For most people, the world’s furniture showrooms contain plenty of variety. Other folks yearn for something better. They want furniture made specifically for a particular place or purpose, and they don’t ever want to see the same thing in someone else’s home. But if you have been wondering how to get custom furniture made, it is not as easy as it sounds. First, because there are not a lot of companies that do it, and second because even among those that do, finding someone who is capable of producing work that is equally distinctive and durable is a big challenge.
Custom Made vs Handmade vs Made-to-Order
The first step in the process of getting custom furniture made is distinguishing between custom-made, handmade and made-to-order.
- Custom-made means the furniture is made to satisfy the customer’s unique specifications.
- Handmade means the furniture is fashioned by hand rather than by machines or on an assembly line. It’s possible for custom-made furniture also to be handmade.
- Made-to-order means the furniture is not necessarily unique, but the manufacturer does not create new pieces until there is an order for them.
Once you are sure it is custom-made furniture you want, then you will need to determine what kind of custom-made furniture you’re after. Here are 3 of the most popular custom furniture options:
Upcycled furniture
Essentially upcycling means taking items originally used for mundane purposes, like milk crates and warehouse pallets, and transforming them into something more aesthetically pleasing, like furniture.
There is little doubt that the hearts of people who create their living room furniture out of old milk crates and cushions rescued from someone’s discarded couch are in the right place. But the results are often more interesting than beautiful. The bottom line is if you are looking for something timeless and elegant, upcycling is not the way to get it.
IKEA hacks
To some people, IKEA furniture is blissfully minimalist. To others, it’s deadly dull. Still, other people look at IKEA furniture and see potential. These enterprising folks use IKEA furniture as a base to build upon. They embellish the frames, add extra padding to the armrests and reupholster the cushions, all in an effort to create new and unique furnishings.
Like upcycled furniture building out IKEA furniture typically yields mixed results. And again, if your goal is to furnish your home with beautiful, completely unique pieces of furniture that will last a lifetime tacking new elements onto an IKEA base is probably not the way to go.
A custom furniture-making shop
This will be the most expensive option, at least in the short term. In the long-term, however, it may be the most cost-effective. Because if you have the artisans at Jerome Shorter create true custom-made furniture for you, it will last many times longer than milk crates or tripped-out IKEA furniture. And let’s be real: it will look and feel many times better as well.
To discuss custom-made furniture options, get in touch with Jerome Shorter today by calling 01892 725304 or emailing jerome@jermoneshorter.co.uk.
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