Furniture is meant to last a lifetime, right? So what happened to that chair you bought last year from IKEA? Why does furniture sold by these large retailers break so easily? Do they not make them like they used to anymore?
These are all valid questions, but the answer is simple. Most of the low-cost and quality furniture we buy nowadays is mass-produced. This means that they’re all made in factories and most of the manufacturing and assembling of these items are done by machines.
Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Not all machine-made furniture is cheap and low in terms of quality, but you should expect that most of them are. It’s not only the labor aspect that makes them affordable but also because cheap materials are utilized for them.
Handmade furniture, on the other hand, is often far superior to factory-made counterparts. Why? Let’s compare.
The Pros and Cons of Factory-Made Furniture
Regardless of its flaws, factory-made furniture still has some upsides. Here are a few of them.
Consistent Quality
It’s no surprise that mundane tasks are relegated to machines. They are very consistent with the quality of their work given that they are calibrated and maintained regularly.
Furniture that’s manufactured in factories undergoes rigorous inspections following certain standards meant to maintain the quality of the product released for distribution.
There’s room for error, albeit mostly a small one. The only question here is how high (or low) the quality of the output produced can be. Often, not too high given the quality of the materials utilized.
Affordability
Given that the process behind making factory-made furniture is already set, and the cost of making it is lowered, except that it is much cheaper compared to handcrafted furniture.
If you move a lot and don’t plan on bringing furniture, then factory-made items should best fit your situation. Think about it, though. A $500 furniture piece that will only last you two to three years is still more costly than a slightly premium one that’s $1,000 but is going to last you a lifetime.
Would you prefer to buy new furniture every other year? Or would you rather have a sophisticated, high-end, and durable piece instead for decades to come?
Ease of Assembly
Speaking of moving a lot, mass-produced furniture can be easier to assemble but has a higher probability of losing its durability when transported from palace to place.
The Pros and Cons of Handmade Furniture
Handmade furniture may have been overshadowed by its mass-produced counterpart these past few decades but there are still a lot of people who appreciate its value.
Lasts a Lifetime
There’s no question about it, premium furniture will last a lifetime. It is very low maintenance, too, and is guaranteed to be highly durable. It is cost-effective in the long run and just feels different once it gets to your home.
That’s because a lot of hours were spent by furniture craftsmen to perfect its design, build, and aesthetic. It did not just pass through a routine quality check but is a product of years and years of expertise, passion, and experience crafting only the best piece for the best clients.
Customized Designs
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to handmade furniture. High-end furniture makers will make sure that you get what you exactly want and need.
You can tailor-fit it to your home or commercial space. You can pick the materials from the fabric to the wood that’s going to be utilized. The choices are endless.
Better Value
At the end of the day, handmade furniture will have a higher market value than factory-made alternatives. It can be an investment or heirloom for your kids and grandkids, or if you need to sell it in the future, it could be worth a lot more.
It is unique and we already know that antique ages like fine wine.
Handmade Furniture Is Still Superior
After all, that’s said and done, and with all pros and cons weighed, handcrafted furniture is still far superior and the better choice over factory-made options.
If you want a family heirloom that can be passed down to the next generation and add further sophistication into your residences then customized and handmade furniture is the obvious choice, not to mention the more cost-effective one.
At Peninsula Home Collection, we work closely with designers, celebrities, and influencers to create high-end commercial, residential, and hospitality furniture that will not only serve its purpose but also liven up the aesthetics of your abode.
So, why settle for less when you can have the best in the industry? We’re just one phone call away.
