What Should I Know Before Ordering Custom Furniture?

DIRECT ANSWER:

Before discussing custom furniture, understand where the piece will go, what it must do, what needs to fit inside or around it, approximate dimensions, access into the room and the design characteristics that matter most to you.

START WITH THE PROBLEM.

NOT THE WOOD SPECIES.

Not:

“I think I need walnut.”

Start with:

“I need a dining table for eight that fits this room without blocking the doorway.”

That’s useful information.

MEASURE THE ROOM

Start with approximate:

Wall width

Ceiling height

Available depth

Door locations

Window locations

Floor space

MEASURE WHAT MUST FIT

For storage furniture, measure the actual objects.

For a desk:

Monitor

Computer

Printer

Files

Equipment

For a dining table:

Room

Chairs

Normal seating

Maximum seating

THINK ABOUT ACCESS

A beautiful piece is not useful if it cannot get into the room.

Consider:

Doorways

Hallways

Stairs

Elevators

Corners

SHOW US WHAT YOU LIKE

Reference photos can help communicate:

Proportion

Style

Details

General appearance

They are starting points—not instructions to copy another maker’s protected design.

SHOW US THE ROOM

A photograph of the room can be more useful than a long description.