Bespoke furniture specialists - what you need to know
Sometimes finding your dream piece of furniture can be a challenge, especially if you have something very specific in mind or an awkwardly shaped room. It’s in these instances that a joiner can help make your interior dreams a reality by designing and creating unique, bespoke furniture to fit your specific requirements.
What are the benefits of bespoke furniture versus shop-bought furniture?
Having a skilled specialist create a unique piece of bespoke furniture can sometimes be more expensive than buying ready-made off-the-shelf furniture, but it also has a lot of benefits.
Creative control – you get complete control over how the finished piece looks and functions, by mixing and matching the exact style, materials, colour and size you want.
One of a kind – unlike shop-bought furniture, your bespoke piece will be unique to your individual taste and requirements.
Made to match existing décor – it can be really tricky trying to shop around for furniture that fits in with your existing décor. When you have bespoke furniture made it can be designed to complement what you already have.
Maximise storage/space – it can be made to the exact dimensions of the space you have, leaving no wasted space.
High quality/longevity – it creates a finished product that is more durable and longer lasting than mass-produced furniture.
Things to consider before posting your bespoke furniture job
Purpose
Think carefully about what you plan to use your new piece of furniture for, or what you wish to store in it. Remember, to make it as functional as possible you should be very specific with your requirements. If it’s a wardrobe, don’t make your design generic, think about what needs to go in it and design it with as many shelves or separate compartments as you think you’ll need for your belongings. If it’s a display cabinet, plan what’s going to go on it and design it with these items and their dimensions in mind.
Location
Think about where your new furniture will go. It’s particularly important with anything that’s to be built-in as you won’t be able to move it later. It’s all about making sure it fits the space perfectly, and makes the best use of it. Also, watch out for it being too big – you still want to be able to move past it properly, or open nearby doors fully. A good tradesperson will help you out with this though.
Materials
The materials used to build your furniture will play a big part in its overall appearance, longevity, and how well it fits in with the rest of your interior. Your tradesperson will be able to talk you through the options, for example, pricing differences between solid wood and veneer.
Style
Think about whether you want a contemporary or traditional in style. Make a note of any specific inspiration you’ve seen, or little details like panelled doors, draws, or fluting.
Dimensions
Although your joiner will visit your home to take accurate measurements before making your bespoke furniture, it’s a good idea to measure up as best you can yourself, to help your tradesperson quickly understand the scale of the job.
Something a bit different
It’s being made to measure, so don’t be afraid to ask for features that are personal to you. Create storage spaces for specific items, or a quirky touch that speaks to your personality.
Cost of bespoke furniture
This varies according to the materials used and the size and scope of your project. Simply creating and fitting a shelf could cost as little as £50, but if you’re looking for a large built-in wardrobe or ambitious storage for an entertainment system you could find your job costs as much as £800. The important thing is to give as much detail as you can in your job post, and make sure you agree specific costs up front before work begins. As always, don’t pay significant sums of money before work, or stages of work, are complete.
The qualifications your tradesperson needs
Although there are no specific qualification requirements to become a carpenter or joiner, there are plenty of things you can look out for to judge someone’s professionalism and experience.
Many carpenters and joiners will have completed an NVQ or similar certificate in their field. You can also ask if they are registered with any trade organisations like the Institute of Carpenters, British Woodworking Federation, the Guild of Master Craftsmen or the Federation of Master Builders.
When choosing your tradesperson, it’s always a good idea to look at how long the business has been operating for. Request examples of projects similar to yours that they have completed and read online testimonials and reviews.
Planning permission for bespoke furniture
You don’t need any planning permission for building and fitting bespoke furniture in your home. The only time when there may be issues is if you live in a listed building, in which case you should check with your local planning authority first.
Insurance for bespoke furniture specialists
We expect all reputable tradespeople to be covered by public liability insurance at a minimum and so should you. Public liability insurance is very important when working in your homes as it covers the costs associated with any accidental damage or injury that could arise.
Questions you should ask your bespoke furniture specialist
- Do they have a qualification in their profession?
- Have they undertaken similar work and if so can they show you pictures?
- How long have they been trading?
- Are they registered with any trade organisations?
- What materials will be used and where will they be sourced from?
- Do they have public liability insurance?
Made to match existing décor – it can be really tricky trying to shop around for furniture that fits in with your existing décor. When you have bespoke furniture made it can be designed to complement what you already have.
Cost of bespoke furniture
