Product data architecture in furniture, materials & finishes.
A short starter guide on the terminology and applications of color systems in design software.
What are product variants?
Product variants in furniture refer to the different options or configurations available for a particular furniture item. Some common examples of product variants in furniture include:
- Size Variants: Furniture pieces like beds, sofas, and tables may come in different size options such as twin, full, queen, or king for beds, or small, medium, and large for sofas and tables.
- Material Variants: Furniture can be made from a variety of materials like wood, metal, glass, leather, etc. Customers may be able to choose the material for components like the frame, tabletop, upholstery, etc.
- Color/Finish Variants: Furniture is often available in multiple color or finish options, such as different wood stains, paint colors, or fabric choices for upholstery.
- Style Variants: Certain furniture collections or designs may offer different style variations, such as contemporary, traditional, mid-century modern, etc.
- Functional Variants: Features like adjustable height, reclining mechanisms, storage options, etc. can create functional variants for furniture pieces like office chairs, sectional sofas, or entertainment centers.
- Modular Variants: Modular furniture allows customers to mix and match different components to create a customized configuration, such as choosing the size, shape, and arrangement of sectional sofa pieces.
Providing product variants gives customers more flexibility to choose furniture that matches their specific needs, preferences, and interior design style. Retailers and manufacturers use variants to cater to a wider range of consumer tastes and requirements.
What are some common Product Variant Structures?
1. Simple Variants
Description:
Basic product variations with a single variant level, typically used for straightforward furniture pieces.
Common Attributes:
- Color/Finish (learn more about swatches and colorways)
- Size (Small/Medium/Large)
- Material
Example:
Base Product: Dining Chair
└── Variants:
├── Color: Oak, Walnut, White
└── Each color is a separate SKU
2. Nested Variants (Matrix Structure)
Description:
Multiple interdependent variation levels, creating a matrix of options. Common for configurable furniture pieces.
Common Attributes:
- Primary: Material/Finish
- Secondary: Size
- Tertiary: Color/Upholstery
Example:
Base Product: Sofa
└── Material
├── Leather
│ ├── Size: 2-Seater, 3-Seater, 4-Seater
│ └── Color: Black, Brown, Tan
└── Fabric
├── Size: 2-Seater, 3-Seater, 4-Seater
└── Pattern: Solid, Striped, Floral
3. Configurable Products
Description
Complex structures where customers can select multiple options that combine to create a unique product.
Common Attributes
- Base Model
- Components
- Finishes
- Optional Features
Example
Base Product: Modular Wardrobe
└── Configuration Options
├── Width: 100cm, 150cm, 200cm
├── Height: 200cm, 220cm, 240cm
├── Door Style: Sliding, Hinged
├── Interior Layout
│ ├── Hanging Rails
│ ├── Shelves
│ └── Drawers
└── Finish: Matt, Gloss
4. Component-Based Structure
Description
Products built from multiple components, each with its own variants. Common in modular furniture systems.
Common Attributes
- Base Components
- Add-on Components
- Connecting Elements
- Finishes for Each Component
Example
Base Product: Modular Office Desk
└── Components
├── Desktop
│ ├── Size: 120cm, 150cm, 180cm
│ └── Material: Laminate, Solid Wood
├── Legs
│ ├── Style: A-Frame, T-Frame
│ └── Color: Black, Silver
└── Optional Add-ons
├── Cable Management
├── Privacy Screen
└── Monitor Stand
5. Bundle Structure
Description
Pre-configured combinations of furniture items sold as a set, with variants possible at the bundle level.
Common Attributes
- Set Components
- Bundle Options
- Finish Combinations
Example
Base Product: Dining Room Set
└── Bundle Options
├── Basic (Table + 4 Chairs)
├── Standard (Table + 6 Chairs)
└── Complete (Table + 6 Chairs + Sideboard)
Each with consistent finish options
What is meant by "COM"?
In the furniture and upholstery industry, COM stands for Customer’s Own Material. It refers to the option for customers to supply their own fabric or material to be used on a furniture piece, rather than choosing from the pre-selected options offered by the manufacturer.
Here’s how COM typically works:
- Customer Selection: The customer or designer sources a fabric from an external supplier that meets the desired style, color, or quality.
- Specification Requirements: The manufacturer provides guidelines for the fabric, such as required yardage, durability standards, and width.
- Application: The supplied fabric is then used by the manufacturer to upholster the chosen furniture piece according to the customer’s specific design preference.
COM is popular among designers and clients who want a truly personalized look, often for higher-end or custom furniture projects. It allows for more control over the final appearance, but may require additional time and sometimes extra fees for handling non-standard materials.
What is the difference between a customization (COM) and a product variant?
In the furniture and materials industry, customization and variant both refer to ways of adapting products, but they have distinct meanings:
- Customization:
- Customization refers to individual, client-driven changes made to a product’s design, dimensions, materials, or finishes. It’s a highly flexible process that allows a product to be tailored to meet specific requirements or preferences.
- Examples: Choosing a custom fabric for a sofa, altering the dimensions of a table to fit a specific space, or selecting a unique wood finish.
- Customizations are often made-to-order and may require additional lead time or costs because they’re tailored specifically to one client’s request.
- Variant:
- A variant is a predefined version of a product with specific options or attributes selected by the manufacturer, usually offered as part of a product line. Variants are standardized configurations that cater to common preferences or style trends, making them easier to produce in larger quantities.
- Examples: A chair available in three standard colors or a sofa that comes in either leather or fabric upholstery as part of the regular product range.
- Variants are typically ready-made options that don’t require special customization, allowing for faster availability.
In short, customization is client-specific and flexible, while a variant is a standardized option designed for broader appeal.
And how does a SKU relate to a product variant?
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is directly related to product variants in furniture and other retail products.
The key relationship between SKUs and product variants is:
- Each unique combination of product attributes (size, color, material, etc.) is considered a distinct product variant.
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- Each unique product variant is assigned its own distinct SKU number.
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The SKU acts as a unique identifier for that specific product variant. It allows the retailer to track, manage, and sell that variant independently from other variants of the same core product.
For example, let's say a furniture retailer sells a sofa that comes in 3 sizes (small, medium, large) and 4 color options (black, grey, blue, green). This would result in 12 distinct product variants, each with its own SKU:
- Small Black Sofa - SKU 123456
- Small Grey Sofa - SKU 123457
- Small Blue Sofa - SKU 123458
- Small Green Sofa - SKU 123459
- Medium Black Sofa - SKU 123460
- Medium Grey Sofa - SKU 123461
- And so on for all 12 variants...
The SKU allows the retailer to track inventory, sales, pricing, etc. for each specific variant independently. It's an essential tool for managing the complexity of product variants in furniture and other industries.