Furniture prices rose during April, as did carpets, while overall inflation decreased.
According to the latest Office for National for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.8% in the 12 months to April 2026, down from 3.3% in the 12 months to March. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.7% in April 2026, compared with a rise of 1.2% in April 2025.
Housing and household services made the largest downward contribution to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates; an upward contribution from a large increase in motor fuel prices was counteracted by downward effects from other categories in the transport division.
For furniture, furnishings and carpets, the combined figure saw prices rise 1.3% in April, compared to its decline of -0.4% the previous month, while from last year, prices were up from its decline of -0.1%. Sectors within the category are detailed below.
Furniture and furnishing prices rose by 0.8%, compared to a decline of -0.8% the previous month, while up from a 0.2% increase compared to the same month last year.
Garden furniture prices fell by -7.4%, compared to a decline of -8.9% on last month, and from a decline of -1.4% compared to last year.
Carpets and other floorcoverings prices increased by 2.7%, compared to a rise of 1.5% the previous month, while up from a decline of -0.2% last year.
Other household textile prices, including furnishings fabrics, curtains and bedding, saw prices rise by 0.8%, compared to its fall of -0.8% the previous month, and from a rise of 0.3% on last year.
Commenting on the inflation figures for April, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “There was a notable fall in annual inflation led by lower electricity and gas prices. This was due to the Government’s energy bill support package reducing variable and fixed tariffs, along with lower global wholesale energy prices before the conflict in the Middle East, which fed through to the reduction in the Ofgem cap.
“Smaller rises in water and sewage bills and Vehicle Excise Duty than seen last year also helped pull the rate down. Food prices, particularly for chocolate and meat products, and the price of package holidays drove inflation down further.
“These were only partially offset by a further increase in petrol and diesel prices, and an uptick in the cost of clothing and footwear.
“The annual cost of both raw materials and goods leaving factories continued to rise, driven again by higher crude oil and petrol prices.”
