We spoke with Abdulselam Güleç, a Board Member of Ndesign, who has over 25 years of experience in furniture export and closely follows the dynamics of international trade, about the development and goals of the Turkish furniture sector. Güleç emphasized that Turkish furniture manufacturers aim to make Türkiye more competitive in the global furniture market by 2025 through strategies to enter new markets, sustainable production models, and designs that follow global trends.

The Turkish furniture sector, which stands out with designs that follow global trends, competitive prices, and a sustainable production approach, continues to grow in a wide geography from Europe to the USA, the Middle East to Asia. By participating in prestigious fairs, Turkish furniture manufacturers are increasing their international recognition and making solid progress on the global stage, thanks to their production power supported by local technology.

  • How did the Turkish furniture sector perform in 2024? What is your opinion on the first three months of 2025?

The year 2024 was a period of both challenges and opportunities for the Turkish furniture sector. Economic fluctuations, global political issues, rising inflation, and interest rates led to a shift in consumer spending habits, causing delays in large, long-term purchases like furniture and a reduction in construction and project activities. While it was considered a tough year, the progress made in export and production sectors painted an optimistic picture for the future. As the market begins to normalize, we expect the pent-up demand to be unleashed. We anticipate that the sector will experience growth with the normalization of the domestic market and increased exports. In the first half of 2025, we hope that furniture fairs held both domestically and internationally will attract the attention of buyers interested in the sector’s innovations and trends, thus stimulating the market. As part of a corporate strategy, Ndesign has been participating in prestigious international fairs in Italy, the US, and China for many years to strengthen its presence in the global market and enhance its international recognition. In 2025, the company will participate in the CIFF Guangzhou in March and the Salone del Mobile.Milano Fair in April, meeting with leading industry firms and showcasing its innovative designs to a global clientele.

  • What are the top 5 export markets for the Turkish furniture sector? Which new countries do you think could be added to these markets for 2025?

In 2024, when examining Türkiye’s furniture exports, the countries with the highest export volumes were Iraq, Germany, the USA, France, and Romania, in that order. The evaluation of these countries are as follows;

Iraq’s proximity to Türkiye, its logistical advantages, the attractive price-performance ratio of Turkish furniture, and the insufficient local production in Iraq make it one of Türkiye’s largest trade partners. Germany and France are undoubtedly the largest furniture consumption markets in Europe. The high costs of local manufacturers and the competitive prices of quality products offered by Türkiye make imports attractive. Looking at the USA, it is one of the largest furniture importers in the world. In recent years, additional tariffs imposed on China have led US importers to seek alternatives, and Türkiye has become an important supplier in this regard. Romania, both as an EU member and due to its long-standing commercial relations with Türkiye, is an important market. With the construction sector being active in Romania, the demand for furniture is also high. In 2025, for Türkiye’s furniture sector to establish a stronger presence in the international arena, strategies for expanding into new markets must be accelerated. Thanks to emerging technologies and innovative designs, promoting the quality and originality of Turkish furniture worldwide should be one of our primary goals. By focusing on rapidly growing markets, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and offering sustainable products that meet consumer demands, the goal should be to increase the competitiveness of local producers through export-focused policies and further strengthen the sector globally. In this way, Türkiye will continue its efforts to brand itself in the furniture sector and achieve a respected position in the world market.

“The Turkish furniture sector faces many important global players in the international market”
  • Which countries are the most important competitors of the Turkish furniture sector?

The Turkish furniture sector faces many important global players in the international market. Each competing country has different advantageous features that affect the market share of the Turkish furniture sector in terms of quality, design, price competition, location, and production capacity. A few examples of these are as follows: Italy, with its high standards in aesthetics, quality, and craftsmanship, is particularly in competition with Turkish brands that produce in the luxury segment. China, with its competitive prices and ability to produce in large volumes, offers different quality levels and a wide product range, making it a strong competitor not only to Turkish furniture but also to many countries worldwide. Poland, with its geographical location and growing potential in recent years, competes with Turkish products in the EU and Middle Eastern markets due to its ability to produce at low costs. Germany stands out as an important actor in the furniture sector with its economic size and quality-oriented production approach, while Spain, with its modern and stylish designs, also targets similar markets to Turkish furniture, posing significant competition for Türkiye.

“The Turkish furniture sector offers a wide range of products to consumers from different cultures”
  • What design and style features do you think the Turkish furniture sector stands out with on the international stage?

The Turkish furniture sector, with its deep and rich history, boasts a broad design capability, ranging from Ottoman motifs to modern minimalist lines. It is a dynamic industry that follows global trends and offers innovative designs. Patterns inspired by the Ottoman and Seljuk periods blend with contemporary lines to create a unique and aesthetic style, standing out on the international stage for successfully merging modern and classic designs. The blending of valuable marble, various wood types, glass, and metal arts, provided by the rich lands of Türkiye, allows for the creation of unique and timeless designs both aesthetically and functionally. Furthermore, in recent years, modular and multi-functional furniture, designed to save space and fit urban living, has gained significant interest in European and Asian markets by prioritizing functionality. Minimalist and simple designs are also on the rise, with soft transitions, pastel tones, and elegant details, creating products that rival Scandinavian and Japanese design approaches. All these elements make the Turkish furniture sector competitive and unique in both aesthetics and functionality, offering a wide product range that appeals to consumers from different cultures.

“We will take solid steps for a greener future”
  • Sustainability has become part of global trends. Considering the steps taken in eco-friendly production in 2024, what kind of roadmap do you plan to create for this area in 2025?

2024 was a year in which significant steps were taken in eco-friendly production and sustainability. This year, many companies in the sector focused on developing innovative solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, recycling, and waste management. The roadmap we have planned for 2025 will focus on reinforcing this progress and taking strong steps towards a greener future. Our roadmap aims to make eco-friendly production not just a trend but to place sustainability at the core of our business. These developments will not only contribute to the environment but also enhance our competitive strength in the sector, in line with the growing demands of consumers.

“A significant part of our production processes is carried out using local machinery”
  • How do you evaluate Turkish woodworking machines? What portion of your production is provided by domestic machines?

Turkish woodworking machines have gained an important place in the industry with high quality and efficiency, offering innovative solutions. These machines particularly allow local manufacturers to make their production processes faster and more efficient. As a company, our search for the best machines and materials to enable the highest quality production is an ongoing process. While we use the most professional machine systems in the world, we also provide a significant portion of our production with domestic machines because local production offers advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and quickly responding to the needs of the local market. We also believe that in the future, there is a great potential for Turkish woodworking machines worldwide.

“Furniture made from recyclable materials will be increasingly preferred by environmentally conscious
consumers”
  • What will be the trends in the furniture market in 2025?

In 2025, sustainability will be at the forefront of the furniture market; there will be an increased demand for products made from recycled and natural materials. Minimalist designs and organic forms inspired by nature will be favored, while at the same time, vibrant colors and patterns will attract the interest of young consumers. In particular, furniture made from entirely natural fibers or recycled materials will be increasingly preferred by environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, eco-friendly production methods and ethical labor practices will strengthen brands’ images, enhancing customer loyalty. Sustainability will not only be limited to material selection but also include energy efficiency and waste management in production processes. With the rise of home offices, ergonomic workspaces will be designed. Furthermore, furniture compatible with smart home systems will integrate with technology. Modular furniture will become more popular due to its space-saving and flexible design. In this regard, furniture manufacturers will develop more sustainable and creative solutions in both functionality and aesthetics. As a result, in 2025, sustainability, flexibility, and integration with technology will be the main trends in the furniture market. These trends will shape innovations in furniture design and the evolution of consumer shopping behaviors.