Buying bespoke furniture in London is part design adventure, part precision project. You’re not just picking a piece: you’re commissioning something that fits your space, style, and life perfectly. This guide walks you through the process from first brief to final sign‑off, so you know what to ask, what’s normal in the capital (permits, lead times, the odd parking saga), and how to get a flawless result without the faff.
Defining Your Brief And Choosing A Maker
Start with clarity. Before you contact a maker, sketch your needs in plain English:
- Function: Wardrobe, media wall, banquette seating, home office, what must it do every day?
- Space: Rough dimensions, awkward corners, radiators, sockets, skirting profiles, and ceiling heights.
- Style: Contemporary slab doors, Shaker, mid‑century, minimalist? Collect 5–10 images you actually like.
- Storage: Hangers vs shelves vs drawers: cable management: appliance housing.
- Budget range: A realistic band (e.g., £4k–£7k for wardrobes) keeps conversations grounded.
Choosing a maker in London usually means deciding between a bespoke joinery studio, an independent cabinetmaker, or a design-and-build firm. Look for:
- Verified portfolios with similar projects, and London properties like yours (Victorian terraces, new‑build flats, lofts).
- Transparent quoting and references.
- In‑house installation (or trusted fitters) and a written warranty.
- Workshop capability: CNC precision, spray finishing, veneer pressing if relevant.
Shortlist two or three, then book consultations. You’re assessing fit, communication style, and whether they “get” your brief. If they ask sharp questions and push back constructively, that’s a good sign.
The Design Phase: Consultations, Surveys, And Visualisations
Expect one or two design meetings (often one on site, one online) to translate your ideas into a workable scheme. This is where bespoke furniture in London starts to feel real, measurements, finishes, and visuals come together.
Site Survey And Measurements
A proper survey is non‑negotiable. Your maker will confirm wall plumb, floor level, skirting and cornice profiles, pipe boxing, and fuse locations. They’ll check stairwells and lift sizes for access. Good teams record tolerances (a few millimetres matter) and plan scribes/infills to achieve that seamless built‑in look in wonky London walls.
Materials And Finishes
You’ll choose a core material (e.g., moisture‑resistant MDF for painted cabinetry, birch plywood for durability, or solid oak/ash/walnut for natural grain) and a finish: spray‑painted lacquer (matt/satin), clear/oiled timber, or real wood veneer. Ask for:
- FSC/PEFC‑certified boards and low‑VOC, water‑based lacquers.
- Edge details, handle profiles, and hardware quality (Blum, Hettich, soft‑close as standard).
- Interior spec: linen‑look melamine, felt‑lined drawers, LED strips with diffusers.
Drawings, Renders, And Revisions
You should receive scale drawings (plans/elevations/sections) and sometimes 3D renders. Expect one to two revision rounds included. Confirm door swing clearances, internal layouts, cable routes, and service access panels. If something feels vague, pause and clarify now, it’s far cheaper to tweak pixels than plywood.
Pricing And Contracts: Quotes, Deposits, And Terms
London pricing reflects labour, workshop time, and finishing quality. A good contract protects both sides and sets expectations on scope and timing.
What A Detailed Quote Should Include
A professional quote typically outlines:
- Design scope and number of revisions
- Materials (core boards, veneers, finishes), hardware brands, and lighting
- Dimensions and module count
- Fabrication method and finish quality (spray booth specs if painted)
- Delivery, installation, protection, and waste removal
- Warranty length and aftercare
- Exclusions (electrical works, plastering, flooring, decorating) and any provisional sums
You’ll also want drawings appended or referenced with a clear revision number.
Payment Schedules And Lead Times
Deposits of 30–50% are standard to book production slots and materials. A common schedule is 50% deposit, 40% on delivery/start of install, 10% upon snag‑free completion. Lead times in London typically run 6–12 weeks from design sign‑off to installation, stretching in peak periods. Painted or veneered finishes, or complex curves, can add a couple of weeks.
Typical Timelines And Cost Ranges In London
These aren’t hard rules, but they’re realistic benchmarks:
- Fitted wardrobes (3–4 doors): £3,500–£8,000+
- Media wall with storage: £4,000–£12,000+
- Home office/library: £6,000–£18,000+
- Bespoke kitchens: £25,000–£80,000+ depending on appliances and stonework
Timeline example: design 1–3 weeks, survey within a week, production 4–8 weeks, installation 1–5 days depending on scale. Flats with restricted access or buildings needing permissions may extend this.
Production: Craft, Timelines, And Quality Control
Once you sign off drawings and finishes, your project moves to the workshop. Good makers keep you in the loop with milestones.
Prototyping And Samples
Expect physical samples: finish swatches sprayed to your spec, veneer lay‑ups, and sometimes a test door or joint. For tricky elements, curved doors, pocket mechanisms, or integrated lighting, a quick mock‑up can de‑risk installation. Approve samples in natural daylight if possible: London flats can throw cool light that shifts perceived colour.
Sustainability And Sourcing
Ask about FSC/PEFC timber, E1/E0 formaldehyde‑rated boards, and water‑based lacquers. Local sourcing cuts transport emissions: off‑cut management and recycling matter too. Many London workshops now track waste and use efficient CNC nesting to minimise scrap. Quality control should include moisture content checks, finish thickness, and a pre‑assembly dry fit before anything leaves the shop.
Preparing For Delivery And Installation In London Homes
Installations in the capital have their quirks, think parking suspensions, lifts, and leasehold rules. A bit of prep saves headaches.
Access, Parking, And Permissions
- Book parking suspensions or visitor permits in advance: some boroughs need 5–10 working days.
- Check lift dimensions and weight limits: confirm service lifts and booking windows.
- For leasehold flats, review your licence to alter. Some managing agents require RAMS (risk assessments/method statements) and specific insurance certificates.
- Congestion and ULEZ charges: clarify who covers them.
Pre-Installation Works And Utilities
- Ensure walls, floors, and ceilings are ready: decorating and plaster drying finished, flooring down, radiators moved if needed.
- Confirm electrical first‑fix for lighting, sockets, and fused spurs. Your maker can coordinate, but spark work is often excluded.
- Clear the space and nearby routes: protect delicate floors before delivery day.
On-Site Assembly And Protection
Expect protective floor coverings, door jamb guards, and dust control. Components arrive flat or in large carcasses depending on access. Fitters will scribe to walls/ceilings, level plinths, and set consistent reveals. Painted items get final touch‑ups post‑fit. Good teams hoover as they go and keep noise within reasonable hours (building rules apply).
Snagging And Sign-Off
You’ll walk through a snag list together: alignment, smooth drawer action, lighting, finish consistency, and sealant lines. Anything noted is remedied promptly. The final payment typically follows snag completion. Request care instructions and any paint/finish reference codes for future touch‑ups.
Aftercare: Maintenance, Warranties, And Future Adjustments
Bespoke furniture in London should be built to last, and maintained sensibly.
- Warranty: 12–24 months is common for workmanship and hardware (some hinges/slides carry longer manufacturer warranties).
- Care: Use gentle cleaners: avoid silicone polishes. For painted pieces, a soft damp cloth: for oiled timber, periodic re‑oiling as advised. Keep humidity stable (ideally 40–60%) to minimise movement.
- Adjustments: Doors may need a quick hinge tweak after a season. Quality makers often include one post‑installation visit.
- Documentation: Keep drawings, colour formulas, and sample offcuts. They’re gold if you ever add matching pieces.