The Philippine furniture market is growing steadily, reaching US$780 million in 2023. It’s expected to grow at 2.83% each year until 2029. Furthermore, the export value of Philippine furniture is anticipated to reach US$3 billion by 2033, demonstrating strong international demand for Filipino-made furniture.
| Part I: How Furniture Stores Are Shaping the Philippine Real Estate Landscape |
The Philippine furniture industry is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years. According to CRI, the market is expected to reach US$1.7 billion by 2033, growing at an impressive annual rate of 8.2%. Furthermore, the export value of Philippine furniture is anticipated to reach US$3 billion by 2033, demonstrating strong international demand for Filipino-made furniture.
B. Local Luxury Brands
Here’s a list of prominent Filipino luxury furniture brands that bring a global design aesthetic while showcasing Filipino craftsmanship. Each brand offers unique, high-end pieces that blend Scandinavian, minimalist, and contemporary influences, making them popular choices among urban Filipinos seeking elegance, quality, and functionality.
1. Kenneth Cobonpue
Kenneth Cobonpue is one of the Philippines’ most celebrated furniture designers, known for his innovative use of natural materials and unique, globally recognized aesthetic. His designs at The Residences at Greenbelt in Legaspi Village often incorporate organic shapes and textures, blending minimalist and modern elements with traditional Filipino craftsmanship. Cobonpue’s pieces are highly sought-after and serve as statement pieces in upscale interiors.
- Signature Designs: The iconic Yoda Chair and Bloom Chair, showcase an artful combination of rattan, buri, and abaca.
- Design Aesthetic: Modern, nature-inspired, with a focus on Filipino craftsmanship.
- Key Features: Sculptural designs, organic materials, luxury craftsmanship.
2. Philux
Philux is a family-owned Filipino brand of luxurious, locally crafted furniture that has been around since 1980. With various showrooms in the metro, including one at PowerPlant Mall in Rockwell Makati, Philux is known for blending contemporary and Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics with traditional Filipino techniques, Philux embodies understated elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. The brand offers a variety of living, dining, and bedroom furniture, with customization options for fabrics, finishes, and more.
- Signature Collections: The Philo and Bedford series highlight minimalist designs with subtle Filipino touches.
- Design Aesthetic: Scandinavian-inspired, timeless, versatile.
- Key Features: Customizable pieces, sustainable materials, refined craftsmanship.
3. Casa Bella Home and Living
Situated along Jupiter Street in Bel Air Makati, Casa Bella Home and Living brings European and contemporary aesthetics to Filipino homes with a curated selection of furniture from premium international brands. Known for its minimalist, sophisticated designs, Casa Bella offers pieces from high-end European brands like Kettal and Moroso, blending Italian craftsmanship with modern, minimalist styling. Although it sources many items from international partners, Casa Bella has become popular for urban Filipinos seeking sleek, high-end furniture with a European influence.
- Signature Brands: Kettal for outdoor furniture and Moroso for contemporary sofas and seating.
- Design Aesthetic: Contemporary European, minimalist, and functional.
- Key Features: Premium materials, durable craftsmanship, refined European style.
4. Genteel Home
Based in the commercial district of Angeles City, Pampanga, Genteel Home is known for bespoke furniture that combines contemporary design with Filipino artistry. Each piece is handcrafted with a focus on detail, resulting in elegant yet functional furniture that fits a modern, urban lifestyle. Genteel Home emphasizes using sustainably sourced local wood and materials, making it a favorite among eco-conscious buyers.
- Signature Pieces: The Arcadia and Bahay Kubo collections, are known for their unique blend of modern lines with Filipino-inspired details.
- Design Aesthetic: Modern with traditional Filipino influences, minimalist, eco-friendly.
- Key Features: Handcrafted luxury, sustainable materials, personalized designs.
5. Vito Selma / Casa Selma
Cebu-based designer Vito Selma has gained global attention for his sculptural, nature-inspired furniture crafted with a minimalist sensibility. Using local materials like rattan and sustainably sourced hardwood, Casa Selma, their design studio in Mandaue Cebu creates furniture pieces that are both functional and artful. Vito Selma’s work appeals to those who appreciate a seamless integration of nature and luxury in their home decor.
- Signature Designs: The Geo and Pinha collections feature intricately woven rattan and wood structures.
- Design Aesthetic: Sculptural, minimalist, organic.
- Key Features: Nature-inspired designs, sustainable materials, artistic craftsmanship.
6. Industria Edition
Industria Edition brings a bold, modern touch to Filipino-made furniture with industrial and minimalist-inspired designs. Known for its use of metal, the brand crafts innovative, functional furniture pieces with clean lines and modern flair. Industria Edition gallery at The Residences Greenbelt appeals to urban Filipinos seeking a raw, industrial aesthetic that still feels upscale and elegant.
- Signature Pieces: The Equilibrium and Yorick collections include minimalist metal furniture pieces with contemporary shapes.
- Design Aesthetic: Industrial-chic, minimalist, modern.
- Key Features: Strong metal construction, sleek modern design, industrial craftsmanship.
7. E. Murio
E. Murio is a boutique furniture brand along Merville Access Rd in Parañaque City that offers handcrafted, luxurious furniture pieces with a mix of Scandinavian, contemporary, and Filipino design influences. Known for its minimalist and refined pieces, E. Murio uses natural materials like rattan, abaca, and bamboo to create functional, aesthetically pleasing furniture that fits a modern lifestyle. Each item is a product of meticulous handcrafting, combining high-end design with the warmth of natural materials.
- Signature Pieces: Custom-made tables, chairs, and shelves with elegant, clean lines and natural finishes.
- Design Aesthetic: Scandinavian-inspired minimalism with natural materials.
- Key Features: Handcrafted quality, sustainable materials, understated elegance.
8. Triboa Bay Living
Triboa Bay Living offers a unique blend of modern and rustic design, using reclaimed and sustainably sourced wood for a raw yet refined look. The brand’s pieces showcased in the districts of Bel Air II Makati, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, and Clark Pampanga emphasize natural textures and simplicity, catering to urban homeowners who value eco-conscious design. Triboa Bay’s furniture combines a clean aesthetic with a slightly rustic charm which is ideal for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in modern interiors.
- Signature Collections: The Nordic and Essentials series feature solid wood furniture with minimalist designs.
- Design Aesthetic: Modern rustic, minimalist, eco-friendly.
- Key Features: Reclaimed wood, warm textures, simple elegance.
9. Albero
Located in the commercial district of Pampanga, Albero is known for crafting elegant, bespoke furniture that merges modern design with Filipino artisanal craftsmanship. Albero’s furniture is highly customizable, and its artisans skillfully blend contemporary aesthetics with traditional techniques. The brand is ideal for urban homeowners looking for unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that reflect personal style while maintaining a minimalist appeal.
- Signature Pieces: Custom sofas, dining tables, and accent chairs with clean lines and modern finishes.
- Design Aesthetic: Contemporary, minimalist, bespoke.
- Key Features: Customizable designs, high-quality craftsmanship, unique and personal.
10. Design Story
With an office on The Alley at Karrivin in Chino Roces Avenue Makati, Design Story is a Philippine-based retailer that brings Scandinavian and minimalist furniture to Filipino homes. The brand carries well-known Scandinavian names like Hay and Normann Copenhagen, offering a curated selection of furniture, lighting, and decor. Although Design Story focuses on importing, it caters to the Filipino market with items that suit modern, compact spaces, making it popular among urban condo owners.
- Signature Brands: Hay and Normann Copenhagen, known for minimalist, functional designs.
- Design Aesthetic: Scandinavian-inspired minimalism, urban-friendly.
- Key Features: Sleek Scandinavian style, compact design, high-quality materials.
11. Las Palmas Furniture
Situated in Annapolis, San Juan, Las Palmas Furniture is renowned for its luxurious, timeless pieces that include modular kitchens, wardrobes, and wooden fixtures such as stairs and baseboards. Whether you want a bespoke dining table or custom cabinetry, Las Palmas can bring your vision to life. Prices depend on customization, and appointments can be made to discuss specific design needs.
- Signature Collections: Bespoke dining tables, modular kitchens, custom cabinetry.
- Design Aesthetic: Luxurious, timeless craftsmanship with a focus on classic and elegant designs.
- Key Features: Customizable pieces, high-quality wood fixtures, and tailored solutions for stairs, baseboards, and wardrobes.
How much does it cost to furnish a room?
Living Room Furniture is the most popular type of furniture in the Philippines. More and more Filipinos are choosing to buy furniture made in the Philippines that is good for the environment and supports local craftsmen. According to a well-known banking institution, furnishing a particular room can significantly impact your budget. While many units come with basic appliances, most Filipinos will still need to invest in furniture to complete the space.
- The bedroom typically incurs the highest costs, ranging from Php 35,000 to Php 65,000. This includes major expenses such as the bed frame, mattress, and air-conditioning unit.
- The living room, centered around the sofa and television, can cost between Php 33,000 to Php 55,000.
- The kitchen, equipped with appliances like stoves, microwaves, and rice cookers, along with utensils and cookware, can quickly accumulate costs, ranging from Php 13,000 to Php 51,000.
- While most bathrooms come with basic fixtures, upgrading or adding features like a water heater can increase costs.
These are just estimates, and the actual cost will vary depending on your chosen brands, quality, and desired level of comfort.
Each of these Filipino luxury furniture brands has embraced a global design aesthetic, blending it with the best local craftsmanship and natural materials. Whether it’s Kenneth Cobonpue’s avant-garde artistry, Philux’s Scandinavian-inspired elegance, or Industria Edition’s industrial minimalism, urban Filipinos have a variety of high-end options to elevate their living spaces with a unique, globally-inspired touch. These brands are not only raising the bar for local luxury but also helping bring Filipino craftsmanship to the world stage.
