Decorating
Can't Find the Furnishings You Want? It's Time to Go Bespoke
Made-to-measure items can add character and comfort to your home and deliver the perfect style fit
Do you have an odd little space in your home for which you can’t quite find the right piece? Perhaps you have an awkward alcove in which you’ve managed to cram a small wardrobe, but you’re wasting half the space? Or your chimney breast is crying out for an artwork, but you can’t find a painting that suits? If you’ve ever ended up buying something that sort of did the job, only to regret the purchase within a few weeks and replace it with another item, then it might be worth considering going bespoke.
There’s a wealth of talent and expertise in designers and craftspeople across the country, and their support has to come from us, the homeowners. All of the initiatives to buy local produce and support local stores often fail to mention furniture makers, artists and other artisans, so next time you look to one of the big brands, pause and consider supporting your local creative community.
Producing a piece that’s specially made for your home will ensure it meets your specific requirements and can truly reflect your style and personality. Commissioning pieces is getting easier, too, thanks to the increasing demand for unique items, and a growing community of designer-makers who are starting out and can take commissions at more affordable prices.
You can involve an interior designer at any stage to help you in the process, from giving you advice on the design to sourcing quality tradespeople and even completely project managing. If the project is a very simple one and you have a good idea of what you want, then go straight to the maker. If it’s more complicated, then involving an interior designer in the specification process can give you confidence that your design will work in the space.
Bespoke items don’t have to be reserved for odd nooks and crannies, either. Check out this range of things you can get specially designed for your home that you may not have considered.
There’s a wealth of talent and expertise in designers and craftspeople across the country, and their support has to come from us, the homeowners. All of the initiatives to buy local produce and support local stores often fail to mention furniture makers, artists and other artisans, so next time you look to one of the big brands, pause and consider supporting your local creative community.
Producing a piece that’s specially made for your home will ensure it meets your specific requirements and can truly reflect your style and personality. Commissioning pieces is getting easier, too, thanks to the increasing demand for unique items, and a growing community of designer-makers who are starting out and can take commissions at more affordable prices.
You can involve an interior designer at any stage to help you in the process, from giving you advice on the design to sourcing quality tradespeople and even completely project managing. If the project is a very simple one and you have a good idea of what you want, then go straight to the maker. If it’s more complicated, then involving an interior designer in the specification process can give you confidence that your design will work in the space.
Bespoke items don’t have to be reserved for odd nooks and crannies, either. Check out this range of things you can get specially designed for your home that you may not have considered.
Go for statement lighting
A bespoke light fitting will cost a fair amount. If you have the budget for it, pendant lights are a great investment into the structure of the building as they’re permanent fixtures, are very dramatic and could add value when you come to sell.
Bespoke floor lamps and table lamps can move with you, so if you can’t bear the thought of leaving your lights behind, these might be wiser investments.
Consider your materials, and think creatively before you approach a lighting or interior designer. If you have a favourite fabric, you could send a swatch to a lampshade maker, who could turn it into a beautiful shade to sit atop a crafted glass base, for example.
WHO TO APPROACH: Lighting designers, interior designers
A bespoke light fitting will cost a fair amount. If you have the budget for it, pendant lights are a great investment into the structure of the building as they’re permanent fixtures, are very dramatic and could add value when you come to sell.
Bespoke floor lamps and table lamps can move with you, so if you can’t bear the thought of leaving your lights behind, these might be wiser investments.
Consider your materials, and think creatively before you approach a lighting or interior designer. If you have a favourite fabric, you could send a swatch to a lampshade maker, who could turn it into a beautiful shade to sit atop a crafted glass base, for example.
WHO TO APPROACH: Lighting designers, interior designers
Make a bed multi-task
Standard bed frames can be difficult to accommodate in many rooms: they might obstruct something else or be the wrong size for the space. Rather than settling for the best of a bad bunch, think about going the extra mile and commissioning a bed that really maximises the space and gives you everything you need.
You can incorporate side tables, storage space, lighting, a bedhead, a pull-out guest bed or even a TV. Involving a designer in the initial stages will give you access to their expertise, experience and advice, so you can be more confident the bed will work in the room.
To design a bed that not only fits into your room but fills the space appropriately, you will need to provide a craftsperson with photographs and the dimensions of the room. A home visit will probably be required, as one of the issues with designing large pieces is potential access problems. The maker will want to ensure the bed can be successfully delivered and put together in situ.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture designers, interior designers
Standard bed frames can be difficult to accommodate in many rooms: they might obstruct something else or be the wrong size for the space. Rather than settling for the best of a bad bunch, think about going the extra mile and commissioning a bed that really maximises the space and gives you everything you need.
You can incorporate side tables, storage space, lighting, a bedhead, a pull-out guest bed or even a TV. Involving a designer in the initial stages will give you access to their expertise, experience and advice, so you can be more confident the bed will work in the room.
To design a bed that not only fits into your room but fills the space appropriately, you will need to provide a craftsperson with photographs and the dimensions of the room. A home visit will probably be required, as one of the issues with designing large pieces is potential access problems. The maker will want to ensure the bed can be successfully delivered and put together in situ.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture designers, interior designers
Commission a mirror
There’s such range of choice when it comes to mirrors, and it can be frustrating when you find one you absolutely love, but that’s just slightly too small or big for the space. The best thing if this happens is to get one made up to your exact specification. You can even add extra details to make it perfect, such as creating an aged look with a special glass treatment.
There are a number of made-to-measure companies online that will produce the exact dimensions you need and offer a choice of frames. If you’re looking for something more specific, or more detailed, then you’ll need to contact a specialist or designer.
Collect images and roughly sketch your ideas, then present them to an interior designer or approach a company that specialises in glass directly. Chances are they will work with mirrors, too, and be able to cut them to particular sizes and shapes. They should then be able to point you in the direction of a framer.
WHO TO APPROACH: Interior designers, glass companies, framers
How to make your statement mirror work for you
There’s such range of choice when it comes to mirrors, and it can be frustrating when you find one you absolutely love, but that’s just slightly too small or big for the space. The best thing if this happens is to get one made up to your exact specification. You can even add extra details to make it perfect, such as creating an aged look with a special glass treatment.
There are a number of made-to-measure companies online that will produce the exact dimensions you need and offer a choice of frames. If you’re looking for something more specific, or more detailed, then you’ll need to contact a specialist or designer.
Collect images and roughly sketch your ideas, then present them to an interior designer or approach a company that specialises in glass directly. Chances are they will work with mirrors, too, and be able to cut them to particular sizes and shapes. They should then be able to point you in the direction of a framer.
WHO TO APPROACH: Interior designers, glass companies, framers
How to make your statement mirror work for you
Entertain in comfort
If you frequently struggle to fit everyone around your table, consider having one made to exactly the right size. It’s an item of furniture you probably use every day, so it’s not worth putting up with discomfort.
Choose a shape that uses the space to best effect, and material that will work wonders in your scheme. You might even want to go for a large table that can detach into two smaller ones, and consider keeping them in different rooms, to be pulled together when it’s party time.
As a rough guide, for a table to be comfortable, each person needs a minimum of 50cm space, so if you had a rectangular table to seat eight (four on each side), it would need to be 2m long. Remember to tell the maker what sort of dining chairs you will use so the right amount of space can be incorporated into the design.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture designers, interior designers
Learn to be the perfect host
If you frequently struggle to fit everyone around your table, consider having one made to exactly the right size. It’s an item of furniture you probably use every day, so it’s not worth putting up with discomfort.
Choose a shape that uses the space to best effect, and material that will work wonders in your scheme. You might even want to go for a large table that can detach into two smaller ones, and consider keeping them in different rooms, to be pulled together when it’s party time.
As a rough guide, for a table to be comfortable, each person needs a minimum of 50cm space, so if you had a rectangular table to seat eight (four on each side), it would need to be 2m long. Remember to tell the maker what sort of dining chairs you will use so the right amount of space can be incorporated into the design.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture designers, interior designers
Learn to be the perfect host
Vamp up a window
If you fancy making your property stand out as passers-by walk down the street, consider investing in an individually designed window. It’ll add interest to both the interior and exterior of the property.
A landing or hall window that faces onto the road is ideal for this type of treatment. What’s more, you may not even have to put up blinds, as the obscure glass is perfect for privacy.
Having a window designed can be a slightly more complicated process, as you will need to approach a glass designer for the glass and a carpenter for the frame. It might be worth involving an interior designer, who should be able to help you decide on the size, colour and finish, and will have access to reliable tradespeople.
WHO TO APPROACH: Glass designers, carpenters, interior designers
If you fancy making your property stand out as passers-by walk down the street, consider investing in an individually designed window. It’ll add interest to both the interior and exterior of the property.
A landing or hall window that faces onto the road is ideal for this type of treatment. What’s more, you may not even have to put up blinds, as the obscure glass is perfect for privacy.
Having a window designed can be a slightly more complicated process, as you will need to approach a glass designer for the glass and a carpenter for the frame. It might be worth involving an interior designer, who should be able to help you decide on the size, colour and finish, and will have access to reliable tradespeople.
WHO TO APPROACH: Glass designers, carpenters, interior designers
Add a wall mural
Digital printing means any image can be reproduced to any size to fit your wall. Whether you use the whole wall or just part of it, a large print can make for a stunning feature. It’s a chance for you to really inject some of your personality into a room, but remember that it’s a bold feature that’ll stand out, so spend a good amount of time choosing your image and colours. A scene that has some depth of perspective will help a room feel bigger and more spacious.
You can order a mural that fits your room perfectly using an image from an online gallery, or you might choose to have a collage put together from your own collection. Alternatively, you can commission an artist to paint onto a large canvas, or directly onto your wall.
WHO TO APPROACH: Online companies, artists, interior designers
Digital printing means any image can be reproduced to any size to fit your wall. Whether you use the whole wall or just part of it, a large print can make for a stunning feature. It’s a chance for you to really inject some of your personality into a room, but remember that it’s a bold feature that’ll stand out, so spend a good amount of time choosing your image and colours. A scene that has some depth of perspective will help a room feel bigger and more spacious.
You can order a mural that fits your room perfectly using an image from an online gallery, or you might choose to have a collage put together from your own collection. Alternatively, you can commission an artist to paint onto a large canvas, or directly onto your wall.
WHO TO APPROACH: Online companies, artists, interior designers
Enjoy your workspace
Design your desk area so it works for you. The table top can be narrower than standard if space is tight, and your bespoke desk can be specially designed to store your particular equipment and hide any cables you might use. Even the simplest of desks can be beautiful, and if it’s situated in a reception room, it could double up as a display area for art or as a sideboard when you entertain.
Discuss your ideas with a carpenter, who will make and fit your desk using the materials you specify. The procedure for working with a craftsperson is to discuss the design you want in detail. For a fee they will then go away and produce a design. Only once the design is agreed upon will a quote be given. Once accepted, the construction can begin.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture makers, interior designers
Design your desk area so it works for you. The table top can be narrower than standard if space is tight, and your bespoke desk can be specially designed to store your particular equipment and hide any cables you might use. Even the simplest of desks can be beautiful, and if it’s situated in a reception room, it could double up as a display area for art or as a sideboard when you entertain.
Discuss your ideas with a carpenter, who will make and fit your desk using the materials you specify. The procedure for working with a craftsperson is to discuss the design you want in detail. For a fee they will then go away and produce a design. Only once the design is agreed upon will a quote be given. Once accepted, the construction can begin.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpenters, furniture makers, interior designers
Plan in advance
Many people shy away from going bespoke because of the costs, but often the redesign of a property is a once in a lifetime event, so it might be worth spending a little more and getting something really special.
Spend time thinking about what you want and do some research. Rather than just settling for something off the shelf, why not get a few quotes from bespoke manufacturers? A stove manufacturer can be approached to produce or adapt a special stove, a carpenter can craft a beautiful shelf or fire surround, and a sculptor can create a work of art.
Remember to establish a completion and delivery date with your maker, and tie down any uncertainties in the quote. The process can take longer than you might think, so plan well in advance to ensure it all comes together at the right time.
TELL US
Do you have any bespoke items in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
MORE
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Many people shy away from going bespoke because of the costs, but often the redesign of a property is a once in a lifetime event, so it might be worth spending a little more and getting something really special.
Spend time thinking about what you want and do some research. Rather than just settling for something off the shelf, why not get a few quotes from bespoke manufacturers? A stove manufacturer can be approached to produce or adapt a special stove, a carpenter can craft a beautiful shelf or fire surround, and a sculptor can create a work of art.
Remember to establish a completion and delivery date with your maker, and tie down any uncertainties in the quote. The process can take longer than you might think, so plan well in advance to ensure it all comes together at the right time.
TELL US
Do you have any bespoke items in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Decorating With Rugs: From Craft to Art Form
Lighting Got You Confused? Get to Know the Basics
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
It can be difficult to find a rug that fits a room perfectly and shows off all the furniture. If you see a carpet design you love in a carpet shop, ask whether they can cut it to size and bind the edges with a material of your choice to create a rug. While not all retailers will offer this service, many will, so it’s worth checking. This is perfect if you want a large rug on a budget.
If you’re looking for something unique, contact a specialist rug maker and have them draw up and create a specific pattern. This is a more expensive option, but, as demand grows, it’s becoming more affordable.
It’s worth checking with the designer where the rug will actually be made. The organisation GoodWeave is a good place to start – it’s a rug certification scheme with a directory of certified designers, and works to stop child labour.
WHO TO APPROACH: Carpet stores, specialist rug makers, interior designers