reinforced in both professional and consumer the concern of safeguarding traditional skills and knowledge.
datasets, supports rejection of the null hypothesis and confirms The furniture manufacturers were probed about the
that age is a significant predictor of modular preference. changing trend and their point of view about the artisans and
These results support the hypothesis that younger people mass production.
choose modular furniture mainly because it fits their lifestyle. Their take was that in furniture manufacturing, mass

production happens according to the design, layout and finishes
Interview which makes it easily available to the consumer.
An unstructured interview was conducted with users, traditional Though there are issues like durability, limited customisation,
artisan, carpenters, furniture retailers, modular furniture workers the ease of availability; good marketing and affordability has
to grasp an understanding of how the market has changed made modular furniture successful.
over the years. Also, modular systems allow consumers to experience a
The interview emphasised on the variety of cultural, emotional, sense of ownership and creativity within a standardised item.