‘Queer Eye’ Furniture: Where It’s From and How It’s Paid For
Queer Eye – from heartfelt reveals to emotionally fueled makeovers – is a reboot that satisfies both new viewers and fans of the original alike. The new “Fab Five” will make you cry, laugh, and then cry again…all within the span of a single episode.
Based on Bravo’s original series, running from 2003 to 2007, the show is a modern reboot that offers both socially relevant commentary and needed advice to men who lack grooming efficiency and stylistic prowess.
However, while the show is a joy to watch, many fans have grown curious as to where all the new merchandise comes from and how it’s paid for. In the span of an episode, a nominee’s home often receives a complete interior design makeover. From dressers and armoirs to curtains and nightstands, people know furniture adds up – and with many of the nominees tight on cash – the remodel seems a bit exorbitant.
Let’s calm the major concern first: do the nominees pay? No. The nominees get to keep the furniture and do not spend their own money on it, according to Distractify. So, who does pay? Attend to the product placement.
The furniture most likely comes from IKEA
According to Distractify, fans have reported noting subtle product placement during the show. At the start of each episode, a disclaimer appears in the left-hand corner stating that the show has product placement. According to multiple fans, IKEA definitely accounts for much of this product placement.
Previous IKEA workers have even chimed in to claim that much of the furniture looks like it’s from IKEA. So, if the show is paying for the furniture, they’re not paying an exorbitant amount of money (as we all know IKEA is no Restoration Hardware). IKEA’s mission statement is as follows, according to Strategic Management Insight:
“At IKEA our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”
However, it’s also quite likely that the store provides most of the furniture for free, as the show is virtually promoting the merchandise on Netflix.
The “Fab Five” shop with the nominees’ budgets in mind
While the nominees may not pay for the furniture and clothing received on the episode, many wonder how they are expected to uphold their newfound fashion senses and interior design aesthetics after-the-fact. Because many of the nominees are low on cash, the expectation seems unmanageable.
Luckily, the showrunners tend to purchase from stores within the nominees’ budgets, as this guarantees that the nominees can continue to carry on the lessons they have learned.
The show would be a bit pointless if the nominees only got a few new outfits and a new dresser. What would happen when they needed to buy hangers to live up to the dresser, or a pair of shoes to match the new slacks?
The creators behind ‘Queer Eye’ need to quit the secrecy and reveal the show’s inside workings
While it’s easy to assume that product placement plays a large role, which would indicate that most of the furniture is from IKEA, the conclusions are still speculation (even if they are backed by former IKEA workers).
What does this mean for all the people looking for answers? For now, assume IKEA, and wait to see if the people behind Queer Eye ever reveal more details. As the show continues, and fans keep on pestering, it’s likely that an official answer will be released; however, the creators are likely trying to retain the “magic” of the show.
