You and your interior designer have just chosen the stunning custom furniture that will fill your new space. All that’s left now is to wait patiently for its arrival so your dreams can come to life. But how long should it take for this furniture to be delivered? And what happens when you receive a notification that your furniture is going to be delayed?
Read on to learn more about how long it takes for furniture to get delivered and why it’s been taking a bit longer to receive your custom furniture lately.
How Long Does It Take to Get Furniture Delivered?
You may be wondering to yourself, “Why does furniture take so long to deliver?”. We understand how stressful it can be waiting on your beautiful custom furniture to arrive. You just want your new space to come together, and that comfortable couch on backorder is calling your name.
So, how long does it take to get furniture delivered? This truly depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
- The store you ordered from
- The type of furniture ordered
- The level of customization
- The current store inventory
From some, you may receive your furniture within the week. For others, it may take a few weeks to deliver. With an interior designer like Alisha Taylor, you’ll have a much clearer estimate of delivery times. Her expertise and relationships in the design industry have given her insight into typical delivery times for a variety of custom furniture manufacturers.
You may have recently learned, however, that your custom furniture is arriving much later than the initial estimate. There’s a reason for that — the furniture shortage of 2021. Keep reading to learn more about this shortage and why it’s impacting delivery times of your furniture.
Furniture Shortage 2021
Many have seen a significant increase in furniture delivery times in 2021. While originally you may have seen delivery times of days to weeks, many homeowners have suddenly received notifications that their custom furniture will arrive in a few months.
While this can be beyond frustrating after all the time you’ve invested into creating your dream home, there’s a reason (or two) behind this delay.
To start, there are normal furniture delays that can occur, even when a shortage isn’t happening. These can be due to the level of custom designs you requested for your furniture or a single delayed shipment that pushed your furniture delivery back. However, there are much larger factors at play that contribute to the furniture shortage of 2021.
Some furniture deliveries are still trying to catch up from the unexpected Suez Canal blockage that happened at the beginning of the year. This blockage caused a major backup in deliveries for furniture manufacturers and stores around the world. Unfortunately, some of those stores are still trying to catch up.
And, of course, COVID-19 is a major source of the 2021 furniture shortage. Many manufacturers shut down production during the high points of the pandemic to avoid a massive outbreak. However, these shutdowns have caused an exponential delay in furniture delivery. With the ongoing spread, many of these companies are still struggling to safely return to in-person work and fulfill orders.
Additionally, supply chains are having a hard time meeting demands overall. During the pandemic, online shopping caused a huge uptick in orders — including furniture. Some homeowners used the time inside to reimagine their spaces, leading to an increase in furniture orders with no manufacturers to meet those demands.
Unfortunately, the combination of these factors may mean that the gorgeous wood kitchen table you just ordered may not make it in time for the holidays. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can navigate these delays with the help of Alisha Taylor.
How to Navigate Delays
Interior designers have the expertise needed to carefully navigate these furniture delays. Over the years, Alisha Taylor has developed strategies to help her clients accelerate the furniture delivery timeline.
Utilize Vendor Connections
When it comes to receiving the furniture of your dreams, having the right connections is essential. Alisha Taylor knows just what vendors to contact to find the perfect pieces for your home and may have the opportunity to receive them at an expedited time. These vendors will also be able to provide a more accurate estimate of delivery time before you even place an order so you can better understand what the finalized interior design timeline will be.
Check In Regularly
Once you have these connections, utilize them! Our team checks in regularly with furniture vendors to see where your order is and how the timeline may have changed. Vendors are often more willing to be transparent with interior designers they have a strong working relationship with. You’ll gain a much clearer picture of when your home will finally be finished by communicating regularly.
Find Smaller Venders
Unfortunately, major vendors are often hit the most by furniture delays. Since they tend to receive larger quantities of orders, they may fall behind faster than a smaller vendor. They likely will also be waiting a bit longer on deliveries as they may order some furniture in bulk. Working with smaller vendors can speed up your furniture delivery timeline and may even give you access to higher-level customization options.
Have a Back-Up Plan
If all else fails, having a back-up plan never hurts! This may mean investing in a readily-available office desk until your luxurious custom one arrives. It may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but it will allow you to use your space until your order arrives. Work with us to determine the best course of action should you receive a delivery notification that your furniture won’t arrive until well into the new year.
Design Stunning Furniture with Alisha Taylor
A furniture delay shouldn’t stop you from achieving the home of your dreams! With Alisha Taylor on your side, you can still design the furniture you need for your space. Her expert knowledge of the industry can help you overcome some of these delays and receive your breathtaking finishing pieces a little sooner.
Contact Alisha Taylor Interiors today to learn more about custom designing your furniture and how you can get started today!
