Tight budget: the strategies of the French to get furnished

Faced with budgetary constraints, the French adapt their strategies to equip their housing: wait and save, make compromises, pay in installments or consider renting.

Faced with financial constraints, the French are adapting their behavior to continue equipping their housing. The Sofinscope study conducted by OpinionWay for Sofinco shows that several strategies coexist: waiting and saving, accepting certain compromises, resorting to split payment or considering new modes of access such as renting furniture.

Wait and save before buying

The most common strategy is to postpone purchases to maintain a balanced household budget.

According to the study, 51% of French people prefer to wait and save before buying furniture rather than reducing their requirements or underequipping their home.

This behavior reflects a prudent management of expenses related to the equipment of the house.

Accepting certain compromises to make a project a reality

When budgetary constraints are stronger, the French also agree to review certain purchasing criteria.

The study indicates that 83% of French people are willing to make compromises to furnish their home.

These concessions include:

• product brand (34%)
• origin of manufacture (28%)

On the other hand, the French remain attached to the image that their interior reflects: only 13% would agree to make a compromise on this aspect.

Split payment to preserve the quality of purchases

Payment in installments is also seen as a way to balance the budget while maintaining a certain level of quality.

According to the study:

• 60% of the French consider split payment as a normal practice
• 66% believe that it helps to preserve the quality of the equipment purchased

Payment in several installments thus appears to be a solution allowing the expenditure to be distributed over time.

The emergence of new modes of access to furniture

The study also highlights the interest in more flexible forms of equipment.

For example, 35% of French people say they are willing to rent furniture or equipment for their home for several months.

This solution can meet different needs, especially for people who want to equip their home without immediately mobilizing a large budget.

To remember

The study highlights several strategies used by the French to furnish their homes despite budgetary constraints:

• 51% prefer to wait and save before buying
• 83% agree to compromise
• 60% consider split payment a normal practice
• 66% think it helps preserve quality
• 35% say they are willing to rent furniture