You have been staring at that empty wall inside your front door for years now. You’ve looked at entry tables everywhere, but the same problems keep coming up. Some just aren’t the right look, and the ones that are close are out of your price range. After seeing a beautifully made table at a friend’s house, you learn that they worked with custom furniture makers to create a unique piece, perfectly suited to their specifications.
You’re thinking this might be the way for you to get the exact entry table you’ve been wanting, but before you meet with anyone, these custom furniture makers serving Palestine, TX want you to know a few things that will help make your initial consultation as effective as possible.
Know How the Piece Will Be Used
It’s important to have a vision for how the piece will be utilized in the home. Think about that entry table: Is it going to be simply decorative? Will it be a catch-all for items whenever anyone comes home? Will it need to have storage—either shelves or drawers—underneath the table?
Ask these types of questions for any piece of furniture you’re looking to design. For a dining table, how many people will be sitting at it regularly? Does it need to have the option for an expandable leaf? Do you need chairs and/or benches to go with it? For a nightstand, do you need just one or a set of two (or more!)? Will it need drawers, and if so, how many?
These may seem like obvious questions, but customers sometimes hop over the utility of the piece and go straight to how it’s going to look. Don’t skip this step, as it is absolutely critical to share with your custom furniture makers during your initial consultation so they can get an idea of the scope of the piece and help you guide the stylistic choices you’ll need to make.
It’s also important to discuss who will be using the piece. A piece that will be getting heavy, daily use by the whole family, including children might be constructed differently than a decorative piece sitting in room where children don’t go.
Have Some Ideas on Style
Once you have a solid idea of how the piece will function, it’s important to consider what you want it to look like. Chances are, if you are seeking a custom piece, you have already put quite a bit of thought into the appearance. If you haven’t, and you think you’ll just “know it when you see it” or that the craftsperson will show you something during your consultation that will give you the answer, back up and spend some time on this.
For one thing, custom furniture makers can typically use a variety of woods, and they will want your input on what wood they choose for your piece. They may have some suggestions based on the function of the piece, but the final decision will ultimately come down to you. You should also have some ideas on color and style, and it may help for you to have some photos or examples ready to show the craftsperson so they can visualize more clearly what you’re wanting to create. If the custom furniture makers you’re meeting with have a portfolio, check it out so you can find examples in their completed work that may be close to elements you want included in your piece.
Finally, you need to know the size you want the piece to be. If your consultation is taking place in your home, the custom furniture makers you’re working with will likely take measurements of the space where the piece will live. The size of the room will help guide your decision on size, but there could be other factors as well—you might move in the future or pass the piece down to future generations. You can’t predict the future, but if you know you’re not in your forever home, use some caution and seek advice from the craftsperson.
Know Your Investment Level
So, you’ve made the decision to have a piece custom built for you, and you’re ready to talk bout function and style. Now, it’s important to think about how much you are willing to spend on it. When you think of this purchase in terms of an investment as opposed to a budgetary constraint, you will come up with a more honest answer and probably a more flexible one.
Custom work usually does cost more than buying something that is mass produced, but by sharing with your craftsperson what you’re willing to spend—what you believe this piece will be worth to you—you may find that you have it in you to invest a little more in the project than you would have been willing to spend at a furniture store. Remember: Custom furniture is built to last, and this piece will likely outlive you. Also remember that you are investing in the entire experience, which includes being an active participant in the design and construction phases.
Whether you think your investment level is a little or a lot, share it honestly with the custom furniture makers you’re working with. They will be able to set realistic expectations for you, and they will do what they can to create the best possible piece for you that fits within your financial goals.
Your initial consultation with custom furniture makers is a time to let ideas flow and start bringing your vision to life. The more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have during the conversation. Plus, you’ll leave the consultation with a very clear picture of what the process will look like going forward, and you could be well on your way to having that new entry table (or any other custom piece)—one that you absolutely love!
