Originally published in the September 2012 issue of Home Accents Today

Style trumps everything else, according to consumers. In fact, 93% choose home furnishings based on a product's style and design. That's one of the key findings from Home Accents Today and New York-based Apartment Therapy's exclusive 2012 survey. The product's comfort and structural materials are also important, chosen as key characteristics by another 84% and 78% of respondents respectively. Tough economic conditions are a reality for a full 86% of consumers as they choose new furniture based on price. A similar percentage of respondents, 88%, claim that lack of money stops them from buying new home furnishings.

Per the data, once a buyer finds something they like, 85% shop around for the best price, while 15% go ahead and buy it, regardless of price. Furthermore, 54% only shop for furniture when they need something. This exclusive report also highlights the rooms in the need of the most updating; what consumers plan to buy and do to update the rooms; where consumers regularly shop for home furnishings; the desired features of a furniture store and a furniture website; what consumers want most for their home this year; and mobile/smartphone behavior. Home Accents Today partnered with New York-based Apartment Therapy to conduct two consumer surveys. The online surveys posted on Apartment Therapy's site in January and May and collectively garnered responses from more than 1,600 consumers.

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