How to Commission Bespoke Furniture in London

Commissioning a piece of furniture is different from buying one. There is no shopping basket, no next-day delivery, and no returns policy. Instead there is a conversation that becomes a sketch that becomes a piece of furniture made for one specific room. This guide covers the process, the timeline, what to prepare before your first conversation, and what things typically cost.

Before you start

You do not need a finished design. Most commissions begin with nothing more than a feeling about what a room needs. But a few things are useful to have ready:

• Room dimensions. The length, width, and ceiling height of the room. If the piece needs to fit a specific alcove, window bay, or wall section, measure that too.
• Access dimensions. The narrowest doorway, stairwell, or corridor the piece will need to pass through on delivery day. This determines maximum dimensions and sometimes requires a piece to be designed for partial assembly on site.
• Reference images. Photos of furniture you admire, screenshots from design magazines, Pinterest boards. You do not need to know exactly what you want, but visual references help the maker understand your taste.
• A rough budget. Bespoke furniture costs more than retail. Knowing roughly what you are prepared to spend allows the maker to suggest designs and materials that fit, rather than presenting a quote that shocks.

The process

Most London furniture makers follow a similar process. The steps below describe ours, but the sequence is fairly standard across the industry.

1. First conversation. Usually an email followed by a phone call or workshop visit. The goal is to understand the room, the brief, and the budget. Takes 30 to 60 minutes. No fee.
2. Sketches and quote. Within about a week, the maker produces initial sketches and a written quote. The quote covers materials, build time, and total cost including delivery.
3. Deposit and materials. A deposit (typically 50%) secures the build slot. Fabric and material choices are finalised. Swatches are provided for upholstered pieces.
4. Build. The piece is built in the workshop over four to twelve weeks depending on complexity. Progress photos are shared by email.
5. Delivery. The workshop delivers and positions the piece. Balance payment on delivery.

Cost expectations

Bespoke furniture in London typically costs 2 to 5 times what a comparable retail piece would cost. That premium pays for individual design, hand construction, quality materials, and a piece that fits your room exactly. Some indicative ranges:

• Upholstered dining chair: £400 to £800 each
• Upholstered armchair: £1,100 to £2,500
• Two-seat sofa: £3,200 to £6,000
• Three-seat sofa: £4,500 to £8,000
• Bed frame (upholstered): £1,800 to £4,000
• Bench or ottoman: £380 to £1,200

These ranges cover the piece itself including delivery within London. Fabric costs are included in most quotes but premium fabrics (certain linens, velvets, and imported textiles) may add 10 to 20% to the total.

How to find the right maker

• Visit workshops. A maker who invites you to see the workshop is usually one who is proud of their process.
• Ask to see past work. Not photographs, the actual pieces if possible. Sit on a sofa they made. Feel the weight of a chair.
• Ask about the frame. The frame is hidden once upholstered, but it determines how long the piece lasts. Hardwood frames with traditional joinery last decades. Softwood frames with stapled joints do not.
• Get a written quote. Not a verbal estimate. A written quote with materials, dimensions, timeline, and total cost.

Start a commission with us

Email [email protected] with a sentence or two about the piece you are considering. Read more about our design process or browse the range for inspiration.