If you are going to invest in quality, solid timber furniture, you might as well get furniture that actually fits your home, suits your family's lifestyle, and is built to last.
Here's how the custom furniture process works at Retrograde Furniture, from first conversation to delivery day.
What does "custom furniture" actually mean?
Custom furniture means we build it specifically for your home, based on your specifications, timber preferences and design requirements.
This is furniture made to order for you:
- Exact dimensions you specify - like a narrower than usual 2.0m x 0.8m dining table to fit a compact dining area
- Timber species you choose - American Oak, Walnut, Tasmanian Oak, Blackbutt, Recycled Messmate
- Design modifications where needed - extra drawers, open shelves instead of closed storage, height adjustments
Not sure where to start? You may choose one of our existing design collections as a foundation, then customise dimensions and details to suit your specific space and needs.
How do I start a custom furniture project?
Step 1: Tell us what you need
Get in touch to discuss your project. We'll ask about:
- What type of furniture you need for your home - eg. dining table, bed frame, bathroom vanity, storage
- Rough idea of what you want - eg. dining table to seat 10 people in American Oak, bed frame in Walnut to fit in a 4m x 5m bedroom
- When you need it by - eg. by August for a housewarming gift
- Room dimensions and any constraints - eg. doorways, windows, alcoves
Contact us to start your custom furniture project →
Step 2: Measure your space
Accurate measurements prevent expensive mistakes. You'll need:
- Room dimensions - length, width, height
- Doorway and hallway widths - will it fit through?
- Window and door locations
- Any fixed features - radiators, power points, architectural details
👆🏽For dining tables, remember circulation space: 90cm minimum behind each chair when seated, 110cm for high-traffic areas. For bed frames, account for bedside tables and walking space around the bed.
Not sure how to measure properly? Our complete guide walks you through measuring for furniture that fits your home perfectly.
Read our furniture measuring guide →
Step 3: Get a ballpark quote
Based on your requirements, we'll provide an indicative quote. This gives you a sense of cost before committing to the design process.
If the ballpark quote works for your budget, we'll send a deposit invoice to lock your project into our design and production schedule. This deposit covers our design time and secures your place in the workshop queue.
This is particularly helpful if you're still working through details with your interior designer, architect or builder – you can lock in your spot whilst finalising specifications.
Step 4: Design and final approval
Once your deposit is received, we create detailed drawings showing:
- Exact dimensions
- Timber species and finish
- Any custom modifications
- Final costings
You'll approve these drawings before we begin production. Once approved, the design phase closes and we move into crafting your piece.
Any amendments to scope or change requests at this stage will be communication on, and captured in the balance invoice.
Step 5: Handcrafted in our Melbourne workshop
Your furniture is built in our Mordialloc workshop by our team of craftspeople. Timeline: 8-12 weeks from design approval to completion, depending on the complexity of your piece and current workshop schedule.
Step 6: Balance payment and delivery
Balance invoice is due on project completion. Once paid, we arrange professional delivery to your home across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra or beyond. Or, if you are based in Melbourne, you are welcome to collect directly from our Mordialloc workshop.
Delivery timelines vary by location – typically 1-2 weeks after completion for major cities.
Read more about our freight & delivery options →
How do I choose a design collection for my custom furniture?
Our design collections provide a starting point for your custom piece. Each has distinct aesthetic characteristics that suit different homes and lifestyles.
Heathcote - Clean, straight-lined simplicity that lets timber shine. Robust proportions for everyday family life.
Bristol - Modern coastal design with distinctive rounded legs. Sleek minimalism with natural warmth.
Plymouth - Contemporary meets classic with soft rounded compound edges. Strong yet approachable.
Penelope -Delicate elegance with bevelled edges and tapered legs. Lets timber's natural beauty take centre stage.
Mayfield - Graceful design with tapered legs and gentle radius edges. Sophisticated calm for modern living.
Crawford - Classic mid-century modern with curved tops and splayed angled legs. Timeless design with contemporary craftsmanship.
Clifton - Architectural presence with clean structural lines. Honest beauty for contemporary homes.
Not sure which suits your home? We'll guide you based on your home's architecture, existing aesthetic, and how your family lives.
Explore our design collections →
How do I choose timber species for custom furniture made to order?
Each timber type brings different character to your home:
American Oak - Light to medium brown with prominent grain. Versatile timber that works in any style from contemporary to traditional. Our most popular choice.
Tasmanian Oak - Pale cream to light brown with pink undertones. Creates bright, contemporary aesthetic perfect for modern Australian homes wanting warmth without compromising on lightness.
Walnut - Rich dark brown with unique grain variation. Sophisticated timber that brings depth and warmth to modern interiors.
Blackbutt - Honey to light brown with natural character. Distinctly Australian native timber, extremely durable for high-traffic family areas.
Recycled Timber - (mostly Messmate or Wormy Chestnut) Natural patina with distinctive grain. Sustainable reclaimed timber with unique character marks that tell a story.
How to decide for your home:
- Light-filled spaces: Any timber works; dark timbers add warmth and depth
- Darker spaces: Lighter timbers (Oak) brighten rooms
- High-traffic family areas: Blackbutt or American Oak for durability
- Bathrooms: Any timber with our hard wax oil finish provides moisture resistance
- Aesthetic preferences: Contemporary spaces often suit lighter or very dark timbers; traditional homes suit medium tones
View swatches of our timber options →
Can I modify existing designs from your collections?
Yes, our design collections are starting points for furniture made to order for your home.
Common modifications we make:
- Adjust table length, width or height to fit your exact space
- Add or remove drawers in storage pieces
- Modify shelf configurations (open shelves instead of closed cabinets)
- Adjust vanity depths for compact bathrooms
- Reconfigure bed head heights to fit under windows
- Change bedside tables from drawers to open shelf storage
Example: Customer needed a bed frame for a room with low windows. We shortened the Plymouth bed head height by 200mm so it sat perfectly below the window sill, and modified the matching bedside tables to have open shelves instead of drawers for easier access in the compact space.
👆🏽Limitations: Some modifications affect structural integrity or design cohesion. We'll advise if a requested change won't work technically or aesthetically for your home.
How long does custom furniture take to make?
Typical timeline: 8-12 weeks from design approval to completion
Delivery follows completion, typically 1-2 weeks for major Australian cities.
Timeline varies based on:
- Complexity of your piece
- Timber availability
- Current production schedule
- Custom modifications requested
We'll provide an accurate timeline estimate during your initial consultation based on your specific project and our current production queue.
How much does custom furniture cost?
Custom furniture made to order for your home costs more than mass-produced alternatives because:
- Solid hardwoods not particle board or veneer
- Traditional joinery and premium hardware
- Made to order and bespoke to you
- Perfectly sized for your home
- 10-year structural warranty
We'll provide transparent pricing through the process so you understand costs before committing.
But here's what you're actually comparing: Furniture your family uses every day for 20+ years, versus flat-pack pieces that wobble after a year and end up on the nature strip after three. Just solid timber furniture that becomes part of your home's story.
How do I care for custom timber furniture?
Daily care for your home:
- Wipe spills immediately with soft cloth
- Use coasters for hot drinks and wet glasses
- Dust with microfibre cloth weekly
Our hard wax oil finish penetrates timber for protection whilst maintaining natural feel. It's repairable (unlike polyurethane which chips) and can be reapplied as needed.
Full care instructions provided with every piece made for your home.
Read our complete timber furniture care guide →
What if my measurements change?
Before deposit, or the Design Phase: Easy to adjust. Just contact us with revised measurements.
After deposit, before Production: Small adjustments sometimes possible. Contact us immediately if your measurements change.
During Production: Changes may require additional costs as we've already begun crafting to your approved specifications. We'll assess feasibility and provide updated pricing.
After completion: Custom furniture built to your specifications can't be modified without significant cost.
To avoid errors:
- Measure twice, confirm three times
- Account for skirting boards, architraves and hardware
- Verify doorway widths (including door trim)
We'll review your specifications during consultation and flag anything that seems unusual for your home.
Can I visit the workshop?
Yes, absolutely!
You can make an appointment to:
- See your piece in progress (where production stage allows)
- Understand how quality furniture is crafted for Australian homes
- Meet the team building your furniture
- View timber samples and finished pieces
What makes Retrograde custom furniture different?
Local Melbourne craftsmanship Made to order in our Mordialloc workshop for Australian homes. Not imported or mass-produced. You can visit where your furniture is actually built.
10-year structural warranty This demonstrates our confidence in construction quality for your home.
Sustainable & responsibly sourced timber FSC-certified timber from local suppliers. Solid timber construction means furniture that lasts generations and is built for family life.
True customisation Actual made-to-measure furniture for your specific home and family's needs.
Transparent process You speak with the maker of your furniture and know exactly what you're getting, when you'll get it, and how it's made. No surprises.
Ready to create custom furniture for your home?
Custom furniture made to order requires thoughtful planning, but the result is furniture that fits your home perfectly and lasts generations.
Start your custom project:
Get in touch with your requirements – rough dimensions, timber preferences, timeline. We'll provide a ballpark quote and guide you through the process of creating furniture specifically for your home.
All furniture handcrafted in our Melbourne workshop from sustainably sourced Australian hardwoods. 10-year structural warranty included.
Start your custom furniture project →
Previous
Collaborating with Designers and Builders: How Retrograde Furniture Supports Trade Projects
Next
How our bathroom vanities are supplied: what's included and what your installer needs to know
