Our Custom Furniture Process, Step by Step

Space Measurement and Installation Conditions

Custom furniture begins with measuring the space accurately. Recording the length and height of walls, the ceiling height, and the positions of windows and doors reveals the outline of where the furniture will sit. Walls are not always perfectly straight and floors are not always level, so it is wise to take measurements at several points. Since these records become the baseline for drawing work, leaving simple sketches alongside the numbers is helpful.

Installation conditions should be checked together with the measurements. Confirm whether the furniture can be brought in through the elevator or entrance, and whether stairways and corridors are wide enough. Do not overlook the locations of outlets, pipes, and vents that sit behind or beside the furniture. If floor heating is installed, it affects the space beneath the furniture and the finished height, so check it in advance. These conditions are important enough to change the very structure of the furniture.

During the on-site measurement, it is also important to account for the clearance needed when doors and furniture open at the same time. Depending on which way drawers or hinged doors swing, the walkway can become narrower. If you already have furniture in use, it is a good idea to note its current layout as well. The more complete the measurement data, the simpler the later drawing review will be and the fewer revisions will be needed.

Defining Purpose and Storage Capacity

Once measurements are complete, you need to clarify what the furniture will be used for. The spacing and depth of the shelves change depending on whether you mainly need to store clothing, books, everyday items, or electronics. Items you use often are usually kept at a comfortable reach height, while seasonal items go on upper shelves or in deep compartments. Dividing storage by purpose like this makes it possible to calculate realistic capacity.

When deciding on storage capacity, consider both how much you own now and how much you may add over time. For bulky items such as books or clothing, measuring how high they stack in practice is helpful. The storage area you can actually gain depends on how the doors open, so at this stage we also review whether hinged doors, sliding doors, or open shelving suits the space best. The clearer the purpose, the more defined the furniture depth and compartment layout become.

We also consider how often things are used and how people move through the space. Furniture near the entrance is naturally organized around items needed when going out, while living room furniture is built around everyday household necessities. If several people share the space, listing the storage range each person needs makes adjustments easier. Once purpose and capacity are settled, the direction for the next step, dimensions and material selection, is also set.

• List the types and volume of items to be stored, by category.
• Separate frequently used items from rarely used ones.
• Check the door opening method and the clearance it requires.
• Take into account the possibility of adding more items in the future.
• Record the storage range for each user separately.

Dimensions and Material Selection

Dimensions are set based on the measured values and the intended use. The overall width and height of the furniture should not exceed the space, and should be decided without blocking doors or windows. In general, a minimum gap should be left around the furniture so that a hand can reach in and doors can open. Dimensions are rarely settled in one go; they usually take shape through several rounds of calculation and checking.

Materials are compared based on strength, response to moisture, surface texture, and ease of maintenance. Wood has a warm texture and is easy to work with, but it can warp as humidity changes. Plywood and particleboard hold structure well and are relatively affordable, but edge finishing and load conditions should be carefully reviewed. Surface finishes come in several forms, such as film, paint, and real wood veneer, so choose the one that suits your living environment.

Materials and dimensions affect each other, so it is best to review them together. Even at the same width, a change in panel thickness alters both the internal space and the weight. The longer a shelf becomes, the more reinforcement may be needed to prevent sagging. The confirmed dimensions and material list become the baseline for the next step, drawing review, so it is advisable to document them.

Drawing Review and Revisions

Once the drawings are finalized, revisions are made to settle the final dimensions and layout. Drawing review is not simply about checking appearance; it is about examining how the furniture will actually be used in daily life. It is important to confirm that the door swing, the space drawers need to pull out, and the room to pull out a chair and sit down are accurately reflected in the drawings. Please discuss thoroughly with your designer so that the daily flow and furniture placement are aligned.

Gathering revision requests and submitting them all at once helps keep the schedule and costs clearly under control. For each change, check how the dimensions will shift and how changing materials or finishes will affect the result. Repeated revisions can drift away from the original purpose, so comparing before-and-after differences in a table or with photos is helpful. Before signing off on the final drawings, please double-check that all dimensions and materials match what has been agreed.

Once the drawings are finalised, keep in mind that any later changes may affect production cost and timing. Because the confirmed drawings serve as the baseline for production, the principle is not to alter even small dimensional differences on your own. Setting the approval process and change-recording method in advance can help reduce misunderstandings. The more carefully the drawings are reviewed, the fewer confusions arise during production, so please allow sufficient time for this stage.

Points to check during production

Once production begins, materials are prepared and the main components are machined. At this stage, it is necessary to carry out an interim check that the drawings match the finished parts. It is also important to confirm that the grain, colour and surface texture of the wood or panels match the agreed samples. Materials can warp depending on storage conditions, so it is advisable to consider the environment of the space where the piece will be installed.

During assembly, please look closely at the gaps between doors and drawers, the levelness and plumb, and the positions of hinges and handles. Small gaps or tilts are hard to correct once the piece is finished, so it is better to check during assembly. Please also re-measure whether the top and side panels fit the wall dimensions. Agreeing on interim photos or on-site inspection dates with the maker helps make the checks systematic.

At the finishing stage, it is best to inspect the paint, coating and fabric attachment under light coming from different directions. Colours can appear different from the sample, so please judge with the lighting of the actual installation location in mind. It is also advisable to check the corner finishes and edge treatments by touch. Recording any issues before production is completed can help reduce omissions at handover.

• Check during the process that the dimensions of the drawings and the machined parts match
• Check that the grain and colour of the materials match the agreed samples
• Check the gaps and operation of doors, drawers and hinges during assembly
• Check the paint and corner finishing on visible surfaces under natural light and artificial lighting
• Record any issues with photos and resolve them before handover

Post-installation inspection and aftercare

Once installation is complete, it is best to first check that the furniture is fixed securely to the wall and floor and that it is level. Please also operate the doors and drawers several times to confirm they close naturally and open and shut without resistance. Upper cabinets and display cabinets may become loose depending on the load, so they need particularly careful attention. Right after installation, it is safest to report even minor issues so they can be adjusted.

The basis of aftercare is to inspect regularly according to the conditions of use. Please check periodically that screws and hinges have not loosened and that doors or drawers have not become stiffer than when new. Humidity and direct sunlight can affect wood and finishing materials, so adjusting the installation location is one option. Cleaning methods recommended differ by finish type, so it is advisable to follow the method the maker has provided.

Keeping a simple record of aftercare makes it easier to identify the cause when a problem arises. Please keep the drawings received at purchase, material information and installation date together. If repair is needed, documenting which part is in what condition with photos and sending them to the maker will speed up the response. To keep furniture in use for a long time, it is important to consistently watch for small changes even during everyday use.