Defining Value to Understand Custom Furniture | What is the Real Price?

Are you nervous, or even scared off by the prospect of commissioning custom furniture?

Have you heard that the prices are higher than what you can find in a store or from a mass producer?

A way to reframe the discussion about artisan products, whether handmade furniture, loaf of bread, or silk screened shirt, is to think in terms of value. Value that you experience everyday.

Commonly people equate value with price. The lower the price the better the value.

But value is really a ratio of two things.

In commerce those two things are typically purchase and a more subjective variable such as joy, utility, comfort, etc. Or it could be time spent driving to stores or scrolling online shops.

Let’s say there are two desks for sale, one at the store for $1000 and a custom made version for $3000. Both desks are the same size.

The store desk has a single drawer. The materials seem solid. It’s unclear what kind of wood makes up the desk and the finish feels meh. It has an odor, presumably from off-gassing of chemicals in the finish or in the construction materials themselves. Overall, though, it would perform the job of a desk.

The custom desk has three drawers made specifically to fit what the client wants to store in them. It also has a cord management system to route and hide cords from the computer, chargers and such. There is an integrated pop-up electric outlet for additional power when needed. The fit and finish are superb. The wood species and details of the finish are understood.

Which one has more value?

The answer, much like quality (see the blog post Custom Furniture | What is Quality), depends on your frame of reference.

If your interest is purely utilitarian and price is your main driver, then you probably value the store bought desk more. In this case, a custom desk is probably not for you. And that’s ok. This is not about judging, but about getting things right.

If the additional attributes of the bespoke desk bring happiness, a sense of order, or an elevated lifestyle, then the effort of a desk designed and built for you is worth the conversation.