School Furniture Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Seating Furniture, Storage Units, Lab Furniture), By Application (Classroom, Library & Labs), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

School Furniture Market Size & Trends

The global school furniture market size was valued at USD 4.09 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2023 to 2030. The growing population, education reforms in several countries globally, the rising importance of ergonomic seating for students, and technological advancements to accommodate devices such as laptops, and tablets are factors propelling the market. According to the statistics published by National Center for Education Statistics (U.S.), the number of public schools in 2020-21 was 98,577 while the number of private schools in the same period was 30,492. Thus, the rise in the number of schools is expected to drive the demand for school furniture in the coming years.

COVID-19 had a significant effect on this market. With the shift to remote learning during the pandemic, there was an increased demand for furniture such as ergonomic chairs, desks, and tables to support students who were learning from home. This led to an increase in sales of these types of products. On the other hand, the pandemic led to a reduction in school budgets resulting in limited or delayed purchases of school supplies. Moreover, there had been disruptions in the domestic as well as international supply of components, services, raw materials, and other consumables used in the manufacturing of furniture.

With the global population continuing to rise, more schools are being built to accommodate the increasing number of students. According to the United Nations, the population of the globe is projected to rise by nearly 2 billion people over the next 30 years, reaching a potential peak of nearly 10.4 billion in the middle of the 2080s. The growing population will require the construction of more schools and educational facilities, leading to an increased demand for furniture to furnish these new facilities. This will drive the market for school furniture as more schools are built.

Government expenditures toward education have a significant impact on the market. When governments increase their spending on education, schools may have more funding available to invest in new furniture. This can lead to an increase in orders and sales for school furniture manufacturers. In FY23  the U.S. Department of Education for instance received funding of about USD 102.51 billion from Congress, called budgetary resources. The Joe Biden-led government also plans to offer high-quality education to all kids in the country. Such programs are expected to result in a rising number of students at schools making constructive addition to the market growth in the coming years.

In the school furniture industry, innovations have been ramping up the demand for furniture in schools. Steelcase , Inc. for instance, launched Edvi, a colorful and functional personal storage furniture. The final product is an unjointed structure that is held together by carefully designed fittings and jigs. Because of its cushion top, the storage container may also include a movable sitting arrangement. Innovative classroom furniture can offer fresh features and functionality that can improve kids' learning. For example, furniture that can be easily reconfigured to support different teaching methods can provide more flexibility and adaptability in the classroom, which can lead to improved learning outcomes.

There is a growing awareness of the importance of ergonomic and comfortable school furniture in promoting students' health and well-being. According  to a blog by Harvard Health Publishing, bad postures can cause neck pain, back problems, poor balance, headaches, and breathing difficulties. This has led to an increased demand for adjustable desks and chairs, as well as other furniture that promotes good posture and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Research conducted by the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria  in 2021 found that the performance of classroom tasks like writing, reading, and typing is affected by high levels of postural overload brought on by inadequate benches in classrooms; this results in pain, discomfort, and subsequently reduced attention.

Product Insights

In terms of product, seating furniture dominated the market with a share of over 53% in 2022 and is projected to register the highest CAGR.This position can be attributed to its mass requirement in every educational institution. Such products are essential for creating a comfortable and functional learning environment. Without adequate seating, students may be distracted or uncomfortable, which can affect their ability to learn. Schools typically require a large volume of seating furniture, such as chairs and desks, to furnish their classrooms. This high demand for seating furniture results in ever-growing market growth and makes it a dominant segment.

The storage units segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.7% in the forecast period. Several schools globally have been abstaining from full-height locker rows and instead switching to free-standing lockable cubbies and partial-height lockers to save space and bring a personalized approach to student storage. Moreover, with the increase in technology and educational resources, schools are collecting more materials that require storage. This includes textbooks, laptops, tablets, and other classroom supplies. As a result, schools require more storage units to organize and store these materials.

Application Insights

Classroom application dominated the markets in 2022 with a share of around 77% and is expected to rise at the fastest CAGR of 6.1%. Classroom furniture is in high demand due to the number of classrooms that need to be furnished in schools around the world. Each classroom requires a variety of furniture, including desks, chairs, whiteboards, and storage units, which contributes to a significant portion of the market. Collaborations, reconfiguration, and ergonomically designed furniture for classrooms are now receiving more attention as a result of rising innovations in the raw materials used to make classroom furniture.

Library & labs application is forecasted to register a CAGR of around 5.1% in the forecast period. There is a growing focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in schools. This has led to an increase in the number of labs and classrooms dedicated to these subjects, which will drive demand for specialized furniture designed for these areas. Libraries and labs are places where students can collaborate on projects and research. As a result, furniture that is designed to facilitate collaboration, such as group tables and workstations, is likely to be in high demand.

Regional Insights

The North America region dominated the market with a share of over 51% in 2022. The presence of leading furniture manufacturers in the U.S., such as Fleetwood Group; Scholar Craft; Bretford Manufacturing Inc.; Artco-Bell Corp.; VS America, Inc.; and Knoll, Inc. has catered to the constantly growing demand for school furniture. National Center for Education Statistics (U.S.) says that in the fall of 2021 , around 49.5 million students were enrolled in public schools from prekindergarten to grade 12. The high level of investment in education, a large number of schools, standardization of furniture, high disposable income, and growing focus on student comfort and well-being are all factors that have contributed to North America's dominance of the school furniture market.

Asia Pacific region is posed to register the fastest CAGR of about 6.9% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. There has been a growing culture of opting for private education in numerous developing countries, owing to the better quality of education and facilities as well as the focus on extracurricular activities. The demand for school furniture is anticipated to increase as a result of this trend, which is backed by rising disposable income and an increasing standard of living. The number of kindergartens nationwide increased by 1.07% to 294,800 in 2021, according to the Ministry of Education of China.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by the presence of numerous well-established players, along with several small and midsized players. Companies have been focusing on strategies such as product launches, expansions, mergers & acquisitions to compete in the market.

• For instance, in May 2022, Hertz Furniture acquired New Hampshire-based School Furnishings as part of a national growth strategy. This move will expand the presence of Hertz Furniture in New England and provide new products to the existing consumer base in the region.

• For instance, in March 2023, Smith System Mfg. Co launched Numbers Mobile Chair. It is a globe-trotting chair that is ergonomically designed for good posture. The chair’s shell has enough flex and the right angle to let kids turn, twist, and fidget to interact with other students in the classroom.

Some of the prominent players operating in the global school furniture market include: -

• Fleetwood Group

• Scholar Craft

• VS America, Inc.

• Smith System Mfg. Co

• Knoll, Inc.

• Haworth Inc.

• VITRA INTERNATIONAL AG.

• Virco

• Office Line

• MOBeduc

School Furniture Market Report Scope

Global School Furniture Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis on the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global school furniture market report based on product, application, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Storage Units

  • Seating Furniture

  • Lab Furniture

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Classroom

  • Library & Labs

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa