Local vs. Imported Furniture: Let’s Talk About It

There’s a quiet debate that often comes up in interior design circles: “Should I go for imported furniture, or can I trust locally made pieces to give me that high-end, polished look?”

As someone who has worked extensively with both, I’ll tell you this it depends. And no, that’s not a lazy answer. It truly depends on several factors: the design, the materials, the detailing, and the finishing.

At Camelot Designs, we’ve created breathtaking spaces with imported pieces, and we’ve also designed stunning locally made furniture crafted right here in Nigeria that can sit proudly in any global luxury showroom.

When a client brings us a picture of their dream furniture, our first step is not to copy. We study the piece. We break it down:

• Can we source the same or similar materials locally?
•  What kind of inner components (wood, foam, support systems) are used, and how do they affect durability and comfort?
• Which fabrics or finishes will give that premium, luxurious feel?
• Can our artisans match the level of stitching, polishing, and detailing?

Once we’ve answered these questions, we know whether we can deliver the same quality locally or if we’ll need to import specific components to achieve that flawless finish.

The truth is, sometimes the difference comes down to the artisan and the attention to detail. With the right skill and materials, you won’t even be able to tell which piece is locally made and which is imported. Other times, we may recommend imported options if the quality needed simply isn’t available here yet.

But here’s what we believe; “It’s not about which is better. It’s about what’s right for your space.” Imported and locally made pieces can live beautifully side-by-side. In fact, we recently styled a space using both, and even our clients couldn’t tell which was which. That’s the standard we strive for seamless, timeless, and elegant.

In this post, I’ll be sharing some comparison photos so you can see for yourself or rather, notice how hard it is to spot any difference. Look closely at the stitching, the structure, and the overall feel. At Camelot’s Home, we care about quality, not just the source.