How to Make Sense of Delays in the Interior Design Industry
It’s no secret that the interior design industry (along with many other industries such as computers, machinery, appliances, etc.) has been rocked by the biggest supply chain upheaval of our time - perhaps in history.
The reality is that we are likely going to face these global challenges for years to come so it’s important to understand the causes (beyond the pandemic) and set realistic expectations for your clients so that you can wrap up projects on a high note.
WHAT’S BEHIND THE DELAYS?
There are many reasons behind the supply chain disruption, mostly Covid related, but not always. Let’s take a closer look.
#1 - Foam Shortage - The foam used for upholstery is currently being rationed due to the supply disruption. In late February this year, the major freeze that occurred in the Gulf Coast caused pipes to freeze that provided the chemicals required for flexible foam production. According to this article from Everchem, “Because foam is light and bulky, it is not efficient to ship very far to the various end-users such as furniture manufacturers, bedding, seating, and other customers. Consequently, the many foam plants are located close to the end-use markets and are spread around North America.”
#2 Textile Production Slowed - Many of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic are also regions that produce a significant amount of the textiles used in interiors including Asian countries Turkey, and India.
#3 Shipping Container Gridlock - When factories came to a screeching halt, the flow of shipping containers did too. Containers that arrived in the Americas couldn’t be re-loaded and sent back to Asia. So containers began to pile up. Ports are overwhelmed and can’t keep up with the demand for manufactured goods. Manufacturers are having to wait weeks, if not months, for containers to ship their goods. In March of 2021, a 20,000 cargo ship became lodged in the Suez Canal, making matters worse
#4 Skilled Labor Shortage - In furniture manufacturing, there are specific techniques employed that can take years to master - such as upholstery techniques, sewing skills, pattern making, or spring tying. Furniture manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand for products when employees must quarantine or lose childcare.
#5 Wood Shortage - Lumber mills cut back production not anticipating the surge in demand that would come. Now, in a race to catch up on lumber production prices have soared. It is anticipated that prices will level off, but not likely to pre-pandemic levels.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
How long we experience these delays is anyone’s guess. It’s likely we will continue to see the effects for years.
Encourage your clients to not make compromises on quality or getting what they really want, just to save a few week’s time. In the grand scheme of things, we should be sourcing products that our clients will love for decades or even a lifetime. A few extra weeks, for quality pieces your client will cherish, are surely worth the wait.
It’s worth having an honest conversation with your clients to set their expectations. Here are 3 talking points to get you started:
Have Perspective - We are all in this together. We are a globally interconnected web of people, products, and services. What are the things that really matter in the grand scheme of things?
Recognize Privilege - It is a tremendous privilege to be able to enjoy beautiful homes with nice things. When we recognize our privilege to work with an interior designer - and to be an interior designer - the experience will be delightful - not dreadful.
Extend Grace - The skilled workers, the port workers, the truckers, the textile weavers, the millworkers - are all the people (often women) who contribute to making our homes more beautiful. Many of these people are still living in communities ravaged by this pandemic and struggling to work and find childcare. Extending a little grace will help us all keep our heads on a little straighter.
As a working designer myself, this is not to say that the delays aren’t challenging. They most certainly are. But If you don’t laugh then you’ll cry. So just keep doing your job. Help your clients recognize you are there to sort things out and eventually the job will get done. I promise.
