Sitting on it, sleeping on it...

Salohcin · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:12

I'm looking around for some new furniture (specifically, a bed and a pair of desks) but IKEA et al don't really provide what I really need.

I thought about commissioning bespoke furniture, but a very short google search revealed makers that charge silly, five-figure prices for small cabinets and coffee tables.

Where is the best place to look for furniture-making that includes quality, innovation and good design but excludes the need for a re-mortgaging of some sort?

Begbie · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:17

Make your own.

howthe · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:19

look for a local independent furniture store, pop in and ask them. they will either know someone or can do it themselves and rarely charge a lot for it.

Try designing it yourself first, including measurements. they will check it over, correct anything and then build it.

This is what I did with a sheesham sideboard downstairs. Cost me a £100 on top of the price of the wood so pretty good deal really

Glaucus · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:21

you need to find a style you like, google images, ebay etc. Once you found the style you like you can google the name and find prices.

orderoftheflame · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:29

Begbie said:
Make your own.

This.

Only way to get exactly what you want.

scorza · 12 Dec 2008 at 19:34

Basically a furniture shop that is more upmarket than IKEA

Seriously, just have a look round your local town centre - there's a Danish furniture store near me that does high quality, modern furniture, obviously it's a lot more expensive than IKEA but you get what you pay for.

Here's their website fyi: http://www.wharfside.co.uk/

MaX_PoWah · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:22

get to "the pier" as soon as you can, they have been put into administration and all of the furniture is 60% off and imo some of its excellent quality, there is one in meadowhall but there are plenty of others around the country

V4NT0M · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:29

Carpenters really aren't all that expensive, especially if you're crazy and want some sort of crazy furniture.

whitecrook · 13 Dec 2008 at 02:35

The problem is furniture these days is designed to be disposable. Buy it cheaply and replace in a few years. Furniture of the past was designed to last longer than a lifetime. Proper joints, no bolts, no screws etc. This takes skill. This is why you have to pay so much for decent furniture, coupled with the smaller demand for such things, as most people don't mind spending a few pound on a kit from ikea.

The solution is:

1) Buy second hand 'antique' furniture. This doesn't have to be old fashioned in style.
2) Pay someone to make a new piece of furniture
3) Make your own.
4) Find a local furniture maker who may have something suitable for a reasonable price. Theres a really excellent place in my local market that do this.