makers Make
handmade confusion
Words like handmade and handcrafted get thrown around a lot from small artisan studios here in the UK to mass-produced pieces coming off overseas assembly lines. It can be really confusing.
In the UK, there aren’t strict legal definitions for these terms; the main rule under consumer law is simply not to mislead customers.
The Truth About Wood: What’s Your Furniture Really Made Of?
Made & CRAFTEd by hand
In the strictest sense, this is furniture built from the ground up by a single maker or a small team of artisans. Traditional joinery such as handcut dovetails, hand-planed surfaces, finishes mixed and applied right there in the workshop. No CNC machines, no automated cutting, just hand tools, skill, and time.
These pieces take weeks, sometimes months, to make. They’re more expensive and they’re often bespoke, made to fit a particular brief or customer. If you’re looking for something truly special, this is it.
HANDMADE DEBATE
“Handmade” these days covers a lot of ground. Whether machine support counts, is a debate that’s been going for years and will probably keep going for as long as the solid wood furniture lasts. But broadly, it’s accepted that handmade includes skilled craftsmanship supported by hand-operated tools and machinery.
The key is that the work is still done by people, not robots or automated production lines. It sticks to the core values of quality craft, just in a more efficient, scalable way. This is how many UK furniture workshops now work - a balance of skill and smart tools.
twisted words
BUT...while some “handmade” pieces might involve skilled makers and real materials.
One brand’s “handmade” might mean hand-joined in a workshop; another’s might mean hand-assembled from machine-cut parts. Others might come off a factory line and get a final sand or wax by hand, still technically hand-finished, but hardly artisanal. Even “bespoke” can be a stretch if it just means choosing a leg colour from a dropdown.
The reality is: brands while staying on the right side of the law, tend to lead with the most flattering version of the truth.
If the words sound good but say very little, they probably mean very little. That’s your cue to dig deeper. Ask what the words really mean in practice, how it was made, where, and by whom.
mass production
FACTORY MADE
Factory-made furniture is typically produced using machinery and repeatable processes, sometimes in large-scale operations, sometimes in small, specialised workshops.
This often involves big tools, CNC cutters, and production lines turning out hundreds of pieces a day. But that doesn’t mean quality always takes a hit. Brands like Ercol combine traditional techniques with smart, efficient production to make furniture that’s both consistent and built to last.
BUDGET IMPORTS
At the budget end, you’ll find furniture made fast and cheap, usually using MDF, thin veneers, metal brackets, and the occasional cardboard panel.
It’s designed to look the part and keep costs low, not to last a lifetime. Great if you need a quick fix, but it won’t stand up to daily wear. Yet again, it's never straight forward as there are some fabulous, items imported so as always make sure you know what you're buying.
THE MURKY MIDDLE
You’ve got the clear ends of the spectrum: handcrafted & made at one end, mass imports at the other. But this is where things get murky.
Some big furniture brands design in the UK but manufacture overseas, or make some of the products here and some overseas. The marketing still leans on British artisanal craft and traditional values, but the production is in places like China.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing but the key is knowing what you're really buying. It’s not always made clear or skirted over, which is why it’s worth reading the website before you buy or asking at the showrooms.
What Are You Paying For?
Most of the cost of good furniture comes down to materials and time. Solid wood costs more than MDF. Traditional joinery takes longer than modern methods. Hand-finishing can take longer and allows for more character, while spray finishes, though often skilled and consistent, are usually faster and more scalable.
Locally made furniture often costs more up front, but tends to offer better long-term value, in all aspects from durability to customer service.
Imported furniture might save money upfront, but the environmental footprint, from factory production to shipping emissions, is often far greater. Especially when it’s not built to last.
Sustainability Matters
Think of it like food. A handmade, solid wood table from a local workshop is the slow-grown, properly sourced meal, you know where it came from and is made to last.
Mass-produced flat-pack? That’s fast food. Quick, cheap, and built for short-term use and most of it ends up in landfill.
Sustainability isn’t just about materials, it’s about process, lifespan, and waste. The longer it lasts, the lower the impact.
BESPOKE/CUSTOM
It’s furniture designed and built from scratch for you rather than mass-produced or made in standard sizes or styles.
A bespoke piece might be created to fit an unusual space, match particular materials, or fulfill your unique design vision.
These will set you back a bit but are genuine heirloom pieces to be loved and cherished.
madE TO ORDER
You're choosing from a in place design, but the piece isn’t built until you place your order.
You might pick the size, colour, finish, or materials, but the basic shape and style are set although because they are made to order, customisations are often allowed.
The lead time of these can vary enormously so make sure you're aware of how long you might have to wait.
READY MADE
These are pieces made in standard sizes and styles, kept in stock or made in large batches.
Usually more affordable and easy to find, but less unique and often less flexible when it comes to fit or style.
Although many fine furniture makers now have pieces in stock for sale, due to demand and the rise of internet shopping.
Look Beyond Labels
Beneath the surface
So. how is your furniture made? The best thing you can do as a buyer is to ask questions.
Dig into the process. Where is it made? Is it truly handmade or just hand-finished? What kind of joinery is used? How much is done by hand, and how much by machine?
A brand that's genuinely proud of how it makes it's furniture will tell you. Then you can make an informed choice and buy the best piece of furniture for you and your budget.
HOW WE MAKE FURNITURE
From timber to table
Want to see what goes into our own pieces? We’ve put together a behind-the-scenes look at our materials, methods, and making process so you can see exactly what you’re buying, and why it matters.
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