Why Custom Furniture Is The Biggest Trend You Can't Ignore Right Now

Long ago, all furniture pieces were hand-crafted by well-trained artisans. Then, mass production meant homeowners could access the pieces they needed much quicker and cheaper than ever before. But after years of the same-old cheaply made furniture, designers are seeing an uptick in hand-made, custom pieces that instantly elevate interiors.

If the word "custom" immediately has you seeing dollar signs, you'll be happy to know it's not as expensive (or time-consuming) as you'd think. Current technology makes it quicker and easier than ever to produce parts for custom pieces, and items can be shipped directly to your home. It's like mixing the quality of organic farmer's market fare with the convenience of fast food. 

Custom furniture is the biggest trend you can't ignore right now because unique, sustainable furniture — as opposed to mass-produced, identical pieces — will be sought after in years to come. There are many benefits to custom furniture. Although it may cost a little more upfront, the longevity of a well-made piece could end up saving you money in the long run, and even set your descendants up for success. A custom piece made by an actual carpenter will last a lot longer than anything you hobble together with an Allen wrench, and you are less likely to grow tired of something made specifically for your taste. It's better to pay a little more once for something perfect and long-lasting, than twice for something that doesn't look quite right and breaks quickly. 

In the past, you had to source one-of-a-kind fabric from a high-end store, then have an upholsterer make a house call just to recover a chair. Now, you can order a chair with your preferred fabric directly from a chain store, many of which now offer an ever-expanding list of customization options, such as fabric color/pattern, chair size, style, and type of wood. You could order the same chair as your neighbor, and the odds are they will look completely different. Stores like Etsy can take customization a step further and personalize your products with a monogram, favorite saying, or even a picture of your dog. There's also been a rise in sustainable furniture brands that specialize in unique, hand-crafted furniture that you can purchase online and ship to your home (without the added guilt). 

If you prefer to skip online stores and big-box brand furniture altogether, finding a skilled craftsperson in your area is as simple as performing a Google search. You may think highly trained woodworkers, upholsterers, and welders would be hard to find; however, these trades are experiencing a current boost, and the number of craftspeople is expected to rise significantly over the next few years. Sites like Angie's List and Yelp can help you find an experienced tradesperson in your area for a good price.