3 Major Misconceptions About Custom Design
I’m busting a few common myths about customization.
In the past, I’ve shared my thoughts about custom design, including when and where it makes the most sense, and what the process looks like. However, I realize this is a big topic, and there’s more I want to say. When I first broach the subject of customization to my clients, they are intrigued, but I often hear the same hesitations. While their concerns are grounded in some truth, I’ve realized there are some common misconceptions. Here are a few ideas I’d like to debunk:
Myth #1: Customization = Super Expensive
Creating a custom piece of furniture or lighting is never going to be a budget option, but it’s not always as cost-prohibitive as you might think. Sometimes, we can save money by going with an up-and-coming vendor or by taking a piece we love and scaling it down to best fit the room. We can also play around with fabrics and materials because these choices can influence the final product and cost quite a bit. Customization gives us the ability to take something as a starting point and then change it to create something totally one-of-a-kind. The final result is something completely unique that checks every box for our clients and design vision. It’s not inexpensive, but don’t rule it out because of cost.
Myth #2: It’s Going to Take Forever
The timeline for creating something custom depends a lot on the piece, but where large dealers have hard lead times, many of our local vendors can be more flexible when it comes to turnaround. An interesting side effect to our current climate is that many smaller businesses are able to move even more nimbly! During the pandemic, they’ve been able to keep up production because they’re less dependent on overseas shipments and stock issues than bigger companies. Custom certainly doesn’t mean super quick, but depending on what we’d like created, it might actually be faster than some other options.
Myth #3: You Won’t Know What You’re Getting
When we can’t send you a link or show you an exact picture of a product, you might think what you’ll be receiving will be a mystery. Luckily, that’s just not true! We’ve found that through sketches and material samples, we are able to really give our clients a solid idea of what’s possible. Through tools and conversations, we can create something that’s personalized for your space and lifestyle. Our vendors often send progress shots, so we can make sure our vision is coming to fruition. With upholstery, you may even be able to sit in samples to feel the seat depth and arm height. Yes, some if it’s a leap of faith, but we promise you won’t be going in blind.
Customization is the ultimate creative vision when it comes to interior design. By working together and with our talented craftspeople, we can create something that hits all your needs for functionality and is the exact color, fabric, and finish of your dreams. For your next project, let’s discuss how we can bring your idea to life!
Until next time,
