Augmented reality furniture stores

With the rate at which e-commerce is emerging, the furniture industry needs to rely on AR technology to improve customer experience as it provides visuals that combine digital content with real-world views. Online stores in the furniture industry might not thrive well because of the limited view they provide. That is, your furniture store needs more than just images to help buyers understand how it would look in the real world.

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Due to the similar nature of furniture products, brands need to adopt AR that will make them stand out in the competitive industry. According to recent research, the global augmented reality market size is valued at USD 93.67 billion in 2024, and it is projected to expand to USD 1,869.40 billion in 2032 with an exhibition of 45.4% (CAGR) in the future.

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As a furniture business owner, a sure way of staying ahead of others in the game is to adapt to the usage of AR technology. With AR, you will be able to provide an experience that a physical showroom can't provide. These benefits will keep your audience around for a long time, as they will feel convenient to purchase without fear. In this blog post, you will get to know more about the integration of augmented reality in furniture stores.

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What is an augmented reality furniture store?

In past years, buying furniture online has become tougher. Buyers can’t get to see how furniture items will look in their homes before buying, which eventually leads to a substantial increase in the return rate. In a bid to solve these issues, augmented reality comes in. Augmented reality is a technology that allows the blend of digital products into the physical world. With the emergence of e-commerce, your customers don't have to experience boring online shopping because of AR features.

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AR provides a perspective that can help them check out every single detail of your furniture designs virtually before making purchases. This feature helps to create a fun and captivating experience for customers when they visit your online furniture stores. Besides, customers don't have to worry about getting the wrong product because they can create a real-life 3D model of the selected item. Then place them within their physical space using their smartphone camera through any app or website that offers augmented reality features.

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Additionally, AR creates an opportunity for your customers to view furniture from different dimensions. It also fuels their creativity as they can customize your furniture products to suit their unique preferences and give them the utmost satisfaction. Hence, your customers have the opportunity to introduce changes to the selected products before making a final decision.

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How augmented reality works for furniture stores

There are some processes involved in the integration of AR into online stores or by brands on their websites, though most brands or store owners resort to hiring an AR developer to get the job done. The steps below highlight the way AR works for furniture stores:

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3D model integration

The process involves the creation of high-quality 3D models of furniture products. This is the first step to integrate AR. 3D models are meant to be true to scale, showing accurate dimensions, textures, and colors. Many brands partner with 3D visualization companies to ensure their AR models are as realistic as possible. This is because the more realistic it is, the more it encourages your customer to purchase it. 

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Augmented reality apps or web-based ar

The next step involves integrating the 3D models into the AR apps or web-based platforms. This phase then allows customers access to AR tools. Some brands, like IKEA and Wayfair, have dedicated AR apps. Others integrate AR features directly into their websites. This integration then eliminates the need for your customers to visit a showroom, and it even makes furniture shopping more convenient.

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Real-time placement & interaction

For your customers to now access these AR tools, they would have to download the app or log on to the website and use a smartphone or tablet camera. This functionality then enables them to virtually place furniture in their living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. They can rotate, reposition, and even switch between different colors, materials, and styles to find the perfect match. This interactive feature reduces guesswork and increases interest-based choice. 

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AR will help your customers make informed purchases. Thus, it leads to fewer returns and higher satisfaction rates. A 2022 study by Shopify found that products featuring AR experiences saw a 94% higher conversion rate compared to those without AR. By placing real-world environments with digital innovation, AR makes it easier than ever for your customers to find the perfect piece for their space.

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Furniture stores that have augmented reality experiences 

Here, we will list the best-augmented reality furniture stores or retailers for your viewing. Let's move into it.

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1. IKEA

IKEA is a brand that embraces augmented reality (AR) for its website software and app (IKEA Place), which are designed to help customers visualize furniture in their homes before purchasing. IKEA is a Swedish home furnishings giant and one of the leading pioneers in augmented reality. It is also a major stakeholder in the global market, which was launched in 2017. 

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Moreover, IKEA’s app is available for Android and iOS devices which can be accessed using a smartphone or tablet. It has been effectively using this technology to make it easier to check how furniture fits in terms of size, color, and style. IKEA Place uses AR to enhance customer confidence and lower return rates. Besides, the app’s easy-to-use features make online furniture shopping more convenient. 

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2. Houzz

Houzz is a simple design platform that embraces AR to help users virtually view furniture products in their spaces before buying. It was founded in 2009 by Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen. Houzz launched its AR feature, “View in My Room 3D,” in 2017.

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This tool allows buyers to place realistic 3D models of furniture in their rooms through a smartphone or tablet. Houzz has helped customers to make informed choices, reducing the chances of mismatched purchases, and a major reason is the life-like previews.

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3. Target

Target introduced AR technology to advance the way customers shop for home furnishings. In 2017, the retail giant launched its AR-powered feature, "See It In Your Space," within its mobile app and website. This tool helps buyers to view furniture in their actual rooms before buying.

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Through this platform, they can click on the AR icon on their devices and then see how the item would look in their space. Target’s AR solution makes shopping more interactive and reduces guesswork and returns. This innovation helps furniture stores stay competitive. This innovation makes online purchases easier and more reliable for customers.

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4. Wayfair

At some point, the demand from shoppers became too much due to the growing influence of augmented reality in the furniture industry. Wayfair came up with a solution by introducing its AR feature. The intent is to give a better furniture shopping experience by allowing customers to see how items would look in their homes. It was launched in 2017 by the online retail company Wayfair.

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The AR tool enables users to place life-sized 3D models of furniture products within their space using a smartphone or tablet. Moreover, Wayfair’s AR innovation has brought convenience to online shopping. Not only this, but it has helped to increase productivity and made it more profitable for furniture stores. Additionally, this has made the process of home furnishing easier and more interactive for customers. 

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5. The Home Depot

In 2017, this brand had AR features available for any furniture business or brand to display products effectively. This allows customers to picture how products will appear in person before making a purchase.

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Moreover, customers can place lifelike 3D models of furniture in their homes either through the Home Depot mobile app or website. The goal is to ensure a better fit and style match. Furthermore, it helps to make shopping more interactive, convenient, and personalized for buyers.

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6. Ashley Furniture

Dating back to 1945, Ashley Furniture established itself as the largest furniture manufacturer. Over time, Ashley Furniture Industries LLC evolved into Ashley Furniture International. The main aim of Ashley Furniture International is to enable interested sellers to create a furniture store on their platform to sell Ashley-produced furniture products. In essence, Ashley Furniture International does not allow any third-party products. More importantly, for final customers, Ashley simplifies the decision-making process and enhances the online shopping experience.

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By integrating AR features in their mobile apps (the Ashley HomeStore App), they enable customers to place digital furniture models in their homes to assess fit, color, and style. The integration of AR technology has greatly helped customers. It helps to save customers from the stress of returning furniture purchased due to sizing or color factors. Customers can literally size the furniture they want to purchase from the comfort of their devices.

Key differences between the AR and VR furniture stores 

People often use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) interchangeably. It's crucial to understand that, despite their similarities in use, they have very different purposes and features. While AR is a mix of virtual and physical elements, VR is completely a digital experience. This implies that virtual reality (VR) artificially creates everything, even though real-time transactions occur within it. 

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A study by Snap Inc. and Deloitte Digital showed that 76% of consumers are expected to use augmented reality (AR) as a shopping tool in the next five years. This study also highlights the growing role of augmented reality (AR) in retail, particularly in furniture shopping. Furthermore, research from PwC shows that virtual reality adoption in retail is projected to contribute $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This demonstrates its profit potential.

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Real-world integration vs. full immersion

While AR allows your customers to place life-sized 3D furniture models in their actual homes using a smartphone or tablet, which helps shoppers assess size, color, and style in real-time, making it easier to choose the perfect piece, VR takes users from their physical environment to a fully immersive digital showroom where customers can explore furniture layouts as if they were inside a store.

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Accessibility and cost

AR is more accessible because it only requires a mobile device and an app, making it an effortless and cost-effective solution for you and your customers. AR has an expansive reach due to its accessibility and simplicity.

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VR, on the other hand, demands specialized headsets and advanced hardware, and this makes it costly as purchasing it in bulk is a larger investment, although VR enhances showroom experiences. Many smaller businesses have not adopted VR fully due to its cost; they are mostly integrating AR into their ecosystem as it is more cost-effective.

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Benefits of augmented reality for furniture stores

Just as Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said, “I think AR is profound. I think that AR, one day, will be as ubiquitous as three meals a day. It will become that much a part of you,” and the founder of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, also added, “Augmented reality is going to help us mix the digital and the physical in ways that will unlock a whole new set of experiences and economic opportunities.” When brands integrate AR into their websites and apps, the results show that it is profitable. Here are five key benefits of leveraging AR in a furniture store.

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Customer experience and confidence

One of the greatest challenges in furniture shopping is showing how a piece will look in a real space. The trouble and cost of getting to a showroom or even ensuring it fits your home or office space is also daunting. AR technology allows your customers to place true-to-scale 3D furniture models in their homes using a smartphone or tablet. Also, it helps them assess size, color, and design compatibility with their existing décor. This has solved a huge problem in the furniture industry.

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Return rates reduction

Sizing issues, style mismatches, or inaccurate expectations often cause furniture returns. AR, therefore, minimizes these issues by allowing your customers to make informed purchasing decisions themselves. When shoppers can visualize furniture accurately, they are less likely to experience buyer’s remorse. Reduction in return rates leads to cost savings for brands and retailers, as it reduces the need for logistics, restocking, and refund processes. 

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Online sales plus customer engagement

As Michael Valdsgaard, former leader of digital transformation at IKEA, said, "AR lets your customers make faster, more confident decisions because they can see and interact with products in their space. This leads to higher engagement and increased sales conversions." Traditional online shopping will limit your customer interaction with products, but AR now bridges this gap by making online furniture shopping more interactive and engaging. This hands-on digital experience encourages customers to spend more time exploring products. Studies indicate that AR-powered shopping experiences can lead to a 40% higher conversion rate compared to standard e-commerce methods.

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Brand Identity and customer attraction

In a competitive retail market, standing out is critical. Everyday, the introduction of newer technologies compels most brands to stay abreast of global standards. AR technology, being a major player, can give your furniture stores a cutting-edge advantage by offering a futuristic shopping experience. A store that provides an AR-powered shopping tool is more likely to attract tech-savvy and modern shoppers looking for convenience and innovation. 

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Cost-effective showroom solutions

Setting up a large physical showroom with multiple furniture pieces can be very costly and space-consuming; this even eliminates smaller shops from the competition. AR has created equal opportunities for all. Even without a physical store, brands can thrive in the market with AR integrations on their apps or websites.

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Websites that provide augmented reality for your furniture stores

1. Glamar.io

GlamAR is an innovative website that leverages augmented reality solutions to increase productivity and profitability for industries, including the furniture industry. As a furniture business, you can rely on GlamAR to provide your customers with AR immersive experiences. Our AR solutions include virtual try-ons and AR ads. To use the AR feature, which includes the virtual try-ons, your customers simply need to use their smartphone or tablet camera. Then, try to see if the chosen items will fit their space. The information will definitely help them make informed decisions. Furthermore, with our AR ads, customers can interact with the 3D model of any of your furniture products in a real-life environment.

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Besides, AR ads help to engage with your customers in various forms depending on your brand’s objectives. This includes AR product try-ons, AR portals, and AR interactive packaging, among others. These will help enable your customers to have personalized explorations with your products. In essence, the efficiency of AR in GlamAR will boost the confidence of your customers about your brand. We also provide VR and 3D solutions, which include virtual stores, virtual events, virtual spaces, 3D virtual photography, and 3D product configurators, among others. For more information, kindly visit our website: glamar.io.

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2. 3dcloud.com

As the leading 3D digital platform, it was reported that the majority of the brands that leverage on their service have a record of 4.5x increase in their cart conversion. 3D Cloud specializes in providing AR and 3D configuration tool solutions to retailers.

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Furniture websites and brands can leverage 3D Cloud’s infrastructure to deliver 3D configurator, WebAR, and 3D room planners for their customers. With the Web-based AR Solutions provided by 3D Clouds, there is an offering of customization for the catalog of your furniture products.

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3. Augment.com

Augment is a software platform that has employed over 50,000 monthly AR & 3D product views on major eCommerce platforms. Their AR viewer will give room to any customers to effortlessly view your furniture products on your own app supporting technologies like Apple ARKit and Google ARCore. Also, Augment AR viewer is available on their standalone app.

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Moreover, the AR viewer enables customers to access your products offline with any data connection or online synchronization. Lastly, their AR solutions enable your customers to create complex AR scenes with multiple products at once. In essence, Augment is a robust AR platform for retailers.

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Recent challenges of augmented reality for furniture stores 

Implementation cost

Depending on the type of AR technology, setting it up can be costly. A company might decide to use the web, which costs less but has its disadvantages. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, a company might decide that the appAR works best for them.

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Building an app from scratch would incur many expenses. Statistics indicate that an average AR app developer would collect a range of $30,000 to $60,000, and a start-up company might not be able to afford it.

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Technology and skills gaps

AR is a technology that requires a high level of expertise. When there's a large gap between what is required and what is gotten, it highlights the level of expertise. Companies might not get the required expertise to create the best experience for users.

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Companies might need to choose between employing experts and paying a colossal sum or investing in training their workforce so as to enjoy long-term benefits. Guidance needs to be provided for the application and maintenance of such technology.

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Perceptions of the technology

Some businesses may not see the need to adopt AR technology when it is a necessity. Your customer's perception of the technology is also a major hindrance. Customers may perceive the technology as deceptive, leading them to believe false information. Such customers could stop patronage.

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The adoption of the technology would, therefore make your company lose potential customers. It takes the testimonials of AR technology users to convince such customers about its effectiveness and the interactive experience it comes with.

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Lack of security and privacy

Users must enter confidential information to access the platform, which has no security measures. The AR technology does not provide data privacy, and user details might not be secured. There are no formal agreements between the government and business owners to address liability and copyright issues.

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Cross-device compatibility

For the AR technology to function effectively on a device, it needs to have the software installed on the device. It is also important to note which one works on Android and iOS, respectively. Similar to some apps, the AR app may not work on unsupported devices. It's best to look for a framework that can function across multiple devices.

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The future of augmented reality for future stores

AR contributes sustainably to the furniture industry. The future of AR holds promises not just for furniture manufacturers but also for you as a furniture retailer. The ways in which furniture stores can leverage the usefulness of AR are explored below:

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Enhanced product display 

AR enables customers to place the furniture store's products in their respective homes before purchase. This helps to ensure compatibility in terms of style and size. It also helps to retail your furniture products to provide a comprehensive catalog of the available furniture, which customers can view without any distance barriers. Just by going to a furniture store’s AppAR or WebAR, customers can access products. 

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Sales of personalised products 

In the sale of furniture, there are situations where a piece might take months or even years before the seller finds a buyer. In certain cases, the seller might never find a buyer. AR offers an effective solution to this problem. Through AR features, you can more easily identify the unique needs of each buyer. Thus, only custom-made and personalized furniture is sold by the seller, thereby preventing this risk from occurring.

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Reduced costs 

The adoption of AR would reduce costs for both buyers and sellers of furniture. Through AR, a customer can select the right furniture online and have it delivered without having to spend transport fare on the initial inspection since details of the furniture are available online. Additionally, by allowing your customers to choose their preferred furniture, you eliminate the transportation costs associated with returns.

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Excellent customer service 

With minimum effort, AR aids retail stores in providing excellent customer service. AR provides details of furniture. Hence, it helps your customers to see if the furniture fits into their personal space and provides details of the dimensions. All these enhance customer service.

Conclusion 

AR is an advantage for you in marketing your furniture products. It can either be built in-house in the form of an app or integrated directly into the retail store's website using ready-made AR solutions. AR has emerged in furniture stores to aid the purchase and sale of furniture. In-house AR can be built by AR professionals within the company or outsourced to a specialized agency.

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Alternatively, AR features could be integrated directly into the furniture store’s website, thereby saving time, energy, and cost. In order to promote user experience, AR features must be compatible with smartphones. Customers prefer AR-aided shopping. Therefore, your furniture stores must provide quality AR in the marketing and sales of your products.