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Writer's pictureAmy Fregosi Salazar

6 Essential Steps to Understand Your Custom Sofa or Chair Order



Having designed custom sofas and chairs, I can confidently say they are handmade with the highest-quality construction, craftsmanship, and materials. These pieces are a premium investment, tailored to fit your space, body, and aesthetic—all with comfort as the priority.


Step 1: Commit to Custom Furnishings

Bench-made furniture is crafted using hand-selected, milled wood that is sanded and shaped to exact design specifications. It features superior materials and is highly customizable for the unique qualities of the space. In contrast, assembly-line sofas are uniform, readily available, and affordable for the masses, yet they must be selected to fit the space.



Step 2: Select a Quality Frame

Wood-framed furniture is built using kiln-dried hardwood, ensuring structural soundness. Proper joinery, such as glued and doweled joints with blocked corners that are sometimes screwed, adds strength and durability. However, assembled furniture often uses lower-density softwoods, plywood, or particleboard for frames, which can lack structural integrity and may sag over time. 



Step 3: Decide on the Suspension System

The suspension system consists of a set of springs located beneath the black fabric. They are held in by either sinuous springs (zig-zagging metal rows), pocket coils (individually wrapped like in a mattress), or true 8-way hand-tied springs (tied by hand). 


The gold standard and the most labor-intensive option is the 8-way hand-tied suspension system. It is secured with twine at eight different points to prevent the springs from shifting or squeaking, ensuring years of durability and support.



Step 4: Choose a Durable and Comfortable Cushion Core

There are four types of seat cushions: down blend or full down, innerspring, foam, and memory foam. High-quality resiliency foam is crucial for durability and comfort across all cushions. Down cushions offer a softer seat and can be fluffed and refilled while surrounding a foam core. Innerspring cushions contain resilient, individually pocketed coils wrapped with foam. Foam cushions provide a denser seating option, while memory foam cushions feature a memory foam core wrapped with additional foam or fiber.



Step 5: Focus on the Ideal Fabric Type

Upholstery fabric is typically heavier and thicker, with options available in natural materials such as leather, cotton, rayon, linen, silk, and wool. There are also synthetic options, including polyester, viscose, blends, and solution-dyed acrylic. The fabric choice depends on various factors, including the intended use (heavy or light), the presence of pets or children, light exposure, the room's style, comfort, quality, color, pattern, and durability.



Step 6: Determine the Final Details

When designing your custom sofa or chair, the details matter. Finishes such as the feet (color, size, and shape), nail heads, welting, decorative cushions, piping, seams, and carved accents define each piece's style and uniqueness.


Personalized attention to these details ensures that your bespoke furniture achieves a cohesive and polished look. Let’s talk about how we can transform your house into a home that reflects your personality and aspirations.


Are you ready for a custom chair or sofa that will deepen your love for your home? We're here to help! Contact us to book your consultation.

Cheers,

Amy

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