Custom Upholstery Vs. Off-The-Shelf Furniture: Which Is Right For Your Home?
When it comes to furnishing your home, choosing between custom upholstery and off-the-shelf furniture can be challenging because both options can significantly affect your home's aesthetics and your long-term satisfaction as a homeowner. Custom furniture is one of the biggest trends in home design right now for a good reason. For one, custom upholstery allows you to tailor everything to your specific preferences — from the dimensions and fabric to the cushion fill and stitching of your sofa and chairs.
Though custom-building tends to cost more and typically requires a longer lead time, you are sure to get the pieces you need to match your preferred style. In most cases, you'll end up getting a one-of-a-kind piece that will be a defining element in your home. For designer Kathy Kuo, CEO and founder of Kathy Kuo Home, everyone should consider getting custom-upholstered furniture. "Spending a little more upfront for a sofa that is fully customized for your lifestyle and needs, and that has the exact color, texture, and size that you want is the best investment in your home decor that you can make," she told Homes and Gardens.
Meanwhile, one cannot deny the allure and practicality of off-the-shelf furniture or those ready-made pieces available at most big-box stores or online retailers. These budget-friendly pieces of furniture can also make a difference in your home despite coming in standard sizes and limited fabric choices. However, you might need to allot time to find the right pieces to fit your room or design vision.
Who should choose custom, and who should go off-the-shelf?
Deciding between custom upholstery and off-the-shelf furniture boils down to your lifestyle, budget, and design goals for your space. If you value personal style and making smart investments for your home, then custom upholstery is the best way to go. This is also the better option if you already have existing furniture you want to upgrade for a new look, or if you are buying a furniture set that you plan to keep for a long time. Custom furniture offers a timeless look — and going this route is also more sustainable due to the use of higher quality materials.
On the other hand, choose off-the-shelf furniture if you are thinking of short-term use or an instant upgrade that saves you time and money, since, aside from being more affordable, ready-made pieces are available for quick delivery. It's the ideal choice for renters, students, and homeowners who are on a tight budget. If you are moving frequently or simply testing out a new style for your living space, ready-made furniture can give you the flexibility you need without paying extra for custom work. Off-the-shelf pieces are also great for spaces inside the house that don't require personalization, like the guest bedrooms or home offices. Ultimately, it's up to whether you want your furniture to reflect your preferred style and personality.