If you’ve ever searched for “furniture stores near me,” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common things people type into Google when they’re hunting for something new for the home: whether that’s a dining table, a coffee table, or a custom piece that fits just right.

But there’s a bigger story behind that search, especially here in New Zealand. A story of how furniture has been made, bought, and valued across different generations - and how things are shifting again.

A Bit of NZ Furniture History

New Zealand has always had a strong relationship with timber and furniture-making. Early settler homes were built with what was on hand: native trees milled into solid, practical furniture. Over time, a local industry grew. Workshops, family businesses, and small factories popped up all over the country, especially in places like Christchurch, Auckland, and the West Coast.

By the mid-1900s, the country had a thriving furniture manufacturing sector. Pieces were made from solid timber, built to last, and passed down through families.

That all changed when furniture imports became more common. Cheaper options from overseas arrived in bulk, and many of the old workshops either closed down or had to change how they worked. The industry moved from large-scale manufacturing to something more local, personal, and design-focused.

What People Are Searching For Now

Today, the phrase “furniture stores near me” means different things to different people. For some, it’s about finding the nearest big-box retailer. But for more and more Kiwis, it’s about finding something local, made in New Zealand, and made well.

We’re seeing a shift. People are searching for:

• NZ made furniture

• Custom furniture

• Sustainable furniture

• Furniture online that doesn’t look like everything else

That’s encouraging to see. It shows that New Zealanders still care about where their furniture comes from: how it’s made, what it’s made of, and who’s making it.

Christchurch, Picton, Queenstown, Auckland… and Everywhere In Between

Each part of the country has its own take on furniture. Christchurch has long been a hub for makers and workshops - our hometown included. The rebuild brought in fresh energy, and there’s been a growing appreciation for well-made, local pieces ever since.

Up in Picton, where we also work from, the connection to nature feels even stronger. The bush, the coastline, the raw beauty - it’s all part of what inspires the pieces we make.

In places like Queenstown, there’s a blend of style and ruggedness. People want something timeless and beautifully made that fits into both modern homes and mountain cabins.

And in Auckland, the variety of spaces and tastes makes custom furniture a natural choice. When off-the-shelf doesn’t cut it, people start searching for something unique -and often find it’s worth waiting for a piece that’s been made just for them.

Where Innate Fits In

We’re a small team, quietly working to keep the tradition of local furniture making alive.

Everything we do is focused on natural materials, local timbers, and thoughtful design. We don’t chase trends. We just build simple, beautiful furniture that lasts. Most of what we make is custom - dining tables, benches, sideboards, and other pieces designed to suit the people and spaces they’re made for.

We’ve got one foot in Christchurch and one in Picton, with pieces delivered all over the country. And although we mostly work directly with customers, a lot of people still find us by typing something like “furniture near me.”

It’s nice to know that those small searches are part of a much bigger movement. One that’s slowly bringing furniture-making back home.