Portland has a vibrant culture, eco-aware community and serious love for innovative, functional design. No surprise that in a city with such an eclectic palette, ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture has emerged as a popular, sustainable, and wallet-friendly solution for homeowners and renters alike.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!But why is it that RTA furniture is the choice of so many interior designers in Portland? And how do you make the best use of this flexible furnishing option? Let’s break down the pros, the cons, and those all important tips for choosing RTA furniture that meets your space, lifestyle and values.
What is Ready-to-Assemble Furniture?
RTA furniture, also known as flat pack furniture, is furniture that is shipped unassembled and just needs basic tools and some elbow grease to put together. From bookshelves that arrive in neat, flat boxes to dining tables that are ready to be assembled, RTA furniture is made for easy assembly, cost, and easy transport.
Yet RTA furniture is not just about the near-joy of assembling it on a slothful weekend; it represents a broader change in how we view the properties we live in.
Why Our Furniture Is Popular in Portland
Portland’s cultural values and unique ethos are why the RTA furniture market is perfect. Here’s a look at top reasons Portlanders are snapping up flat-pack designs:
Sustainability
Portland’s green credentials go well beyond recycling bins and bike lanes. RTA Furniture is commonly created to offset a smaller environmental impact. Do you know that packaging and transporation space are lessened as furniture is packed in flat-pack, thus significantly reducing the carbon footprint? Many brands such as IKEA and Article also use sustainably sourced wood and recyclable materials in their designs.
For Portlanders who value sustainability, RTA options check a lot of eco-friendly boxes.
Affordability
Portland is known for its creativity, but for many locals, affordability can be an issue — particularly for the rental crowd and newer professionals moving to the area. RTA furniture gives you the attractive and purpose-driven designs at a price that’s significantly lower than what you would pay for assembly furniture.
With high-end shops stocking everything from basic utilitarian to mid-century modern aesthetics, Portlandians can design stunning interiors on the cheap.
Customizability and Space Optimization
Neighborhoods in Portland are sprinkled with one-of-a-kind homes — bungalows, apartments, cottages and even tiny homes. And with no two spaces being the same, the modular nature of RTA furniture is crucial.
RTA shelving units or beds with built-in storage can be customized to fit every square inch of your home. Compact or multifunctional designs suit Portland’s small apartments and creative spaces perfectly.
Community and Craftsmanship
If you’ve been in Portland for any length of time, you know this city values hands-on making. There’s something satisfyingly DIY about putting RTA furniture pieces together yourself. It may not be SE Portland garage woodworking, but it’s definitely tapping into that “crafted with care” mentality that many people here hold in high regard.
On-the-go living with added convenience
Portland has lots of transplants and job, school and lifestyle-move outs. Whether you’re a fresh face at PSU on the down-low, or a new professional moving into a one-room Pearl District studio, or someone whose career requires traveling four times a week and you need some RV furniture to embark on your weekend getaways, RTA is easily portable!
What to Know When Selecting RTA Furniture
Even though RTA furniture can be quite beneficial to you, there are certain important things that you need to keep in mind before acquiring one. Here’s how to choose a good fit for your home and lifestyle:
Quality Over Convenience
Not all ready-to-assemble furniture is the same. Instead of flimsy particleboard, seek furniture that’s made with quality materials like engineered wood, solid hardwood, or metal frames. Brands such as West Elm and Crate & Barrel’s RTA collections tend to build pieces for durability in addition to aesthetic, so you’re really getting best in class designs.
Assess Your Assembly Skills
Do you have a comfy amount of an allen wrench or a screwdriver? But while most RTA furniture is ‘quick and easy to assemble’, some complex designs simply need a bit more patience (and perhaps a helping hand). If you’re not into DIY, hire a local handyman or task service.
Check Dimensions First
One of the biggest advantages of RTA furniture is it’s transportable — but it’s always a good idea to measure the space where you plan to place your item before purchasing. Both slightly smaller apartments and older homes in Portland can have eccentric dimensions. Be sure to measure both the space and the item before purchase so that it fits properly in the intended location.
Mind Your Style
Portland has eclectic tastes right and left—blend those bright, artistic hues with the classic Scandinavian or industrial tones found in popular RTA furniture collections. And finding a piece that reflects your personal aesthetic is an essential step in loving your finished space.
Plan for Longevity
RTA furniture is often low-cost, but spending more to buy pieces that you’ll be able to use across several homes and life stages can be worth it. Simple shelving units, modular seating arrangements and dining tables with extendable leaves are all good long-term RTA investments.
How to Find Portland’s Best RTA Furniture
Ready to shop for RTA furniture? Some favorite go-to shops among Portlanders include:
IKEA (Portland Metro Area): The much-beloved name in flat-pack furniture, IKEA carries everything from essentials to collection-worthy items.
Bungalow (SE Portland): This local furniture shop beautifully balances sustainability and style with a Portland aesthetic.
Article (Online): Article has perfected the fusion of mid-century modern with function, all while boasting customizable options for small spaces.
Target and Wayfair (online): Inexpensive and dependable, these venues offer an accessible entry point for those who are just beginning to arrange their home furnishings.
Transitioning to Practical, Elegant Living
RTA furniture isn’t just a trend — it’s a pragmatic approach to designing a space that can work for you, and Portland is the ultimate city to embrace it. Whether you want to keep it simple with neutral tones or generate bold contrasts with out-there modular furniture, there’s a flat-pack solution for every corner of your home.
Not sure where to start? Start small. Start with one statement-ready RTA piece that’s the crowning jewel of your home, and go from there. And before you know it, you’ll have a cohesive look (and new assembly skills to brag about!).
