Thor’s Hammer is one of the most recommended designer furniture stores in Canberra. Photo: Supplied.
With impeccable craftsmanship, unrivalled quality and unique design on offer, it is easy to understand Canberra’s love of designer furniture. Once elusive outside the dress circle, beautiful designer furniture is now found from Hawker to Kingston – and everywhere in between.
Offering a sense of luxury and distinctive style, designer furniture is as much about functionality as it is about art and design. This blend of form and function is what often sets designer furniture apart.
Designer furniture looks, smells and feels like sheer opulence. The textures, colours, materials and finishes simply take your breath away.
While the disposable age is very much upon us, designer furniture stands head and shoulders above the rest. Unlike replicas or mass-produced pieces, quality designer furniture often outlasts its use. These carefully crafted one-of-a-kind pieces stand the test of time. Like the heirlooms of yesteryear, designer pieces are treasures to behold.
But with comparatively higher price tags, buying designer furniture is not something you want to get wrong. After all, many see purchasing designer furniture as an investment. An investment into your interiors, your home, and effectively your lifestyle.
So, where can we find designer furniture in Canberra? Without further ado, read on below.
What makes great designer furniture?
Great designer furniture is crafted to be enjoyed. This powerful blend of eye-catching beauty and wonderful design brings pleasure to everyday moments. While shopping for your next designer piece, we suggest keeping the following in mind:
- Blended form and function. There is something quite distinctive that makes designer furniture impossible to replicate. And that is the effortless blend of form and function. Great designer furniture has all the features, functions and design details you need. Whether you are sourcing key items or objects to beautify your space, look for aesthetically pleasing yet purposeful pieces.
- Quality at every turn. A hallmark of great designer furniture is its exceptional quality. The materials, their constructs and finishes, are of a superior grade to what you will generally find elsewhere. Indeed, the best designer pieces are handmade, either locally or internationally. These labour-intensive pieces are crafted with care, using only the finest materials available. Furthermore, these pieces may also carry warranties, providing added peace of mind for buyers.
- Tailor-made. A key benefit of buying designer furniture is its tailor-made nature. From the selection of materials and colours to configuration and function, it is custom-made to your preferences. Look for experienced workshops and flexible options for the best chance of getting it right.
- Ethics and sustainability. Often, buying designer furniture is more than form and function – it is about buying an ideal. Great designers are incredibly passionate about their craft, stopping at nothing to produce ethical and sustainable pieces. Look for environmentally sustainable materials and processes, along with ethical sourcing and manufacturing. Why? Because ethical suppliers invest more in all facets of production, delivering quality furniture created responsibly.
- Silver service. While custom-made furniture offers several benefits, you only really know what you have purchased once it is delivered. So, to avoid costly post-purchase dissonance, seek out stores that offer silver service. This means material samples, sketches and 3D visuals of your bespoke items mocked up in your space. It also means periodical check-ins, delivery, assembly and aftercare.
The best designer furniture in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Thor’s Hammer
Thor’s Hammer specialises in designing and creating high-quality furniture from timber reclaimed from historic buildings, wharves & factory demolition sites around Australia.
For close to 30 years, Thor’s Hammer and its team of first-rate designers, artisans and tradespeople have masterfully produced made-to-order, designer furniture and architectural products in their Canberra workshop.
Thor’s Hammer offers a suite of furniture, which can easily be customised by their design team, and one-off pieces to suit any style and space. Their products include tables, seating, sideboards, cabinets, benchtops, desks, beds, bedside tables, and other finely crafted pieces of bespoke furniture. Every piece will last many lifetimes.
Thor’s Hammer’s mission is to keep demolition timber out of landfill, through its circular economy business model. It is the go-to for those who appreciate the beauty and utility of recycled timber.
On Google, Anthony Burgess wrote, “Thor’s Hammer has helped me numerous times with inspiration, materials and advice. They’re wonderfully smart and ethical people to connect with.”
Uneke Furniture
Uneke Furniture have been locally designing and making free-standing timber furniture for domestic and commercial clients for over thirty-five years.
As specialists in both solid timber and timber veneer they have built an excellent reputation for quality custom-made furniture.
Their ability to integrate traditional techniques with contemporary design and quality materials has allowed them to offer high quality furniture that can be customised to suit client’s homes.
dtc shared this feedback on RiotACT, “Uneke Furniture in Fyshwick – either custom build or will modify one of their basic designs to suit your needs….These are the guys for lifetime purchases but it’s not over the top expensive.”
designcraft
designcraft is one of Canberra’s leading and award-winning retailers of high-end furniture, lighting, carpets and accessories—all in one showroom—fitting out homes, offices, outdoor areas and everything in between. Iconic brands sold for residential, commercial, government and hospitality projects include Herman Miller, Walter Knoll, Fritz Hansen, Hay, Louis Poulsen, Derlot, Didier and Furnished Forever.
On Google, Catherine and Greg Saunders said, “Great customer service. designcraft sells quality genuine designer furniture and accessories that cannot be matched elsewhere in Canberra.”
Miko Designs
The brainchild of Canberra locals, Stuart Finlayson and Stephanie McKenzie, Miko Designs offers designer furniture, homewares, and lighting with home-grown flair.
Miko Designs are known for sourcing the best Australian furniture craftsman and providing a platform to showcase their wares.
With a focus on high value, ethical, and sustainable designs, these furniture pieces are sure to stand the test of time. For one-of-a-kind pieces from established and emerging Australian talent look no further than Miko Designs.
Wendy Lo shared her experience on Google, “It is one of the best shops that we have come across in Canberra. Great furniture, minimal design in good quality…..”
Stylecraft
Delivering original, contemporary design for more than 60 years, Stylecraft now has six showrooms dotted around Australia – including one right here in Canberra.
Stylecraft features a collection of Australian designed and manufactured furniture along with international brands represented on an exclusive basis.
As leaders in educational, commercial, residential, and hospitality fit outs, their furniture is simultaneously beautiful and functional. For an extensive range of art-inspired designer furniture look to Stylecraft.
For other furniture options, check out our articles on the best furniture stores and the best office furniture supply stores in Canberra.
If you’re considering revamping some furniture, read our article on the best upholstery repairs and restoration. For some pre-loved items, see our article on the best second-hand furniture stores in the region.
For decorating services, check out our articles on the best curtain suppliers and the best outdoor blinds and curtain suppliers. Additionally, our articles on the best flooring specialists and the best house painters may be of interest.
Finally, for some professional assistance designing your space, check out our article on the best interior designers Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with designer furniture in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the furniture stores listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is designer furniture?
In its simplest form, designer furniture is specifically created by an individual designer or company that specialises in furniture production. There are many widely recognised international designer furniture brands, along with some great Australian counterparts.
Is designer furniture worth the investment?
Designer furniture not only makes a huge visual impact, it also makes for easier living. While the one-time expense may seem significant at first, the high-quality nature of the product ensures it will be a long-term investment that stands the test of time.
What is custom furniture?
As the name implies, custom furniture is designed, or customised, to meet a client’s specific requirements. It can be handcrafted from a completely bespoke idea, or tailored from pre-set design options.
How long does custom-made furniture take to create?
The lead times for custom-made furniture vary depending on the size of the order, materials, source location, and existing projects. In Australia, custom-made furniture can be produced in as little as four weeks, but more realistic lead times are from 12 weeks onwards. If in doubt, check with your furniture retailer for its specific schedules.
What does custom furniture cost?
Like ready-made furniture, the cost of custom pieces varies greatly. While exact pricing is difficult to provide, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2000 to several thousands per item. The cost will of course depend on the materials used, the level of detail and the time required to craft the piece. For accurate quotes, contact your local designer furniture maker.
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