We chatted to the team at Buywood Furniture to get the low-down on what you should take into account when purchasing a custom dining set
1. Size and shape
The beauty of custom furniture is that you can have the exact size and shape that suits your dining area. Extension tables have become increasingly popular in inner-city apartments, allowing you to minimise the table footprint when it’s just your family at home, but also to easily extend the table for those special occasions.
2. How will the dining table be used?
This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s important to consider whether the table will double up for office or homework, for example, or if it will be just for dining and special occasions. Different finishes and timbers react differently to wear and tear. You can either go for something tough as boots such as recycled blackbutt or something elegant such as walnut. Also, the time to maintain the furniture needs to be considered.
3. Matching existing furniture
Having a custom dining set manufactured allows you to match it to other timber furniture you may already have in the home. Alternatively, you may want to have contrasting or eclectic styles. You can also gradually add to your collection over time. Start with tables and chairs and then the following year, you can add a coffee table and credenza, for example, in the same style and timber.
4. Chair considerations
Most people when considering dining chairs instantly think about the style and the type and colour of coverings they want. However, a key consideration should always be comfort. One of the advantages when designing custom furniture is that the backrest can be specifically created to give you better support and the seating can be designed with your preferences in mind. Those long dinner parties no longer need to be torture on the back and derrière!
5. Cost of ownership
While choosing a custom option will generally cost more up front, the total cost of ownership will be cheaper in the long term. Your quality custom table will last years and may even be handed down through generations. It will not end up in the rubbish tip like most mass-produced tables do these days.
Originally in Home Design Volume 20 Issue 3
