From Workshop to Showroom: How to Get Your Furniture in Stores
So, you’ve spent months or maybe even years perfecting your furniture designs. Your pieces are solid, well-crafted, and maybe even turning heads at small markets or online. But now you're thinking bigger. You want to know how to get your furniture in stores, real stores, with foot traffic, shelf space, and customers who didn’t stumble across your Instagram by accident.
That’s a big step. It’s also a bit scary. You might be asking yourself things like, “Am I ready?” or “Will buyers even take me seriously?” The truth is, there’s no single way to break into retail. But there is a process. One that’s equal parts preparation, persistence, and a little bit of belief in your own work.
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Let’s walk through what this really takes. From refining your brand to pitching store buyers, this is about turning your craft into a business that lives beyond your garage or workshop.
1. Refine Your Product Before You Pitch
Before we even talk about how to get your furniture in stores, there’s a hard truth: not all great designs are ready for retail. And that’s okay. Sometimes the piece is solid, but the finish isn’t consistent. Or maybe the concept is strong, but the pricing doesn’t quite make sense at scale.
So take a moment to step back. Ask yourself:
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Is this product repeatable? Can I make it again and again with the same quality?
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Does it hold up to wear and tear?
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Have I tested it in homes, not just showrooms?
Getting your furniture into stores isn’t just about having something beautiful. It’s about having something reliable, something a buyer can confidently put on their floor.
At Miracle Furniture, we’ve had designs we absolutely loved that just weren’t ready. Sometimes we shelved them for a year, made adjustments, and brought them back better.
2. Know Your Numbers (And We Don’t Mean Followers)
It’s tempting to think that popularity equals success. But when it comes to how to get your furniture in stores, what really matters is the business side, your margins, production timelines, and wholesale pricing.
Let’s say a retailer wants to buy 10 units. Can you deliver that volume in a reasonable time? What’s your wholesale price versus your retail markup? Do you offer Net 30 terms? Are your materials sustainably sourced (if that matters to your target market)?
You don’t have to have it all figured out. But you should be able to speak confidently about how your business operates, especially in a B2B context. Store owners and buyers aren’t just shopping for style; they’re looking for consistency and professionalism, too.
3. Build a Simple but Solid Portfolio
This doesn’t need to be fancy. A clean PDF or a minimal website is fine. But when you’re thinking about how to get your furniture in stores, your portfolio becomes your handshake. It tells your story before you even say a word.
Include:
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Clear product images (styled and on a white background)
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Descriptions (size, materials, lead time)
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Your story (not your entire life story, just what makes your work different)
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Wholesale terms and pricing (or a note that it's available upon request)
Buyers love clarity. They don’t want to dig. So give them something professional enough to trust but still true to your brand voice.
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4. Find the Right Stores for Your Style
Here’s where it gets a little strategic. Not every store is a good fit. If your furniture has a sleek, modern aesthetic, pitching to a rustic country shop probably won’t get you very far. And honestly? That’s a good thing.
Part of knowing how to get your furniture in stores is knowing which stores actually align with your identity. Start local. Visit showrooms. Talk to store managers. Take note of price points, materials, and design sensibilities.
And yes, some of it is just plain legwork. Driving around town, flipping over price tags, and making awkward small talk. But that’s how relationships start. You can’t always skip to the “yes” without doing the groundwork.
5. Make Your Pitch Feel Like a Conversation
Let’s talk about the approach. Cold emails can work, but only if they don’t feel cold. Walk into a store if you can. Introduce yourself. Ask who does their buying. Be honest that you’re looking to connect, not necessarily sell on the spot.
When you do reach out (by email or in person), keep it short. A few essentials:
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A brief intro and who you are
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A link to your portfolio or line sheet
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A sentence or two about why you think your pieces fit their store
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A simple CTA: “Would you be open to reviewing my line?”
Buyers get a lot of pitches. The goal isn’t to impress them with everything you’ve ever done. It’s to start a real conversation. If they’re interested, they’ll ask questions. And if they don’t respond? That’s okay. Follow up politely once or twice. Then move on.
6. Start with Consignment If You Have To
Is it ideal? No. But it’s common. Especially for newer designers trying to learn how to get their furniture in stores for the first time.
Consignment means the store displays your work, but you only get paid when it sells. It carries more risk for you, less for them. But in return, you get visibility, customer feedback, and maybe even photos of your piece in a styled setting.
If you choose this route, set terms clearly: How long will they keep your piece? What happens if it doesn’t sell? Who handles delivery and returns?
And don’t see it as a step back. Plenty of brands Miracle Furniture included started with a consignment deal that eventually turned into full wholesale orders.
7. Show Up. Be Professional. Stay Patient.
We won’t sugarcoat it, this part is hard. You might get excited after a great store meeting, only to hear nothing for weeks. Or you might ship a piece, only to find it scratched in a display window. These things happen.
The trick isn’t avoiding failure. It’s staying in the game long enough to find your footing.
One piece of advice? Keep showing up. Attend local maker markets, design fairs, or trade shows if your budget allows. Network with other creatives. Join small business groups. The more visible and reliable you are, the more people remember you.
How to get your furniture in stores isn't just about design, it’s about being someone store owners want to work with. That means following up, delivering on time,and being polite even when you’re frustrated. All the soft skills that no one puts on a line sheet, but they matter just as much.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Evolve
Sometimes you get feedback you don’t want to hear. A buyer says your price is too high. Or your designs don’t match current trends. That can sting, especially when your furniture feels like part of who you are.
But if you want to grow, listen. It doesn’t mean abandoning your vision. It means adjusting. Maybe there’s a market for a smaller, more affordable version of your bestseller. Or a finish that appeals to coastal buyers. It’s still your work, just evolving.
At Miracle Furniture, some of our best sellers didn’t even exist three years ago. They came from trial, error, and a few honest conversations that hurt at the time but helped in the long run.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Journey, Not a Shortcut
We get it you want to see your furniture in stores. You want that moment where someone walks in, sees your piece, and says, “I need this in my home.” That’s the dream.
But how to get your furniture in stores isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a process. Sometimes a long one. It takes courage to walk in and pitch yourself. It takes even more to keep going when the answer is no.
The good news? Every designer you admire has been where you are. Wondering if they’re good enough. Doubting their pricing. Struggling to explain their style in just a few sentences. And most of them? They made it by showing up, refining their work, and staying open to the process.
So keep building. Keep learning. And keep putting yourself out there.
You’ve got something worth sharing. Don’t stop now.
Looking for more guidance or inspiration?
At Miracle Furniture, we believe in supporting makers at every stage. Whether you're just getting started or ready for your first big retail deal, we're cheering you on and sharing what we've learned along the way.