Things to Consider When Custom Furniture Shopping
As we continue to move further into the age of specialization, consumers of all kinds are finding that they currently have more options than ever before. Many industries — including the furniture building industry — have made an active movement towards customization and creating products that can effectively address their client’s unique set of needs.
Custom furniture shopping can be a very exciting adventure. After all, by choosing to purchase a custom set of furniture, you will have the option to add your personal touch to the things you use on an everyday basis. The custom furniture design process is flexible, accessible, and — contrary to popular belief — surprisingly affordable.
While designing luxury furniture is something that is certainly quite appealing, many people hesitate to do so because they don’t know exactly where to begin. There are many different variables that will need to be accounted and, without a proper understanding of how the design process works, it can be very easy to be misled. However, by taking the time to familiarize yourself with the process, creating the furniture of your dreams may be well within reach.
Before making any financial commitments, you should take the time to consider what you want in a custom furniture designer. In this guide, we will briefly discuss the most important things for you to think about while shopping for custom furniture.
The Benefits of Choosing a Custom Furniture Designer
If you are in the market for furniture, there are a few different options you have to choose from. You could go to a furniture outlet and purchase something that’s already designed, purchase used furniture, or purchase something that is customized to fit your needs. Though the first two options may sometimes be sufficient, there are many different reasons you should consider creating something of your own.
● Customized furniture can be sized to fit the exact space you have to work with
● Colors, patterns, and textures can be designed to blend with an already existing room
● Materials (wood, cloth, etc.) can be kept consistent throughout your home
● Creating specific (unique) designs becomes much more possible
● Custom furniture gives you the satisfaction of incorporating a personal touch
● Including custom furniture may make it easier to sell your home in the future
Custom furniture is likely much more affordable than you might originally assume. However, it is still generally a good idea to compare all of the different options you have available.
Finding a Compatible Furniture Designer
Because so many people hope to have custom furniture designed for their home, there are naturally many different furniture designers available for you to choose from. The design firm that is ideal for one person may not be the firm that is best for another — taking the time to understand the differences between your options will be well worth it once the final product is actually created.
The best custom furniture designers are the ones that will have a proven history of creating quality products while also being able to work within your price range. Custom furniture can range from being incredibly affordable to also being very expensive — you will want to be sure to find a company that understands this spectrum of pricing options and will not force you to purchase furniture that is outside your range of reasonable options. Fortunately, with seemingly countless different customization options to choose from, working within your means is usually quite doable.
Asking Questions along the Way
Currently, there are many different custom furniture builders available for you to choose from. Because the furniture designer that makes the most sense for one person may not be the one that makes the most sense for another, it is very important for you to ask various questions when comparing your options.
● What is your preferred style? Can you show us any samples your previous work?
● What is your strategy for balancing quality with budget constraints?
● How do you typically approach the custom furniture building process?
● What do you believe are the advantages of building custom furniture?
● Why should we choose you to be our custom furniture builder?
Naturally, you should be able to ask any questions that come to mind, but this preliminary list should help you get a better understanding of the organization you are considering working with. Most custom furniture builders take an incredible amount of pride in their work and will happily answer any of the questions that you may have along the way — they will also typically have plenty of useful samples available for you to choose from.
Comparing Different Furniture Styles
Before choosing a final furniture builder, it is important for you to decide the style of furniture that you are hoping to create. Though not every piece of furniture in a given room necessarily needs to be the same style, many interior designers believe that this is one of the best ways for you to establish a consistent theme.
Here are some of the most common styles you can currently find on the furniture market:
● Pennsylvania Dutch: generous use of color, heavy influence from Dutch, German, and American cultures
● Federal: straight lines, symmetry, and bold use of wood
● Victorian: ample ornamentation, dark finishes, ample attention to detail
● Scandinavian: very simple designs, natural use of wood, focus on utilitarianism
● Art deco: creative use of geometry and angles, glass, mirrors, chrome, and other comparable materials
● Rustic: generous use of natural materials, tasteful wear, natural colors
● Casual Luxe: rustic finishes, sophisticated styles, and relatively neutral use of colors
● Modern: developed in the early 1900s, use of steel, leather, and various plastics
If you are considering getting custom furniture built, you should look at samples of each of these styles (plus any others you are interested in) and see which images begin to catch your eye. Certain furniture designers are associated with the use of a very specific style, though there are still some that can create in a variety of different forms.
Other Variables for You to Consider
Once you have taken the time to consider the different styles of furniture available and understand the design process, you can begin to move forward and choose your designer. But before you make any lasting financial commitments, there are still a few important things that will need to be considered.
● When will your first payment be due? Does your prospective designer offer any payment plans?
● Will you be purchasing just one piece of furniture or will you be purchasing multiple? Is it important for these pieces of furniture to match?
● Do you have any personal connections to designers or any references in the industry?
● Do you currently have any other essential home decorating needs?
Clearly, there are plenty of things for you to think about when choosing an interior designer. But by simply taking the time to familiarize with the market, you will certainly be moving in a positive direction.
Conclusion
With each passing year, an increasing number of people make the decision to purchase customized furniture for your home. Currently, there are countless styles and furniture designers available for you to choose from. Though there are many different choices you will need to make along the way, customized furniture is still well within reach.
