[Homebody Furniture Choices] ② Transforming Beautiful and Healthy Spaces: 'Bookshelves and Desks'

The study room decorated with Hanssem's 'Saemchaekjang,' which has become a 'National Bookshelf.'
[Photo by Hanssem]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] If the 'homebody' chose a sofa for comfortable rest, the furniture selected for efficient space utilization and home decoration includes bookshelves, chairs, and side tables as daily accessories. In particular, consumers preferred products that are affordable and easy to replace according to trends and needs, with excellent design and quality at a low price.

Recently, million-sellers on online malls are Hanssem Mall's 'Saem Bookshelf' and 'Saem Kids Storage Cabinet.' Since its launch in 2009, the Saem Bookshelf has sold about 200,000 units by 2011, 1 million units by 2014, and approximately 2 million units as of December last year, earning it the nickname 'National Bookshelf.' If you stack all the Saem Bookshelves sold so far (as of December 2019), it would be taller than 10,000 of the 63 Building (249m above ground).

Hanssem 'SamKids Storage Cabinet' Cotton Candy Edition staged photo.
Photo by Hanssem

The Saem Kids Storage Cabinet, which can neatly and conveniently store everything from baby products to children's toys, has sold over 1 million sets since its launch in 2009. It is a highly popular product among parents with children, known as the 'National Storage Cabinet' and an 'essential item for childcare.'

Fursys Group's lifestyle furniture brand 'iloom' has popular products in the study and kids categories on its online mall. This is interpreted as increased interest in desks, chairs, and kids' furniture due to new semester issues, delayed school openings caused by COVID-19, and the rise of online learning.

iloom's bestseller is the bookshelf series 'Roy Mono.' Its sales rate grows by about 18% monthly on average. The newly launched online-exclusive Roy Mono series in November last year features a clean design in monotone gray. Considering the difficulty of physical inspection in online channels, it is composed of neat monotone colors.

Illoom_'Roimono' bookshelf and desk.
[Photo by Illoom]

Meeting the needs of online consumers who consider cost-effectiveness, it was effective to offer a reasonable price by reducing some specifications compared to the offline 'Roy.' Sales of 'Oliver,' a stylish chair designed for use from upper elementary to high school students, also increased accordingly, and orders for the study desk 'Itakaneo,' which allows focused study at home like a study room, rose by 56% in the first quarter compared to the previous year.

Enex's online mall bestseller is the 'EW Bailey Built-in Closet.' The reason for the popularity of this immovable built-in closet is its excellent quality and sophisticated design, combined with an affordable price, performance, and after-sales service (A/S). Currently, it can be purchased for around 70,000 KRW per 30cm unit on Enex Mall. Despite the low price, it is an eco-friendly furniture certified by the Ministry of Environment with an E0 grade.

New furniture usually emits formaldehyde, which can cause new house (new furniture) syndrome. One of the harmful substances causing new furniture syndrome is formaldehyde. Furniture materials are graded SE0, E0, E1, and E2 according to the amount of formaldehyde emitted.

Enex's 'EW Bailey Built-in Closet'.
Photo by Enex

The Ministry of Environment's environmental mark certification requirement level is E0 grade. Eco-friendly materials correspond to SE0 grade with formaldehyde emission of 0.3 mg/L or less and E0 grade with 0.5 mg/L or less. E1 grade is assigned for emissions of 1.5 mg/L or less, and E2 grade for emissions above 1.5 mg/L. The grades usable for furniture materials start from E1. Being eco-friendly furniture and a product that allows professional measurement, installation, and after-sales service, it has captured consumers' hearts.

The 'ET Sharon Marble Dining Table,' which can create a trendy dining room, also gained popularity. The marble tabletop features an elegant and dramatic pattern with a glossy coating that provides a sheen. The tabletop corners can be chosen as square or round. The lower frame can be selected according to preference among rose gold, silver, and antique gold, and it is stainless steel plated for high strength and rust prevention. It is also convenient to use as chairs can be tucked in from the front or side.

A Hanssem official said, "Due to the economic downturn, single- and two-person households are showing interest in home decoration that can change the atmosphere at a low cost," adding, "Small furniture items such as daily accessories, side tables, tables, and single armchairs, which can change the atmosphere at a low cost, are also selling well."