Custom Furniture: 7 Myths to Debunk

Myth 1: Imported furniture is better

There's no need to think that foreign carpenters know some "secret technologies." Usually, custom furniture is based on basic woodworking joints, which are not many and are studied in any appropriate vocational school.

In Ukraine, as well as abroad, furniture production is organized according to the principle of integration. For example, Italy and Spain specialize in design and manufacturing of decorative hardware, high-quality and functional hardware is produced in Germany, excellent lacquer and paint materials are also imported from various European countries, while raw materials, if available, are used of local origin.

Native craftsmen can reproduce what they see with high quality, not only the external appearance but also the structural part. The main difference at present is the approach to design. Complex and beautiful furniture items, which we see from Italian or French designers, are often just a restyling and re-release of existing historical models.

Myth 2: High-quality furniture is only made from natural wood

Natural wood is an excellent material, but when making quality furniture, materials should be selected based on the intended use of the item. In reality, the lifespan of furniture depends more on its construction than on the material it is made from.

A good alternative to natural wood is veneer – either natural or synthetic material in the form of thin sheets. Veneered furniture fronts are manufactured using a special technology of gluing veneer onto particle board or MDF. They imitate the wood of various species and will help save your family budget significantly.

Myth 3: The cost of custom furniture is unjustifiably high

Higher cost of custom furniture is a fact that many forget about. The price of an item includes additional costs for design and engineering work. Administrative and overhead expenses that can be distributed among the development and promotion of a product batch are spread across one item.

Work is often carried out by skilled carpenters, usually generalists, as customers come with the most diverse ideas. Such craftsmen cost much more than operators of mass production lines.

Don't forget that managing an order requires more managerial resources than retail sales. Moreover, non-standard items force manufacturers to purchase a wide variety of components from different suppliers, and as a result, savings on wholesale purchases are not possible.

Myth 4: Custom furniture will differ from the sketch

How closely the result matches the original sketch depends largely on the customer. The first important factor is having a well-developed and detailed sketch. The more information it contains about the details, the closer the furniture will be to expectations.

The second factor is a realistic assessment of whether the budget matches the sketch or photo. Often, buyers come to the workshop with images of luxurious interiors from glossy magazines but with limited budgets. Discuss in advance with the manufacturer what quality of items you will get for the money you're ready to pay.

Another good idea is to include in the contract the obligation of the manufacturer to confirm samples – this is a standard operation in any civilized company. Also, periodically visit the production site for monitoring intermediate results – this will help you get the desired outcome.

Myth 5: Custom furniture takes too long to make

Custom furniture is not made significantly longer than what's already in the store. Items on display have been designed, engineered, and brought to market over several years, but in the store, that time is not felt. The project was completed, engineering work done, manufacturing technology developed, and a production line created.

When making custom furniture, these steps are also unavoidable, although simplified. Sometimes, ordered furniture requires additional subcontractors for work with metal, glass, or stone, or procurement of hardware with longer delivery times – this also objectively increases the order execution time.

Customers often also influence the increase in delivery times without realizing it, when they don't follow the financing schedule, fail to approve samples on time, or make changes to the original sketch at various stages of production.

Myth 6: Workshops and factories do not deserve trust, unlike branded stores

A brand always attracts people and creates a sense of reliability, but well-known branded factories may not be suitable for you, because they won't take on producing just a few items, even expensive ones. The same situation exists with smaller-scale productions – you need to research who is in front of you.

Read reviews and ask for a factory tour (something they definitely won't offer in a store). It's better to choose enterprises with at least 3–5 years of experience. Many modern workshops, even small ones, are featured in glossy magazines. Most tenants in furniture centers can’t boast of this.

Workshops often don't have a showroom or representative office, yet large trading floors and manager-filled offices don’t always guarantee reliability and quality.

Myth 7: Production has poor customer service and no delivery

Production does have customer service, just not the same as in a salon or store. There’s likely no call center with operators, but there will be a phone number of the person in charge of your order who is ready to answer all questions at any time.

Also, all advanced workshops have already set up Instagram accounts and are ready to communicate through messengers. Another service unavailable in stores – meeting at a convenient place for discussing your order, such as a cafe. Moreover, you get the opportunity to control the execution of the order and periodically visit the workshop (just not too often) – to see how things are progressing.

Manufacturers often have their own cargo vehicles: delivery directly to the apartment and installation by reputable organizations are usually self-evident bonuses. Remember that small and medium-sized enterprises are closer to the customer and more human, unlike chains. Their future orders often depend on this.