The economic downturn is taking a heavy toll on furniture lovers—and even more so on furniture makers. Rising production costs have pushed many households to opt for sofa covers instead of commissioning new furniture, leaving craftsmen struggling for business.

Lukeman Ogedengbe, a furniture maker, says the shift has drastically reduced patronage:

“People no longer repair damaged sofas, let alone make new ones. They have resorted to buying sofa covers. Many of my colleagues are facing the same challenges.”

He explains that production costs have skyrocketed. Nails, wood, and sofa fabrics have all risen, making even a standard four-seater sofa cost between ₦600,000 and ₦800,000 for quality materials, while lower-quality versions range from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000.

Many homeowners are finding creative alternatives. Mrs. Fatima Johnson shared her experience:

“My seven-seater sofa had deteriorated after four years. A carpenter quoted almost ₦1 million for a new one or ₦250,000 to repair the old. I decided to buy materials and had a tailor make a custom sofa cover for just ₦40,000. My sitting room looks even better now.”

Originally intended to protect sofas from dust, stains, and wear, sofa covers are now being used as affordable alternatives to new furniture. Mrs. Amen Victor, a chemist, said:

“My four-seater sofa, made for ₦150,000 two years ago, was falling apart. I was quoted ₦400,000 for a new one. I settled for a sofa cover costing ₦10,000, and added two plastic chairs for under ₦50,000. A luxury sofa is no longer a do-or-die affair.”

As furniture makers lament dwindling orders, more Nigerians are turning to practical, cost-effective solutions—showing that ingenuity often thrives even during economic hardship.