Secure and Aesthetic Homeware Packaging
We all love our homes. They are safe places where we come to rest, rejuvenate, and grow! Every element of our house is unique and means something to each one of us.
This makes homeware products not just about functionality but about creating a personal style, a comfort zone, and an ambience – even though the functional benefits of homeware items cannot be ignored even the slightest.
Homeware items include everything about the home. Starting with tableware, cookware, kitchen accessories, soft furnishing, and home décor to lighting, storage solutions, and bathroom essentials. Every single item that you buy for your home is homeware.
A lot of thought, time, and effort goes into finding the most suitable homeware item and therefore, there are significant levels of emotions invested in receiving homeware. Whether purchasing it physically in-store or ordering items online, homeware packaging is critical to the entire experience.
Homeware packaging safeguards the products from damage and enhances the customer’s unboxing experience. In the case of homeware, it is also important to note that some items such as tableware, serveware, and home decoration would regularly be repacked so having a box where the items can safely rest till the next use is also a crucial factor in continued customer satisfaction from the brand.
So, what should you, as a homeware brand, do to perfect your product’s packaging?
The answer is simple: Invest in custom packaging for your products and shipping needs.
Why Do Homeware Items Need Custom Boxes?
The online market for homeware has grown massively over the years, and so requires custom packaging that can support the transit and storage of these items. However, homeware’s need for custom boxes isn’t just limited to operational requirements. It is also about wowing customers, informing them of what is included in the package, providing return labels, instructions, and material care information, and winning their continued trust and preference.
Several homeware items often require well-structured, well-cushioned, and properly compartmentalized packaging. Customers receiving damaged items after patiently waiting and planning to receive their homeware item is probably the single worst thing that a brand can do to itself. Yes, the customer would be able to repost the item or claim a refund for the damaged item, but the hassle and the disappointment of the entire process will discourage the customer from returning to the brand again.
For this, sellers need to focus on box customizations that can provide tailored fit and protection to the products. Today’s custom packaging industry is more than equipped to provide the desired packaging for any type of product and business needs. For example, homeware items can be packed in custom boxes that feature double-walled corrugated construction and be further secured through cushioning inserts. Such custom boxes and many other types are able to ensure that fragile items are delivered in perfect condition.
Next, homeware packaging needs to be aesthetically pleasing. A beautiful box that elevates the customer’s unboxing experience through luxury finishes, personalized or helpful box inserts and customized branding elements creates a lasting impression. The positive emotions generated through such aesthetic custom packaging not only strengthen the brand identity but also motivate the customer to share their purchase with friends or family or via social media. Customers directly perceive the effort that a brand puts into its homeware packaging as an effort to wow them. Such strategic initiatives are key when trying to break free from the crowded homeware & décor marketplace.
Custom boxes have the following key parts:
At each step, there are multiple box customizations available that brands can make use of, to create packaging that is perfect for their products and needs.
Let’s have a look at homeware packaging options that cater precisely to the needs of protection and presentation.
Options for Protective Homeware Packaging
For products requiring protection, sellers can choose either corrugated boxes or rigid boxes.
Corrugated boxes are made by assembling multiple layers of paper for a lightweight yet robust base material. A layer of wavy corrugation, or fluting, is added in the middle of an outer and inner liner. The inner liner, which would come in contact with the product itself, is matched with the needs of the product, while the outer liner, which will be the source of printing and brandin,g is matched with the design needs.
The corrugated sheet itself can be single-walled (one layer of fluting), double-walled (two layers of fluting), or triple-walled (three layers of fluting). With each layer of fluting, the strength, rigidity, and shock absorption of corrugated boxes increase. For example, a 24-piece dinner set would need double-walled corrugated boxes, further secured with corrugated inserts to ensure security. On the other hand, items such as an extension wire or a cutlery set can be safely packed in single-walled corrugated boxes.
These boxes offer the benefit of mass, cost-effective, and quick manufacturing. These boxes are machine-made which means that the higher the volume of the order, the lower will be the cost per unit for the box. This makes corrugated boxes perfect for lower and medium-tier homeware packaging such as regular household tables and kitchenware.
The next type of box in paper packaging is the rigid box.
Rigid boxes are a more premium type of packaging. They are made from durable paperboard (often greyboard) that can range from 1.5mm to 3mm in thickness. Unlike boxes specifically chosen to be collapsible for better inventory management, these boxes cannot be folded and maintain their shape. These features allow the box to keep its contents safe during storage and delivery. The base material of rigid boxes also makes them more resistant to physical impacts and environmental elements such as heat, light, and moisture.
These boxes also offer various box customization options that can be effectively incorporated into homeware packaging. However, as compared to corrugated boxes, rigid boxes come with a higher price per unit making them more suited to premium branding.
Options for Aesthetic Homeware Packaging
Corrugated boxes can be layered with various outer liners, allowing for varying print and design results. These die-cut boxes support all types of printing and coatings, which can significantly enhance your homeware packaging. Depending on your product needs, you can choose from straight or reverse tuck-end corrugated boxes, corrugated trays, or tear-strip corrugated boxes.
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While corrugated boxes support printing and designing of all sorts, they are less luxurious than rigid boxes, which have hand-crafted finishes and specialty outer liners. This makes them the preferred option for brands on a budget.
On the other hand, budget is not the primary concern for more expensive and luxury-focused high-end homeware brands such as Aquazzura Casa or Emilia Wickstead. Brands such as these and others aiming at the same customer appeal are more concerned with evoking the right sentiments in their customers. For these brands, packaging is a matter of pride as it would be the container that carries their precious products to their new homes.
For developing aesthetics that would facilitate these brand values, rigid boxes are the preferred choice in cases where the homeware brand has decided to use paper packaging. As mentioned, rigid boxes are lined with specialty art papes layered over a smooth greyboard surface. The outer liner for rigid boxes also facilitates the printing process by making the colors appear more vibrant. Any further box customizations, such as foil printing, spot UV, or lamination only add to the appeal of these rigid boxes.
Like corrugated boxes, rigid boxes can also be customized into various shapes. Types of rigid boxes most suited for homeware packaging include the following:
- Hinged Neck, Magnetic Closure Rigid Boxes: Perfect for items that have to be repacked again (such as designer cutlery sets, or candlesticks) as this box allows for a convenient box opening mechanism.
- Two-Piece, Lid-Off Rigid Boxes: Perfect for flatter boxes (such as for serveware and table linen).
Additional considerations when selecting the right homeware packaging
Custom packaging has been a hero for all industries throughout the world. It has allowed brands to expand their operations, reach more customers through e-commerce, and provide improved product security. Custom packaging has also greatly supported homeware brands, making them more connected with their customers.
When packaging homeware items, manufacturers and sellers need to consider both protection and presentation, homeware items have both a functional and emotional appeal for the customers, requiring brands to pay holistic attention to every interaction with the customer.
Custom boxes for homeware need to protect their contents, be reusable, and also have the right design appeal to wow their audience. Brands can choose corrugated boxes if they are looking for budgeted packaging for lower to medium-tier products and can opt for rigid boxes for more premium products.
When selecting the right homeware packaging for your business, you must consider both budgetary and supply chain limitations. Our team of packaging experts is very experienced in developing the perfect custom boxes for you. Brands can contact us 24/7 for sales and design consultation.
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Ayesha Khubaib
Ayesha has a diverse experience in areas of marketing and management. Over the years, Ayesha has been involved in the packaging sector in various capacities and now aims to share packaging market insights with her readers
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