Talk of
tariffs
is driving customers directly towards the shelves in an effort to avoid the additional charges before they fully come into play. As a reminder, back in April, President Trump utilized his
International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977
the power to enforce a 10 percent tariff on every country. As a result, all items coming into the U.S.—ranging from vehicles and technology products to apparel and household commodities—will be subject to additional taxation, with consumers often bearing the primary impact.
“The tariffs will surely increase expenses within our sector,” he states.
DuVäl Reynolds
, who owns and leads as the main designer
DuVäl Design
What many customers aren’t aware of is that a substantial part of the components for various products comes from international sources. Despite purchasing goods made in America, often the bigger parts are cut and put together domestically,
upholstery
It may also be used locally—with many internal parts like hardware, screws, hinges, slides, or even foam frequently being sourced from international sources.”
Reynolds states that it’s nearly impossible to escape the impact of the tariffs during home decoration or renovation projects. He further explains, “Securing these materials will require absorbing the tariffs, costs that will ultimately be transferred to the final buyer.”
This suggests that we might not feel the full impact of this economic change just yet. Tariffs frequently serve as tools for political negotiations, which is precisely their role in this situation. President Trump first imposed extra tariffs of 46% on Vietnamese products, 49% on those from Cambodia, and a substantial 145% on Chinese imports. However, he later decided to pause or reduce these rates to facilitate further discussions.
trade negotiations
In summary, the tariffs are still somewhat uncertain. Until they stabilize, Reynolds and other design experts recommend placing orders to achieve your home decor objectives.
“If you’re considering a renovation, this could be an opportune moment to enhance elements such as lighting, plumbing fixtures, hardware, and appliances,” suggests
Lisa & Leroy
The company’s Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director
Lisa Shaffer
Despite being manufactured in the U.S., numerous parts of your lighting fixtures come from international sources, which exposes them to potential tariffs and shipping hold-ups. Purchasing immediately increases your chances of obtaining your desired items at present price points since these product lines generally have ample stock.
With that in mind, keep reading to explore four home categories worth shopping before tariffs become cemented.
Furniture and Upholstered Pieces
Fantasizing about getting a new sofa, love seat, or sectional.
oversize reading chair
Reynolds believes that now is the best time to make your purchase. He advises beginning with bigger furniture and upholstery items when planning your buys. “These products frequently get sent out for production due to high demand,” he elaborates, “since our domestic manufacturing capabilities can’t match the pace required within the U.S. Consequently, expect higher prices in this sector and difficulties finding local sources.”
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Lighting
While arranging household items buys during tariff discussions,
Little Gem Resorts’
lead designer Michael Kramer, from
Michael Thomas & Co.
suggests focusing on what will have the most significant effect on your living space. (Even though prices may be going up, you shouldn’t buy things unnecessarily.)
“If you can’t wait out the tariff war, then buy lighting. That, for sure, would be the biggest change in a room,” he reveals.
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Countertops, Flooring, and Cabinetry
Tariffs will impact virtually everything—especially if you’re building or remodeling. Because of this, Reynolds says to consider the scale of your home project and purchases. If you’re planning a partial or full-scale renovation, now’s a good time to stock up on supplies.
Supplies needed for home improvements such as tiles, floorings, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures may also face disruptions,” he discloses. “Despite being manufactured locally, numerous items depend on imported specialized wood, metal, or other components for their assembly, which makes them susceptible to cost increases.
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Appliances and Electronics
If you’ve been delaying buying a new refrigerator or fantasizing about enhancing your laundry space, now is the time to act. ” Appliances and electronic devices are also worth looking into,” advises Reynolds. “A lot of well-known and favored brands operate globally, so their prices may increase because of tariffs.”
Shaffer concurs, pointing out that appliances are vulnerable not just to rising prices but also to supply shortages. “In particular, appliances experienced significant delays during the pandemic, and since manufacturers are processing smaller bulk orders, availability might once again be problematic. Therefore, it’s advisable to start shopping earlier,” she advises.
How Tariffs Affect the Home Decor Industry
Despite numerous tariffs being temporarily halted, just talking about their potential implementation has already affected the markets.
” numerous businesses are delaying new purchases and attempting to exhaust their present stock, potentially leading to shortages of goods and boosting demand, which in turn pushes prices higher,” Kramer clarifies.
Moreover, Kramer notes that stores have limits to how much they can offset tariffs before passing them along. He mentions that prices for household items might increase twofold as a result of these tariffs. “Inevitably,” he concedes, “retailers will shift the burden to consumers.” He shares his experience saying, “This has happened frequently with various shipments; neither side benefited from it, ultimately leaving customers to bear the cost.”
How to Avoid the Tariffs
Purchasing items now can help evade the dramatically increased costs of home essentials in the future (despite certain brands having already boosted their prices beforehand). An alternative approach is to buy used products instead.
I believe we’re somewhat delayed in purchasing items before the tariffs go into effect, so I think.
purchasing secondhand or vintage pieces
“Would be an excellent approach to tackle this issue,” Kramer proposes. “Focusing on items that are already within the country, have a short lead time, and perhaps only require cleaning or new upholstery. Websites such as
Chairish
,
1stDibs
, and
eBay
work well for this idea.”
