Custom vs. Stock
We all want to have our homes and offices to standout with stylish design. We want people to form good opinions about our spaces and as a result have a positive opinion of our decor sense. There are countless types of products out there that all have the same purpose but come at vastly different prices. Where you source materials from can drastically change the costs of any job. So how do you determine what products are the right solution to you?
Custom Made
In the design world, custom made anything is considered to be top of the line. These are products that are built from scratch and made exclusively for you. These can be things like cabinets, furniture, and countertops. These are just a few examples of items that can be purpose built for your needs. When taking this approach to designing an area you almost certainly will get exactly what you want with features designed for your purposes. So, the question then becomes why not just customize everything? The answer is simple, cost. Fully custom-made products are extremely expensive and take a long time to produce. They must have detailed measurements, be built to exact specifications, and every job is different. This comes at a cost with some rewards but for those of us who want to work on a budget, custom made is usually unnecessary.
Special Order
A more practical way to get a high-end look is to shop from special order products. These are typically items made to order from a list of existing specifications. This approach gives you the ability to semi customize an area for less money than a full custom job. Special order products typically allow you to pick out colors and design features you like within a certain range of measurements and options. It is a great way to get a high-end custom look without needing to customize everything. The benefits of buying custom order products are you get more variety of choices and you can craft a somewhat unique look. If you do a good enough of a job while selecting components, it can even appear to be fully custom when it is not. The downside to special order products is they can sometimes take a long time to produce as well. They are typically quicker than custom made items, but they do still have a lead time associated with them.
Stock Items
The final way to shop for home and office improvement products is to buy from a stores stock. Most stores and companies will have a selection of in stock goods that can be picked up or shipped to you with in a few days or even same day. The benefit of using stock products is simple, its cheaper and quicker. Stock items are usually purchased by suppliers in large quantities and the savings is passed on to end users. The downside to working with stock items is it can be very limiting. The number of size and color options available is substantially less then special order products. Additionally, if you use all stock products you run the risk of your area looking simple and basic if you are not too careful. However, we must recognize that it is possible to design a great area with stock products.
Examples
A great way to design a room on a budget is to think about flooring. There are all types of flooring options from high end hardwoods to budget friendly laminates. Everyone wants real hard wood flooring, but many companies make a simple stock laminate floor that is designed to look like real wood. It is functional, has some good styling to it, and choosing this option can save you thousands of dollars. A great way to use laminate flooring effectively is to think about the whole space. Color matters and so does patterns and wood grains. If you pick a well-priced laminate, paint the walls, and use furniture pieces that coordinate well you can create a wonderful space. Remember to think about the whole look of an area. If you want the floors to be a focal point then using special order products might be the way to go, but if you want the furniture and the walls to grab attention then a laminate floor might be a great way to save some money on your product.
Another great example of how to use special order vs stock items is in the desking world. Most office furniture manufacturers have stock colors and sizes but also offer special order sizes and colors as well. It is important to do research and decide what option fits your needs the best. The benefit of stock colors is they are typically easier to match, and it is easier to expand upon a collection. For example, you can usually find a matching bookcase to a stock desk with ease down the road if you decide you need more storage. You can do this with special order products as well, but this often gets frustrating because you will have to wait a longer lead time. Finally, it is important to note that stock items can sometimes be somewhat customized. Desk usually have a few sizes associated with them so the first option you see can often be changed and reconfigured. The type of drawers a desk has, or its overall size is an example of something that can sometimes be changed. So, if you see a stock item you like, it never hurts to ask if other options are available.
There are several ways to design an area and they come at vastly different prices. Remember your first quote might not be the best option for a job. So, when you are planning a remodel ask questions and see what is out there and if you need any advice on office furniture products for your space feel free to contacts us at sales@furniturewholesalers.com.