How to Source Custom Solid Wood Furniture for Your Design Clients

Interior designers juggle dozens of sourcing decisions on any given project. And when it comes to custom furniture, there’s often a gap between vision and execution. This guide helps streamline that process by walking you through everything you need to know about sourcing handcrafted, solid wood furniture, so you can deliver pieces that are both stunning and functional for your clients.

Why Custom Furniture Matters in Design Projects

Custom furniture offers designers complete control over form, finish, and function. Rather than adapting a room around a mass-produced piece, designers can create a tailored look that fits the space and the client perfectly. With solid wood pieces, you also gain the benefit of durability, long-term value, and timeless aesthetics.

Understand the Customization Process

Before placing an order, it’s important to understand how the customization process works. Most custom workshops will walk you through:

• Style selection: Choose from base designs like dining tables, bed frames, or shelving units

• Wood type: Options may include maple, oak, walnut, and more

• Finish selection: Choose the tone and texture to complement your design palette

• Sizing: Specify exact dimensions based on room scale and use case

• Add-ons: Think storage options or specialty legs

Having a clear vision and communicating those needs upfront will simplify production timelines and reduce revisions.

Choose the Right Wood Type for the Project

Each hardwood option offers its own look, feel, and durability profile. Here are a few of the most common choices:

• White Oak: Clean grain pattern, great for modern and transitional spaces

• Walnut: Rich, dark tones and bold graining—ideal for warm, dramatic rooms

• Maple: Light and subtle, often used in minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired design

When choosing a wood, think not only about aesthetics but also wearability and light exposure in the room.

Select the Finish to Match the Design Style

Finishes can dramatically shift the mood of a piece. Neutral finishes (like natural, harvest wheat, or whitewash) are versatile, while darker tones (like espresso or barnwood) create stronger focal points.

Some suppliers offer custom-mixed stains or even color-matching to specific palettes. Designers should request samples early in the process and review them in the intended lighting conditions.

Nail the Dimensions

Sizing is one of the key advantages of custom furniture. You’re not limited to preset dimensions. Provide:

• Room layout or measurements

• Required clearances (e.g., chair spacing around dining tables)

• Visual balance goals (height-to-ceiling or width-to-wall ratios)

Working with a supplier who provides design mockups or CAD support can help streamline approvals.

Understand the Ordering Process

Ordering timelines and expectations vary by vendor. Be sure to clarify:

• Lead times: Solid wood pieces are typically made to order and may take 6–12 weeks

• Payment terms: Some require a deposit, with balance due at shipment

• White glove delivery: Important for high-end or large installations

• Warranty or refinishing policies: Solid wood often comes with care support

Build a sourcing timeline that aligns with your overall project milestones.

Prioritize Function Alongside Style

A beautifully crafted piece of furniture should not only fit the design, it should serve your client’s lifestyle. As you customize pieces, consider the day-to-day functionality:

• Storage needs: Built-in drawers or hidden compartments are valuable in bedrooms and dining rooms

• Seating comfort: Ensure tables are paired with the right leg/apron spacing for chairs

• Durability: High-traffic homes or commercial settings may benefit from harder woods or protective finishes

Function-forward decisions help prevent costly redesigns and ensure long-term satisfaction.

Communicate Clearly With the Vendor

Successful sourcing depends on strong communication. The more detail you provide upfront, the more likely the final piece will meet expectations. Include:

• Sketches or photos of the inspiration

• Notes on finishes, grain orientation, or sheen level

• Budget constraints and delivery deadlines

Consider vendors that offer direct designer support or client-facing renderings for presentation.

Plan for Delivery and Installation

Oversized or heavy pieces need special care. Work with your supplier and logistics team to coordinate timing and prep the site:

• Elevator access or stairwell restrictions

• Blanket-wrapped or crated delivery options

• White glove service that includes placement and debris removal

Let your client know what to expect so they’re confident and ready when delivery day arrives.

Source Sustainably When Possible

Today’s design clients are more conscious than ever about where their furnishings come from. Choosing solid wood furniture made with sustainable sourcing and ethical production can enhance your brand as a thoughtful, quality-driven designer. Look for:

• Reclaimed wood options or sustainably harvested lumber

• Certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

• Low-VOC finishes that improve indoor air quality

• Workshops that support local craftsmanship or domestic manufacturing

Mentioning your sourcing values to clients can build trust while also enhancing the story behind the piece.

Educate Your Client on Solid Wood Expectations

Custom solid wood furniture is built to last, but it does evolve over time. Helping your client understand the nature of real wood creates realistic expectations and long-term satisfaction. Key things to discuss include:

• Natural variation: Color, grain, and knots vary piece to piece

• Aging: Some woods will subtly shift in tone as they’re exposed to light and air

• Movement: Real wood expands and contracts slightly with temperature and humidity

Framing these characteristics as features—not flaws—adds value and encourages your client to see the furniture as an investment.

Don’t Skip the Samples

No matter how confident you feel in your selections, physical samples are a non-negotiable part of the process. Designers know that a finish can look drastically different depending on its surroundings. A color that reads warm in a showroom might turn cool under LED lighting, and natural wood grain can shift depending on sunlight, shadows, or even nearby upholstery.

Encourage your clients to handle these samples in the rooms where their new furniture will live. Place them next to paint swatches, tile, and flooring. View them in morning light, afternoon sun, and evening lamp glow. A few extra days up front will save weeks of disappointment after delivery.

Many reputable furniture makers offer curated sample kits for designers that include multiple finish options and wood types. These kits are invaluable tools when pitching a design direction to clients or curating cohesive whole-home palettes.

If you're managing a project remotely, samples can also help bridge the gap between vision and execution. In these cases, being able to hold and review a sample in hand becomes even more essential to avoid costly misalignments or returns. Even if you’ve used a vendor before, never skip finish samples. Light, paint color, and nearby materials all impact how a stain appears in real life. Requesting samples helps avoid surprises—and gives your client a hands-on feel for the material.