The simplicity of Perplexity

February 5, 2026 ·Gabriel Comelli

With AI continuing to be a buzzword around the furniture industry, this month we explore a tool used to garner inspiration from furniture-specific questions and see how it responded to the test. We’ve all heard of ChatGPT, but what about Perplexity AI?

In its own words, Perplexity is a free AI-powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted and real-time answers to any question.

So, on that note, questions at the ready, here are some of the key responses from questions we put to the tech. To kick it off – and no, it’s not the start of my beloved Norwich City’s anthem – the oldest in football history I might add – but I mean the first question pitched.

What is trending right now for furniture and bed retailers in the UK?

Here’s a concise snapshot of current UK trends in furniture and bed retailers based on recent industry chatter and market reports.

Online-first retailers and omnichannel experiences

Consumers increasingly expect seamless online browsing, virtual room planning, and quick delivery options, with many retailers investing in stronger e-commerce platforms and click-and-collect services. This shift is driven by convenience and faster fulfilment, especially for mid-range to premium segments. Trade analyses and market forecasts highlight online channels as a growing share of UK furniture sales.

Focus on sleep comfort and bespoke bedroom solutions

Beds and mattresses remain central to category growth, with interest in adjustable bases, hybrid and memory-foam options, and eco-friendly materials. Bespoke or semi-fitted wardrobes and modular storage solutions are popular as urban homes service smaller footprints but demand flexible layouts.

Sustainability and materials

Eco-friendly materials (certified wood, low-VOC finishes, recycled metals) and sustainable supply chains are increasingly important to buyers. Retailers are also highlighting durability and repairability as value drivers, not just price.

Smart and connected features

Some brands are piloting smart furniture elements (sleep tracking-compatible beds, app-controlled lighting/storage) to differentiate offerings and enhance in-home experiences. Expect gradual adoption rather than a wholesale shift in mid-market segments.

Value-led and flexible financing

Payment options and transparent pricing strategies help manage affordability for larger purchases like beds and wardrobes, particularly among younger shoppers.

Hybrid showroom experiences

Physical stores remain important for trust and test-fitting, but many retailers are redesigning spaces to feel like curated experiences—therapy-like showrooms, lifestyle vignettes, and “design-your-room” stations to bridge online and in-store decisions.

Illustrative example

A typical buyer journey now often starts with an online lookbook or room-planner tool, moves to in-store testing of key items like mattresses or beds, and concludes with either home delivery or a scheduled setup service. This blended approach reflects the industry’s move toward convenience, personalization, and confidence-building.

What furniture product category is performing strongest so far in 2026?

Home-office furniture is performing the strongest among UK furniture product categories so far in 2026. This category leads with the highest projected CAGR of 3.24%, outpacing living-room and dining-room furniture at steadier but lower growth rates. Hybrid work patterns, tax incentives and demand for ergonomic items such as adjustable desks and lumbar-support chairs fuel this surge. Property renovations for home workspaces further extend the trend, with 44% of homeowners planning such conversions soon.

Overall, UK home furniture is expected to grow at 2.98% CAGR to 2031, but home-office outperforms due to employer funding and remote-work persistence. Living-room furniture holds the largest share (31.78% in 2025), yet lacks the same acceleration. Online channels amplify access to these specialised pieces.

How should I promote national bed month?

National Bed Month runs throughout March in the UK, organised by the National Bed Federation (NBF) and Sleep Council to promote better sleep via quality beds and mattresses.

Core Promotion Strategies

Leverage the month's focus on sleep health by offering discounts on beds, mattresses, and bedding—aim for 20-30% off or bundle deals like "buy a mattress, get pillows free." Run educational social media campaigns highlighting facts like beds deteriorating 70% in seven years or spending 20,000 hours in one over that time. Partner with local influencers or The Sleep Charity for webinars on sleep hygiene and Bed MOT quizzes.

Digital and In-Store Tactics

Boost online visibility with targeted ads on Facebook/Instagram using hashtags like #NationalBedMonth, #SleepBetter, and geo-fencing for Leicester shoppers.
Host in-store events: free sleep consultations, pillow fort demos for families, or "test-a-bed" nights with breakfast-in-bed pop-ups.
Email newsletters with tips (e.g., rotate mattresses every six months, replace every seven years) and urgency like "Spring refresh your sleep before clocks change."

Tie to Current Trends

Align with 2026's strong home-office furniture growth by promoting adjustable beds for better rest amid hybrid work—position beds as productivity boosters. Emphasise sustainability (eco-mattresses, NBF-approved fire-safe labels) to tap value-led buying. Track success via promo code redemptions and footfall spikes, as seen in past retailer campaigns.

The above are just three question examples with the platform providing links to sources that formulated the responses. Overall, it’s a good place to start if you are looking to find out initial information on topics that could help towards marketing strategies or forward planning. An interesting feature is the image results and video links too, which, again can be utilised for research purposes.

As a free tool, another option it provides is related questions and queries on the searchable topic. This could fuel further research and open up other areas of interest that you may not have considered initially. What’s more, there are other several features too, including the ability create your own ‘space’ for researching projects around a current theme, a discovery tab and history button that saves your most recent searches.

A note of warning though – as with most AI platforms, the data it throws out needs to be considered carefully and administered correctly. Some questions that were asked gave out-of-date information, which is why you have to be as specific as you can when entering a query. That said, the tool is a good place to start on the AI free landscape. As the year unfolds, we will be looking at other areas AI can benefit furniture and beds businesses, so watch this space.

For now, enjoy the simplicity of Perplexity and see what inspiration you can draw from the AI search engine.

www.perplexity.ai

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