Furniture Revolution
Dream furniture can now be built by the customer themselves. The Perm-based IT company Privet Maket has shaken up the interior design market with a digital platform that combines the capabilities of a furniture factory with the convenience of modern software tools. The service automates the entire process – from the initial idea to the finished product – eliminating intermediaries. No comparable solution with this level of automation currently exists on the Russian market.
The platform operates as an intuitive online constructor that allows users to design furniture of any size in about five minutes, instantly calculate the price, and place a manufacturing order. The digital system automatically generates a 3D furniture model, a complete set of technical drawings, and CNC machine files required for production.
IT Technologies Reshape the Interior Market
Users can design wardrobes, shelving units, cabinets, dressers, and other furniture items on their own and then launch them into production either at the company’s own facilities or at partner workshops operated by Privet Maket.
A key advantage of the system is pricing transparency. Because intermediaries are removed from the chain, consumers can purchase furniture at roughly half the usual cost. The savings do not come from reduced quality but from a different market structure. Advertising expenses, showroom rent, and sales manager commissions are eliminated. Customers pay only for the product itself while receiving a customized design at a price comparable to a standard off-the-shelf item. According to the company’s experience, the core audience consists of internet-savvy users aged 20 to 40. The company currently processes about 20 to 30 orders each month.
Government Support Helps the Perm Startup Scale
The online service for rapid furniture design was launched in 2017, and the business model was tested for several years. In 2022, government support enabled the company to launch full-scale production. To build a prototype of what the developers call a “distributed digital furniture factory,” the company received a grant of 4 million rubles ($51,800) from Fond Sodeystviya Innovatsiyam (Innovation Assistance Fund).
Participation in the federal Importozameshchenie (Import Substitution) program operated by the Moy Biznes (My Business) support center allowed the company to obtain the status of a small technology enterprise. This opened access to simplified IT accreditation and substantial tax incentives, which are critical for an early-stage startup. With financial backing from the MSP Corporation, Privet Maket also acquired a new high-precision machine through leasing. The equipment cost more than 2.6 million rubles ($33,600) and expanded production capacity while improving the quality of finished furniture.
The combination of grant funding, tax incentives, and investment tools created a stable foundation for scaling the business. Today the company operates a workshop in Perm and is developing a network of partner production facilities across other regions of Russia. Orders already come from across the country, and the service has also attracted interest from foreign furniture manufacturers.
Personalization Replaces Mass-Market Furniture
The rapid growth of online furniture design tools and interior DIY services – short for do it yourself – reflects a broader global shift toward product personalization. According to Future Market Report, the global DIY furniture market is expected to reach $24.8 billion by 2032.
Despite economic instability in recent years, the Russian DIY market has demonstrated strong adaptability. Retailers have expanded product lines and moved aggressively into digital channels. By late 2023 and early 2024, the ten largest Russian DIY chains accounted for 38.6% of the market. Combined sales of these companies increased by more than 11%, reaching 1.3 trillion rubles ($16.8 billion). This indicates both market consolidation and rising operational efficiency among major players. The fastest-growing segment has been online marketplaces, where sales expanded 2.5 times, reflecting the growing popularity of e-commerce within the DIY sector.
DIY Furniture of the Future
Sanctions and disruptions in global supply chains have accelerated the development of Russia’s domestic DIY market. In the coming years, analysts expect further expansion of omnichannel retail strategies and online sales. Import substitution efforts will also continue as retailers attempt to meet growing demand for high-quality and environmentally responsible products.
Looking ahead, digital solutions developed by Russian DIY companies may find opportunities in international markets, particularly in Asia and neighboring countries. The example of the Perm-based technology company Privet Maket illustrates how Russian manufacturers are strengthening their positions and offering competitive alternatives to foreign products.
