Like industries all over the board, home furnishings, mattresses and home décor have been in short supply throughout 2020 and continuing into 2021, due to the effects of the pandemic, including shut-downs and global supply chain issues. However, there are other factors affecting furniture production, and options you can take to get the pieces you need sooner.

One of the biggest contributions to the low stocks of popular furniture and home décor items is simply demand. As people continue to spend more time at home, the desire for new furniture has skyrocketed. Home offices are being outfitted with new desks and office chairs, sofas and home theater seating are being upgraded to accommodate more evenings and entertaining spent inside the home, and people are investing in new mattresses as a form of self-care in just a few examples. Outside living spaces are also getting an upgrade with quality furniture that is aimed at making these spaces as comfortable and stylish as their indoor counterparts.

At the same time as the demand for all types of furnishings saw dramatic increases, the pandemic caused major delays—and temporary stops—on production of raw materials, as well as furniture production. Transportation and distribution has also suffered from well-documented delays. While strides have been made in keeping up with the increased demand in 2021, the furniture and mattress industry continues to suffer from low in-stock inventory and delays for custom-order items.

Foam Shortage Affects Furniture Supply

One of the factors continuing to result in a furniture and mattress shortage is the lack of available foam. Foam, a petroleum-based product that is used to produce soft, absorbent material, is a component in a wide range of products, including furniture and mattresses.

Foam is used in seat cushions to bring comfort to sectionals, sofas and loveseats, as well as accent chairs, recliners and other forms of seating. In fact, most furniture makers use foam cushions, with few exceptions. Combined with a wire support system, these furnishings provide the support and comfort we have come to expect.

Foam is found in mattresses to create memory foam mattresses as well as hybrid mattresses. These mattresses are preferred by many customers for their support and ability to conform to the body. Additionally, boxed bed options, which consist of compacted foam mattresses that are packaged and shipped directly to your door, offer convenience and value, growing in popularity in recent years.

Why Is There a Foam Shortage?

Foam is in limited supply for two main reasons. First, foam is in high demand! Not only is it required for the production of furniture cushions and mattresses, but it is also used by many other industries, such as automotive.

The other factor in the foam shortage is the lack of raw materials that are needed to manufacture foam. Most of these materials are sourced in the United States from suppliers in Texas and Louisiana. These states experienced atypically harsh freezing temperatures over the past winter, resulting in a much lower production of foam than normal.

With the deep freeze affecting raw materials combined with the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown during 2020, the foam industry has little available supply ready to meet the huge increase in demand.

How to Get Around Furniture Supply Shortages

The furniture industry continues to tackle supply chain issues, from raw materials to shipping container shortages. However, the reality continues to be that furniture and mattress deliveries are delayed compared to previous years.

To get your new furniture and mattresses sooner, you should first consider in-stock products. These options are housed in the warehouse and ready for you to pick-up or schedule delivery right away. If you desire a custom design option or choose a product that is available on order, know that you may need to be patient, and speak with a sales person about the expected arrival time for different items.