The Nigerian furniture and interior design industry is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences, with more clients embracing minimalist designs and increasingly relying on technology to visualize their spaces before implementation.
By Trade FM
Chief Executive Officer of Native Furniture, Mr Umeh Femi Ikechukwu, disclosed this during an interview on Trade FM, where he discussed creativity, business sustainability, changing consumer tastes and the future of Nigeria’s furniture and interior design industry.
Mr Umeh, who said he is in his fourth year of business, explained that his interest in design was strengthened by visiting aesthetically appealing hotels, restaurants, lounges and other spaces. According to him, observing completed projects over time helped him develop the confidence to pursue furniture and interior design professionally, after experimenting with other creative fields including music and fashion.
He advised Nigerians working with limited budgets to prioritize key areas of their homes rather than attempting to design every space at once. He identified the living room, kitchen, master bedroom and, where applicable, the guest room as areas that could receive priority because they are among the spaces visitors are most likely to see.
The furniture entrepreneur stressed that interior design goes beyond decorating a room, noting that the cost of a project depends largely on the quality of materials and products used.
On balancing creativity with clients’ preferences, Mr Umeh said designers must remember that they are working on the client’s space. He explained that clients are first encouraged to communicate their tastes and preferences, after which designers refine the ideas and present them through 3D visualization before implementation.
He also identified a growing preference for minimalist interiors among Nigerian consumers.
According to him, unlike the heavily decorated spaces that were previously popular, many Nigerians now prefer simpler designs with fewer furniture pieces and more open space, while still maintaining an appealing aesthetic.
Mr Umeh further noted that social media and technology have contributed positively to the development of creativity in the industry by exposing designers to ideas and trends from other creatives around the world.
He described platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest as important sources of inspiration, while stressing that designers should adapt ideas rather than copy existing works.
The CEO also explained that his role as the head of Native Furniture involves developing concepts and directing his design team rather than personally executing every aspect of the design process. He mentioned applications such as 3D Max and Revit as some of the technological tools available to professionals in the industry.
Speaking on what makes an ordinary piece of furniture or design exceptional, Mr Umeh said the quality of the final outcome depends largely on how the designer combines and positions individual elements within a space.
He explained that even an exceptional piece can appear ordinary if it is wrongly positioned, while a relatively simple piece can become outstanding when placed appropriately within a well-designed space.
However, he expressed concern over rising production costs, inflation and increasing customer expectations, saying these factors are putting pressure on businesses in the sector.
Mr Umeh revealed that although Native Furniture adjusts its prices in response to inflation, it cannot always pass the full increase in production costs to customers. He said this has resulted in shrinking profit margins as businesses attempt to remain competitive while continuing to serve existing clients.
He advised young Nigerians seeking to enter the creative and furniture industry to combine creativity with discipline, particularly financial discipline.
According to him, entrepreneurs must understand that money received from clients is entrusted to them for the execution of specific projects and should not be treated as personal disposable income.
He also emphasized the importance of showing up for work regardless of one’s mood, noting that clients expect professionalism and delivery irrespective of the personal challenges faced by a service provider.
Reflecting on his most significant project so far, Mr Umeh highlighted a four-bedroom penthouse project for a returning client. He said the relationship began with a smaller project, which he focused on delivering satisfactorily despite the challenges involved.
According to him, the client’s satisfaction eventually resulted in a much larger project, reinforcing his belief that quality service can generate repeat business and referrals.
Looking ahead, Mr Umeh said his ambition is to take Native Furniture beyond Nigeria.
He explained that the business is already receiving inquiries from people outside the country and said he believes the furniture-making aspect of the business has reached a level where it can compete beyond the local market. He added that the next major focus is to further develop and conquer the interior design space.
On the qualities required to succeed in the industry, Mr Umeh maintained that talent alone is insufficient.
He identified client relations, patience, effective communication and the ability to manage artisans as critical factors. He said designers must be able to coordinate different people involved in executing a project because poor workmanship can undermine even the most creative design.
He also spoke about the growing demand for greenery and plant-based décor, cautioning that while installing green spaces may initially appear affordable, the long-term maintenance requirements can make them expensive.
According to him, clients must consider issues such as watering, pest control and continuous maintenance before introducing significant greenery into their homes or commercial spaces.
In his final advice to Nigerians seeking to create spaces that reflect their personalities, Mr Umeh encouraged them to work with professional interior designers.
He described interior design as “subconscious emotional engineering,” explaining that professionals can take a client’s ideas and preferences, refine them and use 3D visualization to demonstrate how the final space could look before implementation.
Mr Umeh urged prospective clients to communicate their vision clearly to designers and allow professionals to transform those ideas into functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
He concluded that professional interior design is a service that requires expertise and, consequently, clients should be prepared to pay for the value provided.
