practical tips for designing

Designing custom furniture is always a challenge! At the invitation of German hardware manufacturer Hettich, Casoca has prepared a series of practical tips for you! We traveled to Rio Grande do Sul to delve into every aspect of custom furniture design.

Product designer and furniture accessories expert Leticia Kecher and Casoca’s Mari have summarized five practical tips for architects on custom furniture design. Learn why choosing handles and accessories for custom furniture is so important, and what the differences in quality exist between custom cabinet, drawer, and furniture accessories! Furthermore, you can explore the unique aspects of Hettich, a market leader in this field!

Understanding the Client’s Needs

This may sound like a cliché, but understanding the client’s needs is the best way to create a project that is both budget-friendly and practical, and will keep them happy for years to come.

The first step is understanding the type of room. Is it a house you’ll live in for the rest of your life, or an apartment you’ll only live in for a few years? This is crucial. When we talk about custom projects and furniture, we’re not just talking about a kitchen or bedroom, but the entire living space. We need to carefully analyze the client’s specific situation and incorporate it into our design. After all, you certainly don’t want to leave your rented apartment with furniture you can’t take with you when you move out. Therefore, understanding your client’s needs is crucial!

Understanding your budget is also essential, as a single piece of furniture can range in price from €8 to €80.

For planned kitchen projects, we offer a wide range of options, from minimalist kitchens equipped with accessories and natural stone to conceptual kitchens that blend various elements and technologies. Therefore, understanding your budget and how much benefit the space can gain from it is vital. Rooms that exceed the budget and are not used by the owner will only backfire.

Consider functionality!

When planning a project, we often consider aesthetics and how the client feels when entering the space. However, aesthetics are merely icing on the cake for a fully functional room! We must first ensure that their solutions are truly practical and meet the needs of the client and their surroundings. Can doors and drawers be opened in designated spaces? Are they within reach of children? Are items on shelves easily accessible? This is why functionality is so important! Custom-made furniture is durable and must remain functional throughout its use.

Reference Search

References aren’t always from online sources or Pinterest images. We also need to understand the products available in the local market.

As architects and industry experts, we create highly realistic renderings during the planning phase to show clients the spatial layout. However, we often simply download 3D models just to make them look better, without knowing who the supplier is or even if the product actually exists. What if the client chooses a product that doesn’t exist? Therefore, Letícia emphasizes the importance of Casoca (a professional information platform) during the planning and specification phase. Mari adds that understanding brands is also crucial. Casoca’s brand information can help architects find suitable products and gain in-depth understanding of them!

Finding Excellent Partners and Suppliers

By this definition, suppliers include industrial companies, specialty retailers, installers, electricians, and installers. A collaborative effort from numerous partners and individuals is essential for project success!

We should always seek out reliable and high-quality companies because unexpected situations can occur at any stage of the process, from product delivery to the client. For example, we might accidentally bump into furniture, causing damage, or find that furniture is misplaced or out of place. Therefore, monitoring the entire process is crucial. Maintaining strong relationships with partners is a crucial part of client service! Working closely with excellent architects is a key factor in ensuring client satisfaction with projects!

“The industry provides us planners with a very strong foundation of products and product quality. And this is largely about brand building: strong brands, partners, and brands that matter in our lives,” says Leticia.

Therefore, using high-quality products like Hettich is essential. They are versatile and incorporate numerous advanced technologies that set them apart. Because they are often relatively “hidden” components, their impact on the lifespan and functionality of furniture is often overlooked.

Attention to Detail

Sometimes, people get so caught up in the overall project that they overlook some of the details in the technical construction of custom furniture. Leticia is a good example; the project involved three different budgets, but the differences were not obvious. These differences lay in the details: which hinges specifically? This is why it is so important to accurately describe all the details in a project!

If we hadn’t specified the same furniture/kitchen, the quote could have differed by 5,000 to 20,000 reais. The difference wasn’t in aesthetics, but in the quality of the custom furniture. We must clearly define the opening and closing mechanisms of all furniture in the project. To do this, we add arrows next to the specifications and label them, for example: «Soft Hinges – Hettich». No need for excessive detail. Just clarify the key details: hinges, rails, whether the door opens upwards or downwards… details matter!

Want to learn more? Then watch the video!

Also, welcome to Casoca and explore Casoca University. It’s a hub for architects, designers, and students looking to further their studies, expand their knowledge, and advance their careers! You’ll also find four practical tips on bed, table, and bathroom product specifications!

Don’t miss the Preliminary podcast special airing on October 24th to learn more about Hettich and the Bigfer Group!