skip to main content

Furniture Design Dilemma

Advice on my design

21 days ago

I make furniture using the edges of plywood to create geometric patterns, along with coloured veneers and hardwood, generally from a wood recycling place.
I'm not good at marketing or having any idea if my work is saleable, or who my market would be, and if so what prices they could sell at. And dreadful with social media, so can't use that to find out.
So any advice on anything I have mentioned would be well appreciated.
4 pictures are of a console table creating a herringbone design with blue veneer used between, and the others are of a side drawer made up of a hexagon design with plywood and hardwood.
Many thanks
David

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Isla Cherry
21 days ago
Have you tried selling some of your pieces at local markets if you don't want to do social media? You could also approach independent interior shops and see if they would stock some samples of your work? If you don't want to do this then see if they could have your business cards at the till for example? There is also Etsy and Notonthehighstreet but I think they take quite a large percentage in return for their platforms. Craft markets might be another option.
Ply-Design thanked Isla Cherry
Sonia
21 days ago
Your profile has disappeared? However, I agree with Isla, take samples of your work to quality independent shops, or sell via Etsy, EBay etc but then that will be online. You could try craft markets too. Or even take some samples into local “posh” hotels and pubs. You will reach more people if you sell online though. Good luck.
Ply-Design thanked Sonia
Related Discussions
Open Plan Room Design Advice
Q
Comments (10)
Dear James, You have a great feature there with your fireplace and wood burner. I really like the exposed brickwork, and the way this feature within your space flows through from the fireplace, stairs and in your kitchen/ dining & breakfast room. This is a really good focal point for your space in setting a theme. The larger shelf that sweeps round that you currently have an armchair in front of can ideally be removed with the unit under it also being taken out. This would open the area near the stairs; allowing you space to move through into the centre area easily. Opening the stairs themselves will allow light to flood through, this will greatly improve the access you have to natural light. Try to go with a unified neutral tone that reflects the natural light in the day, I'm not saying brilliant white here, a warm cream, with a sandy undertone, one that ties in with the beautiful wood surfaces in your kitchen. Consider spotlights that positioned correctly will illuminate key focal points in the evening to create an atmosphere, and highlight the textures and features of the space. Mirrors are brilliant pieces for reflecting light and creating the feel of more space, and positioned right can help the flow through your space. Use accessories to define your zones such as seating area and kitchen. experiment with pattern and colour to create your theme. I hope these simple but effective tips help to give you a start on your ideas for your space. We are here if you would like to discuss any of these further, please don't hesitate to contact us. Kind Regards Michael Jhala Designs
...See More
En-suite Design Advice Needed...
Q
Comments (5)
cheers Robert Way Designers. I had considered making a feature which would conceal the waste as it has to run above the joists for a section unfortunately. i'd also like to include some concealed lighting - any advice on what to look for that's suitable for a wetroom/bathroom environment please?
...See More
Need Advice for my A Level Product Design Project
Q
Comments (2)
Product Design - best subject ever ;) As to your project - are you talking about a permanent fixture or something that could be mobile? Who are you aiming this product at - people who potter, or professionals? Is it a luxury product or a more economical model? Could it be a modular piece that could be added to in stages? What will it hold - full size rakes, forks, spades etc or just hand tools, or both? Could the working element (fork/rake etc) be interchangable with a single handle? Think about how that might work (or not) practically. Go to a few garden centres, see how they display their garden tool ranges - notice how some more luxury models are displayed differently to the regular models - what makes the difference? Take photos. Document the research. And talk to a few gardeners - what tools do they use the most? (Me - the secateurs, rake and the bin/wheelbarrow). Make up a simple questionairre, distribute it to friends and neighbours (or their parents!) Perhaps list a couple of rough options to choose from and get participants to choose a favourite, giving reasons why. As good quality tools can lifetime they would be considered naturally environmentally friendly - avoid plastic if possible or practical. Oh and make sure you presention boards & documents are flawless. Check that spelling. Use lots of illustrations and diagrams. Show it’s an amazing product - it should sell itself. Hope this helps a little - good luck with the project! (Product Design BSc Hons)
...See More
garden design advice for my edible/wildlife friendly front yard
Q
Comments (14)
Rachel and Carolina, thank you both so much for taking some of your time to think and design those sketches, it has really helped me in a stage I was blocked in my project. I now can keep on moving forward, that's so great. Carolina, I like your designs and they are actually similar to the sketches I was doing before I imported the soil in the garden but I think at this stage, following the natural curves of the garden will be much easier for me. I really like a lot of ideas you emitted. I will indeed add a birdbath somewhere and possibly a mini pond :-D Rachel, you just put into words and sketch a vague idea that I had but that I didn't know how to formulate! you basically read my mind. yes, I noticed there was some natural lines, and I wanted something more in curves but I didn't know how. your design makes it all look possible and realistic. to answer your questions, the round things are wine bottles. I was thinking of adding more wine bottles for edging but they might be a bit too short for high enough raised beds. I'll have to think about it... yes, the silver planter is a dolly tub. I was thinking of planting a clematis in it and some colourful flowers at the base of the clematis. I thought it would look nice somewhere against the white wall... thank you both so much about your ideas. I'll send you an update when it's more advanced. (it might take a long time though, but I'll get there!)
...See More
PRO
Black and Milk | Interior Design | London
21 days ago
Consider targeting interior designers, eco-conscious individuals, or boutique furniture stores that cater to customers looking for unique, handcrafted pieces. Since you're not comfortable with social media, participating in local craft fairs, and artisan markets, or collaborating with local galleries and eco-friendly stores could be effective ways to showcase your work and gauge pricing based on customer feedback and comparable items.
Ply-Design thanked Black and Milk | Interior Design | London
Jonathan
20 days ago
Since there are not enough hours in the day to try to sell these everywhere I think you need to be smart about how you do it.

Firstly I would forget about what other furniture sells for- you need to consider the man hours, materials used and come up with a value that you need to achieve after other costs you then need to add about half again to cover the time spent selling and insulate yourself from the loss of stock not selling. So say a side table needs to sell for £500 to justify the materials, your labour, the time spent selling it and the tax you will pay on your income. You then need to look at where you need to advertise in order to achieve this. It may be that you find a high end design specialist with a showroom- they might mark it up at £1200 because they also want to make £500 and they will have to pay VAT on their sale. You might use a forum such as Etsy and work out their cut and price it accordingly. And of course you can do both. Don’t forget to have several pieces with the same feel so people have option- for example make sure that you have more than one size of coffee table, remember people are generally prepared to spend on their living room more than their bedroom. And remember that if you have an outlet like Etsy many people are impulse shoppers so have something smaller and affordable for them such as picture frames, chopping boards, serving platters, trays, door stops, keepsake boxes, draughty games, dog bowls etc etc

Best of luck.
Ply-Design thanked Jonathan
PRO
Ply-Design
Original Author
20 days ago
last modified: 20 days ago
Thanks for your replies, They're all very useful and have given me some more options to consider.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Colour choice for slate tiled bathroom

9

Kitchen Layout Dilemma

5

Furniture arrangement advice required

13

Second bedroom to Ground Floor flat

2

fold down bed - any good?

2

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.