UK searches of furniture during March picked up again following February’s low result as searches within outdoor and garden furniture proved the most popular.

According to Google search data analysed by Big Furniture Group, four days during March 2024 saw ‘furniture’ searches record an index score of 90 or more, while a score over 80 came in at 11 days. The highest searched date was 24 March with a full score 100.

Google index’s its search data to 100. This means where 100 is the maximum search interest for the term selected, it is the highest value and indicates a high internet search.

The results saw related searches of ‘Wayfair garden furniture’ a popular search, up 500%, while more specific terms included ‘patio furniture sets’, up 250%, ‘Dunelm Garden Furniture’, up 200%, and ‘Moda garden furniture’, up 200%. The term ‘The Range outdoor furniture’ saw searches rise 170%, while other retailer searches included Lidl, Kettler, Habitat, Hartman and B&M. The terms ‘cheap garden furniture’ rose 150%, ‘corner garden furniture’ – also up 150%, and ‘rattan garden furniture’ was up 90%.

Other search terms Big Furniture Group reviewed included mattresses, bedroom furniture, dining furniture, living room furniture, sofas, carpets and flooring.

Mattresses

Mattress searches recorded three peak dates with an index score value of 90 or more. The highest searched date was 24 March with a full score of 100. Related brand searches saw Mattressman, Simba Sleep, Jay-Be, Dormeo, Dunelm, Relyon, Dreams and Emma all perform strongly, with Mattressman recording an uptick in searches of over 1,000%.

The term ‘how often should you change your mattress’ saw searches rise 160%, while ‘standard double mattress size’ searches increased 110% and ‘mattress store near me’ rose 70%. Furthermore, the term ‘Dreams mattress sale’ delivered a high volume of searches, with ‘mattress topper’ searches also popular. Another popular search term was ‘why are mattresses so expensive’, which could suggest consumers looking to be educated more.

Bedroom furniture

Bedroom furniture searches recorded one day of peak activity with an index value over 90. The highest searched date was 3 March with a full score of 100. Popular brand searches included The Cotswold Company, Hammonds, Dunelm, Oak Furnitureland, M&S, Sterling Furniture, Laura Ashley, ScS and Sharps. The terms ‘bedroom furniture sets’, ‘industrial style bedroom furniture’ and ‘bedroom furniture packages’ delivered high searches, all rising by over 2,000%, while ‘teenager bedroom furniture’ and ‘bedroom furniture for small spaces’ searches were also very popular.

Dining furniture

Dining furniture searches recorded three days of peak activity with an index value over 90. The most searched day was the 24 March, which scored a full 100. Popular brand searches included Fabb Furniture, Dwell, Furniture123, Hartman, Heal’s, Dunelm, John Lewis, The Range, Next, Neptune, Habitat, IKEA and Furniture Village. The term ‘outdoor dining set’ was a popular search, while ‘garden furniture’ experienced high breakout searches, suggesting that consumers are now focusing on investing in their outdoor spaces ready for the warmer weather.

Living room furniture

Living room furniture saw one peak day during the month. The most searched day was 16 March that scored the full 100 score. Popular brand related searches included Argos, Very, The Cotswold Company, Dunelm and Next. The terms ‘rustic living room furniture’, ‘industrial living room furniture’ and ‘rugs for living room’ all performed strongly, while ‘living room set’ searches were up 350%, ‘mirror’ rose 150%, and ‘shelf’ rose 100%.

Sofas

Sofa searches saw six peak dates, with the highest score of 100 recorded on 3 March. Popular related searches included ‘outdoor sofa’, up 90%, ‘garden sofa’, up 80%, ‘rattan sofa’, up 70%, and ‘waterproof sofa cover’, up 70%. As for brands, MADE searches rose by over 250%, ‘Long Eaton Sofas’ rose over 100%, ‘Sofa Club’ searches rose 80%, while ‘Homesense’ increased 150%. Other notable brand searches included Dusk, Dunelm, Sofology, HSL, The Range, Joules, Lee Longlands, Sofa Workshop, Collins and Hayes, DFS, Swoon, Fabb Furniture, Next and M&S.

Flooring & Carpets

Flooring searches saw two days scoring over 90, with the highest dates being 16 March, scoring the full 100. Carpet searches saw seven days scoring over 90, with the highest dates on 17 and 23 March, scoring the full 100. Popular brand searches included The Flooring Hut, Ted Todd, Topps Tiles, Karndean, B&Q, Tapi Carpets, Woolton Carpets, Jem Carpets, Pyramid Carpets, Trendy Carpets and United Carpets. Popular search terms included ‘cheap wood flooring’, ‘vinyl sheet flooring’, ‘luxury flooring and furnishings’ and ‘carpets uk’.

How can these stats help?

This data from Google indicates popular searches from multiple categories. Knowing what consumers are searching online can play an advantage into future promotions and general search behaviour.