If you ask people to tell apart a mass-produced item and a handcrafted work of the same kind, chances are they can quite easily make the distinction at a glance, without necessarily perceiving the details. Next time you find yourself shopping for new furniture, consider having a bespoke piece crafted instead. You, and anybody visiting your house, will immediately notice the difference – here’s what sets custom-made furniture apart.
Fine-tune the look
Some people associate the word ‘bespoke’ with ‘fancy’ – and when you give a layman control over design, it’s certainly possible that things could get carried a bit too far. But bespoke means made to order, and when done right, it gives you full control over the look of a piece without going overboard.
Suppose you already own a set of luxury noir furniture with a unique look but would like to add more pieces. Perhaps you need an extra chair for frequent guests or a footstool for comfort. Rather than going around hunting for standalone pieces for sale, you can work with a specialist artisan in the UK and buy an ottoman or chair from them, made of matching materials and in the same style.
Invest in quality
Mass-produced furniture doesn’t always align with your needs, especially in the long term. Even the more expensive items can cut corners in some aspects of the design or craftsmanship. This is a shortcoming that’s inherent in the system; companies market their products to fit a generalised need so that manufacturers can build ahead of time. But what if this ideal customer’s needs don’t match yours?
If you own a historic or well-preserved home in London or the countryside, then you probably prefer that materials of the highest quality be used wherever possible with the long term appeal in mind. Materials such as leather can develop a distinctive patina, and wood such as cherry or oak can darken beautifully over time.
Express yourself
There’s an element of self-expression involved whenever it comes to choosing the aesthetic of your home. Most people are satisfied with the options they find at stores selling mass-produced items. And you can certainly make things work from a limited selection, especially if you’re on a budget.
But when you can afford to spend more, not only does bespoke furniture assure you of better quality materials, it lets you give free rein to your inner designer. A creative vision doesn’t need to be held back by stock options; you can flesh out your design and let the craftsman take care of the rest.
Unique craftsmanship
You don’t have to be an art collector to appreciate the value of an individually crafted piece of furniture. Well-made pieces are customised according to your specifications and brought to life through the skills and experience of seasoned craftsmen. Even less ambitious or ornate designs will still be work of unique craftsmanship which bring intangible value to your home for a lifetime of use.
Handcrafted products are always going to be more expensive than the output of mass production. But with the ability to fit into any given aesthetic, make use of only the best materials, and create unique beauty from the dovetailing of a customer’s design and a craftsman’s skill, you’ll find each piece to be well worth the investment over time.
