A Guide to Buying a Custom Piece of Furniture From a Furniture Maker

Commissioning a bespoke piece allows you to purchase something special. Something you can’t buy from a retailer, something you know is hand-made with care and with sustainable materials, and something you can enjoy for many years to come. And, of course, something that will suit your style and fit your space perfectly!

But how do you go about commissioning the custom wooden table or chest of drawers you've always wanted?

The following are some of the main things we think are important to consider when embarking on this exciting process:

Decide on a Budget

The two important factors to consider here are complexity of the design details and choice of materials. 

More on design considerations in a moment, but overall, the more complicated the design is the more work involved in getting things right at the design stage, the longer it will take to make and the more costly it will be.

The good news is that a commission needn’t be complicated, in fact it can be quite simple in design and still be a wonderful piece. Some of the most enduringly beautiful furniture is very subtle and simple (but brilliant) in its design.

The other factor is choice of materials. Hard or softwood? (yes, we do think softwood can be a great choice for a custom piece). Of course, we all know that in general hardwood is more expensive, but what you’re gaining is increased durability, and its wide variety of grain and colour. 

Even within the hardwoods there is a great variety in cost, depending on species (for example compare ash to oak, and oak to English walnut) and availability at the time. 

A maker will be able to advise on these matters and help you to arrive at a design that fits within your budget.

Style

If you have an idea or design in mind, that’s great - a good maker will be able realise this vision for you. However, if you don't have that initial spark, where to look for inspiration? 

A good place to start is to look around your own home - is there a particular style that is present? Is that style traditional or modern? Contemporary or farmhouse? Or a mixture of both? Do you like minimalist or the lived-in lifestyle look? Is the decor bright and colourful or full of neutral/earthy tones? Do you have any existing pieces of furniture that you like? Of those, what do you like most about them?

Then look through magazines and websites and collect any images of furniture styles that you like and take some photos of the space the piece will eventually occupy

Tip - Here at Slow furniture we particularly like Pinterest for a source of inspiration - and, during the design stage, we encourage our customers to make a mood board to share this with us. 

Size

Size could be the main reason you are seeking to work with an independent furniture maker in the first place - you can't find a piece to fit the space. 

Tip - A maker may already have a piece in their portfolio that you like, which can be customised to fit your space. 

It should also be in proportion to the room in which it will be used. For example, a small table in a large open plan kitchen/diner may look out of place.

Use google to do your research - there are standard sizes for most items of furniture. For example, a table that seats 8 people would need to be sized accordingly so those seated don't feel cramped.

Most of the time getting a tape measure out and taking some measurements will help to make these decisions clearer.

Function

Knowing the intended purpose of the piece is important - get this right and the decisions about design and style will be made much easier.

What will it do? Will it hold something? The size of those items will determine the overall size of the piece. Will the items be on display? 

A table may need to be large so that you can entertain your friends and family, even if there are just two of you who use it regularly. Might it be better to have a table that can extend?

Available space may be an issue. A desk may need to have plenty of storage for files, stationary, paperwork and equipment.

Finally, think about where the piece will go in your home, and who will be interacting with it. Is it intended for private use or is it in a common area, where it will be used by everyone, including visitors? 

Conclusion

In summary, a good maker will be able to guide you through the process, and deliver a fantastic piece that you’ll love. But, doing your own research and thinking the project through will go a long way in making the commissioning process go smoothly, and most importantly one you will enjoy.

We do hope that you choose Slow Furniture to make your bespoke furniture project. Please get in touch if you have an idea in mind.