Furniture brands are always looking for new and innovative ways to attract customers, and one groundbreaking strategy is product visualization.
By incorporating advanced visualization 3D technologies, furniture brands are transforming the buying process, enabling customers to see and experience products in a whole new way.
What is Product Visualization?
Product visualization is the use of advanced technologies such as 3D modeling, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and 3D rendering to enable customers to interact with and visualize products in a more immersive and realistic way.
In the context of the furniture industry, product visualization involves creating realistic digital representations of furniture pieces that customers can interact with and see in 3D or their own space using AR and VR technologies.
By incorporating product visualization into the sales process, furniture brands are able to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping experiences, enhance personalization and customization, and enable customers to make more informed purchasing decisions.
Product Configuration and Visualization
By combining product configuration and visualization tools, customers can not only customize products according to their preferences but also visualize how these customizations will look in their space.
A 3D product configurator allows customers to personalize furniture pieces by selecting modules and other options such as color, material, size, shape, and additional features. They can instantly see the exact price and place their order online.
This level of customization gives customers a sense of ownership and enables them to create furniture pieces that reflect their unique style and needs. Check out - Top 10 product configurator examples 2024.
On the other hand, product visualization utilizes technologies like 3D rendering, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) to give customers a lifelike representation of the customized products.
Customers can design and visualize furniture pieces in real-time before they are even produced, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction, increased sales, and a stronger brand-customer relationship.
Top Furniture Brands Using 3D Product Visualization
Let's dive into how some of the top furniture brands are leading this transformation, setting new standards in the industry, and offering valuable lessons for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve.
IKEA – Augmented Reality for a Seamless Experience
IKEA has always been a trailblazer for innovative customer experiences, and its embrace of augmented reality (AR) is no exception.
The IKEA Place app, launched in 2017, was one of the first AR tools to allow users to place furniture in their homes using their smartphones virtually.
This app leverages Apple's ARKit technology, enabling customers to see a true-to-scale 3D model of a piece of furniture in their actual living space.
With IKEA Place, customers can see precisely how different items look in real-time, from different angles, and in the context of their own home environment.
Key takeaway:
This makes the shopping experience more enjoyable and significantly reduces the likelihood of returns, as customers are more confident in their choices before making a purchase.
BoConcept – Interior Design Service with a Personal Touch
BoConcept, a Danish brand known for its modern and functional designs, has embraced the power of customization to offer a highly personalized shopping experience.
BoConcept offers a personalized interior design service that helps clients create their ideal living spaces.
The BoConcept 3D Room Planner powered by VividWorks is a standout tool, enabling customers to design their own spaces, place customized furniture within them, and see how everything comes together before making a purchase.
Their professional interior designers work closely with customers to understand their style, needs, and preferences.
The service includes in-home consultations, 3D visualizations, and expert advice on furniture, color schemes, and accessories, ensuring a tailored and cohesive look for any space.
Key takeaway:
BoConcept’s goal is to make interior design accessible and enjoyable, providing a seamless process from concept to completion.
This level of personalization not only enhances customer satisfaction but also allows BoConcept to stand out in a crowded market where individuality and personal expression are increasingly valued.
West Elm – Virtual Reality Showrooms
While augmented reality is gaining traction, West Elm pushes the boundaries further with virtual reality (VR).
West Elm has launched "West Elm Home Design," a virtual world on Roblox, marking its debut in the metaverse as the first specialty home retailer on the platform.
This experience allows users to design and decorate virtual homes with over 150 realistic West Elm products, and engage in activities like design challenges and mini-games. The platform blends modern design with interactive features, aiming to connect with a wide audience of design enthusiasts and Roblox users.
Key takeaway:
This virtual experience is particularly useful for customers who might feel overwhelmed by the endless possibilities when decorating their homes. By providing a curated environment that showcases their products in use, West Elm helps guide customers through the decision-making process.
Blå Station - Innovative Furniture Design with 3D Configuration
Blå Station is a furniture company based in Sweden and was founded in 1986. The company focuses on creating unique and carefully crafted furniture pieces.
They offer a range of innovative and stylish public space sofas and seating solutions. Their designs are specifically created to enhance public spaces, such as offices, waiting areas, lobbies, airports, and other communal areas
Blå Station's BOB Planner offers an enhanced and simplified way to explore the full potential of the BOB system, providing greater creative freedom to design inspiring and unique furniture layouts.
The BOB planner utilizes the VividWorks 3D Product Configurator platform empowering customers to build their dream seating solution almost from scratch. Users can experiment with different design options and configurations in real time, making furniture selection and purchase decisions more informed and efficient.
Key takeaway:
Blå Station's product configuration tool enhances the customer experience by simplifying visualization of options. This boosts satisfaction, saves time for the sales team by reducing the need for multiple iterations and back-and-forth communication when finalizing customer designs, and reduces errors in orders and sales quotes.
Lundia – Sustainable Customization through Modular Design
Lundia, a Finnish brand renowned for its commitment to sustainability and quality, has brought a unique twist to product visualization by focusing on modular design and sustainable materials.
Lundia's shelving systems, made from solid wood, offer a high degree of customization, allowing customers to create storage solutions that fit perfectly into their spaces and lifestyles.
The VividWorks 3D Product Configurator is a key tool in their sales process. It enables customers to design and visualize their custom shelving units, choosing from various sizes, finishes, and configurations.
With the VividWorks’ product configuration tool, Lundia has streamlined the process of customizing furniture. Customers can easily configure their desired products online, selecting from various options and seeing instant updates to their choices.
Key takeaway:
Lundia's interactive platform boosts online customer experience and engagement, leading to higher conversion rates and satisfaction. VividWorks' technology also streamlines the sales process, enabling quicker and more accurate order fulfillment.
Ready to take your furniture business to the next level? Book a free consultation call with our team today to explore how we can help you implement cutting-edge visualization tools and strategies that will inspire your customers and drive sales 🚀