Buying household goods and furniture in Portugal
For centuries, products made in Portugal have been well known for their quality. From the famous Port Wine to Portuguese tiles, canned goods or cheese. Recently, other Portuguese goods have also excelled in the international market, namely industrial products that today compete alongside the best worldwide brands.
Products such as cork, footwear, textiles and ceramics, for example, are some of Portugal's top exports. But did you know that Portuguese Furniture also represents a significant value in national exports and continues to grow year after year?
Currently, the furniture sector in Portugal has over 5,000 companies producing for the national and international markets, as well as very specific niche markets.
Thanks to globalization and investment in new equipment, areas of specialization and increase of resources, today Portuguese furniture is renowned worldwide for its excellent quality. It also boasts a greater culture of design, which has allowed several national brands to export furniture to such demanding markets as France, Angola, the United Kingdom, the USA, Arab countries and China.
The specialization in custom-made and luxury furniture has also proved to be of extreme importance, allowing Portuguese furniture brands to meet the growing demands of both national and international clients.
In this context of global market trends, Portugal Interiors made the conscious decision, from the first moment, to only sell furniture made in Portugal. Our exclusive lines are produced by Portuguese companies with experience in in-house design, which gives us an added guarantee of quality.
The possibility of working closely with these suppliers also allows us to develop specific products that meet the needs of our clients. Such as furnishing holiday rental homes, where the intensive use of furniture requires each piece to be durable and easy to clean. As well as aesthetically beautiful – no one wants to spend their holiday in a house with outdated or ugly furniture!
Portugal Interiors also buys all its textiles from local suppliers, allowing our clients to choose the fabric for curtains, decorative pillows and bedspreads, for example.
Textiles produced in Portugal are of superior quality! Also, buying from national suppliers allows us to secure faster delivery times and more convenience, as we can work directly with seamstresses who understand which are the best fabrics for each purpose.
The same applies to buying other items needed to furnish a home, such as kitchenware and even household appliances. Although these products may be the same regardless of where you purchase them, there are other advantages that make buying locally the simplest and most economical solution in the long run. For example, if you break a plate or cup, buying locally makes it relatively simple to replace these items.
Warranty management of household appliances is also easier when buying from local companies. If your TV set breaks down, would you rather go to your neighbourhood store, where they take care of everything and even lend you a set while your equipment is being repaired or replaced? Or would you prefer the hassle of contacting a big resale warehouse or, worse, managing a guarantee with an online vendor where, most of the time, you don't even know who you are buying from?
“For Portugal Interiors, the choice is simple: we will always buy from Portuguese suppliers, who allow us to guarantee the best possible customer experience to those who entrust us with decorating and furnishing their homes.”
Last but not least, buying locally is important for Portugal… and for the environment! By cutting transportation costs and miles, we reduce pollution, create more sustainable jobs and support small businesses that are important in our communities.
Our clients are happy to know that they are not only buying quality but also giving back to the Portuguese people who have welcomed them so warmly!
Article by Allenah Tereso - Managing Director of Portugal Interiors