Amish-made furniture is a tradition of carpentry that uses time-honored building methods without the use of power tools. It comes at a higher price, but it can definitely be worth the cost. Be sure to do your research to ensure the shop is actually Amish-owned and operated, as some builders claim to make Amish-built furniture without using the same techniques.
Custom furniture can be worth the price if it suits your needs. One example that makes sense is furnishing rooms with odd dimensions or unique shapes. You might not find a suitable piece of pre-built furniture for your specific space, meaning you’ll have to go for a custom piece. Also, quality custom furniture tends to be much more durable than less expensive, pre-built pieces.
The best finish depends on your desired look, budget, and the material you’re looking to finish. For instance, power-coating and electrostatic paint are great ways to add durable, long-lasting paint to metal, but they come at a high cost. On the other hand, you can stain wood to your desired color quite easily and at a low cost, which might make the most sense for your specific furniture.
The time it takes to design, build, and finish custom furniture depends on the skill and availability of your builder, the complexity of your design, the amount of finishing touches you want, and the amount you’re willing to pay for a quick turnaround. Experienced carpenters might be able to finish a dresser within a week, while other projects could potentially take weeks to finish.