Custom

Custom furniture: how it works, what you can change and what it costs

By the Blankspace design teamUpdated October 21, 20264 min read

The short answer

Custom furniture is built to order after you choose its specifications: usually the size, configuration, fabric or leather, cushion fill, legs and finish. Made-to-order pieces start from an existing design and let you change those options; fully bespoke pieces are designed from scratch. Expect to pay more than for stock furniture and to wait several weeks to a few months, depending on the maker.

Remember

Custom means the piece is built after you order it, to your specifications.
Made-to-order adapts an existing design; bespoke designs a new one from scratch.
The most common options are size, configuration, covering, cushion fill, legs and finish.
Lead times typically run from several weeks to a few months; ask for a confirmed date.
Measure the room and the whole delivery route before you order: custom pieces are often non-returnable.

Contents

What "custom furniture" actually means

Custom furniture is made after you order it, to the specifications you choose, rather than pulled from a warehouse. The term covers a spectrum, and it is worth knowing where a maker sits on it before you buy.

Type	What you choose	Typical use
Configurable (made to order)	Size or module count, covering, finish, sometimes legs and fill, from a fixed design	Most sofas, sectionals, beds and chairs sold as "custom"
Semi-custom	Configurable options plus specific dimension changes within limits	Awkward rooms, unusual seat depths
Bespoke	A new design drawn for you, often with a designer or maker	One-off pieces, built-ins, unusual shapes

What you can usually customize

Size: width, and on some models depth and height, or the number of modules in a sectional.
Configuration: sofa, loveseat, chaise, corner, U-shape, left- or right-arm facing.
Covering: fabric or leather, colour, and grade.
Comfort: cushion fill (foam, foam with fibre or down wrap) and seat depth.
Details: arm style, legs or plinth, stitching, piping, and finish of wood or metal.
Function: power recline, sleeper mechanisms, storage, or charging, where the design allows.

On Blankspace you can do this yourself in the sofa configurator or with an advisor through the interior design service.

Borgo by Blankspace — Shown: Borgo, Blankspace Italia, from $3,890.

How the process works, step by step

Measure the room, and every doorway, stair turn, hallway and elevator on the way in.
Choose the design and configuration that fits the room plan.
Pick the covering; order physical swatches, because colour on screen is approximate.
Confirm the specification: dimensions, covering code, finish, fill, and the lead time in writing.
Pay the deposit; production usually starts only after this.
Schedule delivery once the piece is ready, and be present to inspect it.

How much custom furniture costs

Prices vary widely with size, materials and maker, so treat these as broad ranges for upholstered pieces in the US rather than quotes. Leather, larger sectionals, power motion and premium fabrics all push a piece toward the top of its range.

Piece	Typical custom range (USD)
Accent chair	$800, $4,000+
Three-seat sofa	$2,000, $10,000+
Sectional	$3,500, $15,000+
Upholstered bed	$1,500, $7,000+
Dining table	$1,500, $8,000+

For reference, Blankspace sofas start from $2,290 for the Piazza and $3,890 for the compact Borgo.

Lead times

Because a custom piece is built after you order, it takes longer than stock furniture. Several weeks to a few months is typical; complex, leather or bespoke pieces take longer, and some makers offer quick-ship programmes on fixed specifications. Always ask for the expected date in writing before paying, and plan big moves, renovations and holidays around it.

How to avoid the expensive mistakes

Measure the delivery route, not just the room: a sofa that cannot get in is the most common custom-furniture problem.
Order swatches and look at them in your own light, morning and evening.
Sit on the model or a close equivalent if you can; seat depth and fill change comfort more than anything else.
Check the return and cancellation terms: custom pieces are usually not returnable.
Get the specification and lead time in writing.

Questions people ask

Is custom furniture worth it?

Custom furniture is usually worth it when stock sizes do not fit your room, when you want a specific covering or colour, or when you plan to keep the piece for many years. It costs more and takes longer than stock furniture, so for a temporary home a ready-made piece is often the better value.

How long does custom furniture take?

Custom furniture typically takes several weeks to a few months, because the piece is built after you order. Leather, large sectionals and bespoke designs take longer. Ask the maker for a confirmed lead time in writing before you pay the deposit.

What is the difference between custom and bespoke furniture?

Custom usually means made to order: you choose the size, configuration, covering and finish of an existing design. Bespoke means a piece designed from scratch for you. Most furniture sold as custom is made to order; bespoke is rarer and more expensive.

Can I return custom furniture?

Usually not. Because a custom piece is built to your specification, most makers do not accept returns except for defects. Read the terms before ordering, and measure the room and delivery route carefully.

How much does a custom sofa cost?

A custom three-seat sofa typically costs about $2,000 to $10,000 or more in the US, depending on size, frame, fill, covering and maker. Leather and large sectionals sit at the top of the range.