Preparing for Newlyweds with Smart Furniture... Increased Costs for Furniture and Kitchenware Dowries

Furniture and kitchenware are the second highest newlywed expenses after housing
Preference for reasonable prices and sustainable household items

Koala, Soulmate Mattress.
[Photo by Koala Korea]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Consumption of home furnishing products in the wedding market is on the rise. Young newlyweds, who have to manage their weddings within a limited budget, are investing in products that enhance everyday convenience rather than spending a lot on weddings or honeymoons.

According to the ‘2022 Wedding Cost Report’ conducted by the matchmaking company Duo targeting newlyweds married within the last two years, the average wedding cost for newlyweds was 287.39 million KRW, of which 14.71 million KRW was spent on household goods and kitchenware. This is the second largest expense after housing, representing a 12.3% increase from 13.09 million KRW in 2020.

The furniture industry is responding to this wedding trend by offering efficient products that add comfort and ease to daily life at reasonable prices.

Among wedding furniture, the biggest expenditure is on bed mattresses. Instead of buying standardized products, new and trendy overseas brands that target the young generation’s preference for uniqueness are gaining popularity in the domestic market.

Koala, which entered the domestic market in July last year, is an Australian home furniture brand that minimizes intermediate distribution stages to provide high-quality foam mattresses at reasonable prices, boasting excellent practicality. The results of ongoing research for comfortable and satisfying sleep have been applied to the foam mattress, offering a soft yet supportive feel that compensates for the shortcomings of other mattress materials and provides support tailored to different body parts.

In particular, the premium model 'Koala Soulmate Mattress' features a foam spring layer designed in a spring shape that stably supports each part of the body such as shoulders, waist, and hips, and quickly responds to tossing and turning to help users enjoy comfortable rest. Additionally, the high-density foam, which has passed radon safety verification and CertiPUR-US® certification, boasts excellent durability that maintains the mattress shape over a long period, allowing for extended use. The mattress includes a top topper fixed and detachable by zipper, with different firmness on each side, enabling couples to choose the optimal comfort according to their back health or sleeping habits, experiencing ideal softness.

The mattress applies Zero Disturbance technology that effectively absorbs shocks so that couples sharing a bed can sleep soundly despite each other’s movements. It also uses a bamboo charcoal layer that promotes airflow and removes heat and odors, and a cover made of advanced fiber Sensapole® material that maintains an appropriate temperature, allowing for comfortable sleep without overheating even when sleeping together, making it perfect for couples with different body temperatures.

IKEA Solhetta LED Bulb. [Photo by IKEA Korea]

Global home furnishing company IKEA is striving to inspire and provide solutions for healthy and sustainable living to more people under its 'People & Planet Positive' strategy. Home furnishing products that help save resources without significant cost or effort are representative examples.

IKEA uses LED bulbs, which are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, across its entire lighting product line, contributing to energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The recently released 'SOLHETTA LED bulb' is 35% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs and lasts 20 years longer, reducing environmental impact.

Valuing water resources, IKEA continues to develop products for water conservation. All of IKEA’s water fixtures, including the VIMMERN kitchen shower faucet and BROGRUND hand shower, are equipped with flow regulators that reduce water usage while maintaining water pressure. Replacing old bathroom faucets or showers with IKEA products can save up to 30% of water and energy.

A furniture industry official said, "During the past two years, when people spent more time indoors, consumers realized the importance of comfortable indoor living, and wedding trends have shifted toward products that add leisure and comfort to daily life," adding, "The furniture industry is also releasing products that align with these trends one after another."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.