Custom furniture can give your home a unique look, tailored to your design, personality, and needs of your family. Although it typically costs more than non-custom furniture, the overall quality and customization can make it worth the cost.
There are a few things to be careful of, though, when it comes to purchasing custom furniture. Not only do you want it to fit well within your space and design, but you also need it to be the perfect fit for your family. Consider the following tips once you’re ready to make the exciting move to custom furniture.
Double Check Dimensions
If you’re not careful about measuring the dimensions you need for your custom furniture, you run the risk of overpowering your space with oversized furniture. Especially in small living spaces, furniture that is too big for the space can create a cluttered and cramped atmosphere.
Draw a diagram of the room you’re working with. Measure the room so you can get the proper dimensions, and draw out where you’d like, and need, your furniture. Using a scaled system, in inches or centimeters, you can get a rough idea of how big your custom sofa or table can be.
Then, use a measuring tape to see how that furniture will fit in the space, and adjust your length, width, or height, if necessary.
Test Out Samples
Before you order your custom furniture, you should be able to test some samples of materials and furniture designs. Choose a store with samples available, so you can test out the furniture materials you want to use. This is especially helpful with certain fabrics you love, but may find to be too scratchy or easily worn.
Make sure you ask plenty of questions about materials if you aren’t knowledgeable about them. Some fabrics, for example, may not stand up to heavy use or excessive pet hair. They also may be tough to clean if they get dirty. If you have kids or pets, these materials may not be the best option for you.
Tie It Into Your Design
Just because you love a custom piece of furniture, doesn’t mean it will work best with your room’s design. Vintage dining chairs, for example, usually don’t work with a modern kitchen and dining room design.
Try to tie in your custom furniture designs with your overall room design. Talk to your furniture maker, and be prepared to show him photos of your design. This way, he can get a better idea of exactly what you’re looking for, and can help point you in the right direction.
Once your furniture is made, you may even want to look at custom throw pillow ideas or carpets to tie everything together, and create an even more unique look for your room.
Don’t Buy for the Price
Of course, sticking to a budget is important when buying custom furniture. But, if you buy on price alone, you may be less than satisfied with the overall quality of your furniture. If you’re buying custom furniture, you should expect to pay more, on average, than mass-manufactured furniture, and allow for some wiggle room in your budget.
Always think about your family’s needs first, rather than buying custom furniture based on price. If you have kids or pets, for example, you’ll want high-quality materials that won’t be toxic to your family. This may mean you spend a little more, but when it comes to your family’s safety, the cost is well-worth the quality materials.
