Materials For Luxury Bespoke Fitted Furniture
In Surrey & West Sussex Homes
In this post, Thomas Streeter outlines the different types of high-quality materials used by Bespoke by Acorn when creating luxury bespoke fitted furniture.
Our handcrafted furniture is customised and crafted specifically for you and your home in Surrey. Each piece we produce is unique, with every detail tailored to meet your needs and style. It means you get to select the materials and finishes that will perfectly complement your home’s décor and your personal taste. The choice of materials is crucial in achieving the appearance and functionality you want for your built-in furniture.
Wherever possible we use eco-friendly materials that are non-toxic, help to conserve natural resources and minimise waste. We always prioritise sustainably sourced wood, such as FSC-certified timber.
Wood
Solid wood is the primary material we use for our bespoke fitted furniture. Each type of wood has its own distinctive character, grain, and colour, and your choice
- Oak is popular for its incredible strength and its warm tones and distinctive grain patterns that suit both traditional and contemporary interior styles.
- Maple is loved for its light, creamy colour, even texture and durability.
- Cherry is a beautiful timber, with a fine grain and a reddish-brown hue developing over time.
- Ash is a strong, smooth hardwood with very few knots and a flexibility making it ideal for fine furniture work and curved designs.
- Sweet Chestnut has lots of character bringing interest to furniture and veneers.
- Tulipwood timber is pale cream to light green in colour, with hardly any knots, and takes paint very well. We made all the framework and doors in tulipwood for this painted Surrey kitchen.
- Walnut is valued for its dark, rich colour and strength. This wall unit looks stunning in dark walnut.
Engineered woods and sheet materials
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is an engineered wood product made from wood fibre. Here at Acorn, we use the highest grade MDF for our sprayed bespoke furniture; moisture resistant MDF for use in humid conditions, such as bathrooms; and profiled MDF for cladding. Unlike natural wood which can warp or split over time, high-grade MDF will maintain its appearance when exposed to humidity and fluctuating temperatures in bathrooms and kitchens. As MDF is mainly composed of recycled wood fibres it helps to conserve forests and minimise waste too.
We also use birch plywood for our bespoke handmade kitchens when it is specified. Birch plywood compromises thin layers of birch, cross banded together, which gives an attractive edge on the ply, which many people like to see bare. We use 24mm birch plywood for shelving for strength, so they won’t sag over time.
Metals
Metal is used for components like handles, hinges, and drawer runners, or as decorative accents. Incorporating metal elements such as brass and steel, add extra offer and provide a striking contrast against the warmth of wood. It is always wise to invest in the best quality ironmongery for long-lasting and beautifully functioning bespoke furniture.
This dining room cabinet features bespoke solid brass handles and matching brass undershelf.
Bespoke glass
Glass-fronted doors in bespoke cabinetry offer a blend of aesthetic and practical benefits, adding depth, brightness and illusion of space. They allow for items to be displayed while protecting them too. With glazing options such as clear, frosted, mirrored, coloured, leaded or reeded glass, your cabinet doors can be tailored to match your interior décor.
Bespoke veneers and laminates
At Acorn Bespoke Carpentry and Joinery, we use all kinds of high-end veneers.
These include real wood veneers which can be sanded stained, lacquered, varnished or French polished. We also like the premium MFC (melamine faced chipboard) from Egger, which comes in a vast range of decorative wood grain effects, patterns and colours.
We added a sophisticated leather effect finish to the shelving in this Esher home office.
Bespoke finishes
Your bespoke fitted furniture can be stained or painted in any colour of your choice.
Whatever you choose… a solid opaque colour in high gloss, satin or matt, or the translucent finish of a stain allowing the grain of the timber to come through… we can achieve it for you.
We gave a floating vanity shelf a beautiful black finish, which provides tough, waterproof protection while also allowing the natural oak wood grain to show through.
In contrast, the cupboards in this beautiful room are painted in Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments to inspire tranquillity while cabinet interiors are made from Xylocleaf Kaki FA44 Penelope, which is highly durable and pleasingly decorative with a tactile texture.
Acorn Bespoke Carpentry and Joinery can help you achieve the effect and functionality you desire. We can pinpoint the perfect material to meet your perfect requirements for looks, low maintenance and budget. For more advice and information please contact us for a free initial design consultation.
