Buying Furniture vs Building Your Own: Things To Consider

Many of you know I’ve built quite a bit of our furniture here and there around Grandma’s house. Especially (mostly) outside as outdoor furniture is very expensive and I happened to have material left over from when I built our deck. I put in a full wrap around bench, a table, two end tables, a coffee table and two sun loungers all of which have served us well for years. Beyond that though the few pieces I have purchased for the home generally came from thrift stores etc. and I was able to fully refinish them (or modify them) to get what we wanted which is a great option if building your own furniture isn’t something you wish to tackle.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Buying furniture for your home is a common thing to do. However, there are some people who want to build their own furniture instead of buying it. There are many benefits to building your own custom furniture. You get the sense of accomplishment that comes with assembling something yourself, and there is no limit on what you can create.

However, if you haven’t built anything before or lack the time to devote to it, then buying pre-made furniture may be a better option.

This article will explore both options so that you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Things You Need to Know Before Building Your Own Furniture

Building furniture can be a fun and rewarding project, but there are some things you need to know before getting started.

1. The first thing you need to do is measure the space where the furniture will go. This will help you determine the size of the pieces you’ll need to build.

1. Next, sketch out your design so that you have an idea of what you’re trying to create. You must consider the stability of the structure while doing so. The last thing you want is for your kitchen tables to fall apart due to not being properly assembled.

1. Be sure to use high-quality lumber and construction-grade materials for your furniture. Cheap materials may not hold up over time and could end up costing more in the long run.

1. Before you begin building, make sure that you have adequate tools and workspace.

Things You Need to Know Before Buying Furniture

There are some things you should think about before buying furniture for your home.

1. How much do I want to spend? Different stores will offer different prices on the same item. If there is a sale going on at one store, then it would be better to shop around if budget is an issue for you.
2. What color scheme am I looking for? It’s best not to go into any store with a specific piece of furniture in mind as they may not carry exactly what you need or like. Try browsing through catalogs online first so that all options are available for comparison shopping when hitting the stores.
3. Is this piece of furniture practical? Think about where you want to put it and what activities will be taking place around the new furniture before buying it. For example, you don’t want to buy coffee tables that are too big for your living room. It’s better not to buy something that won’t get used or is too large for its purpose rather than regretting later on when your purchase doesn’t meet expectations.
4. Does this piece fit in with my décor? Don’t just assume that one store has everything you need because they might not have anything that matches your style or taste level. Make sure all pieces work together so that the look of your home flows well, instead of looking like a disorganized mess. Remember: If you don’t love them, then find another option.

Building Furniture Vs. Buying it: Benefits and Drawbacks

The following are the benefits and drawbacks of buying and making your furniture that are crucial to helping you decide if you want to choose one over the other.

Benefits of Building Furniture: 

• You get to choose the materials and design
• It can be cheaper than buying furniture
• You can create something unique that fits your specific needs
• It can be fun and creative

Drawbacks of Building Your Own Furniture: 

• It takes time and effort to build furniture from scratch
• If you don’t have any experience, it can be difficult to know where to start
• Requires adequate carpenting knowledge
• Can not necessarily turn out the way you want it to
• Can be exhausting
• Can be difficult to locate necessary materials 

Benefits of Buying Pre-Made Furniture: 

• Easier and faster to assemble than building your own furniture
• More variety in terms of style, color, and size
• No setup time or knowledge is necessary

Drawbacks of Buying Pre-Made Furniture: 

• May not fit your specific needs or taste
• Can be more expensive than building your own furniture

One Final Thing to Remember

In the end, it all comes down to what you want and what you’re comfortable with. If you have the time and inclination, building your own furniture can be a rewarding experience. But if you’re looking for something quick and easy that doesn’t require any extra effort, buying pre-made furniture is the way to go. Whichever option you choose, make sure to do your research so that you can find the best possible deal.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)