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10 Customizations for Amish Furniture
One of the biggest advantages of ordering Amish furniture is customization. Many of our pieces can be tailored to fit your home, your needs, and your personal style. While our website shows the most common options, many of our Amish woodworkers welcome additional customization requests. In fact, custom work is something many of them truly enjoy.
If you have an idea in mind that you do not see listed online, it is always worth asking. Our design consultants work directly with the woodshops and can guide you through available options, suggest alternatives, and help determine what is possible for your specific piece.
Below are 10 customizations many customers do not realize they can request.
1. Add a Grommet or Cord Hole
If you plan to use a desk, cabinet, or nightstand with electronics, a cord hole or grommet can make a big difference. This simple modification allows power cords to pass through neatly, so cables stay hidden and organized.
This is especially popular for:
- Desks
- Computer workstations
- Nightstands with lamps or chargers
- Entertainment centers
2. Replace Doors with Drawers or Drawers with Doors
Sometimes a furniture layout works almost perfectly but not quite. In many cases, our woodworkers can swap doors for drawers or drawers for doors to better suit your storage needs.
Common examples include:
- Replacing cabinet doors with drawers in a wine cabinet
- Adding drawers instead of doors in a lingerie chest
- Adjusting storage in a buffet or hutch
3. Change the Wood Type
Our website lists the wood species most commonly used for each product, but that does not always mean other woods are impossible.
In some cases, a piece can be built in another wood species even if it is not listed on the page. If you have your heart set on walnut, quarter sawn white oak, or another premium wood, ask us. We can check with the builder to see what is available.
4. Add a Lock
Locks are a practical addition for certain pieces of furniture, especially if you want to secure personal items.
This option is often requested for:
- Blanket chests
- File cabinets (sometimes each drawer)
- Jewelry armoires
- Office furniture
5. Reverse the Layout
Some pieces are designed with a left or right orientation. If the layout of your room requires the opposite configuration, many desks and cabinets can be reversed during the build process.
This is a common request for:
- L-shaped desks
- U-shaped desks
- Office furniture with file drawers or cabinets on one side
6. Add Additional Shelves or Adjustable Shelves
If you want more flexibility in how you store or display items, additional shelves can often be added. This allows you to adapt the piece over time as your storage needs change.
Adjustable shelving is especially helpful for:
7. Increase or Decrease the Size
One of the most powerful advantages of custom furniture is the ability to adjust the size. This is particularly useful for dining tables, desks, bookcases, and TV stands where the exact size matters.
If a piece is almost perfect but slightly too large or too small for your space, our woodworkers can often adjust dimensions such as:
- Height
- Width
- Depth
8. Add Electrical Features
Modern furniture often needs to support modern technology. In many cases, electrical components can be built directly into the piece. These upgrades are especially useful in desks, nightstands, and TV stands or entertainment units.
Popular options include:
- Electrical outlets
- Pop-up charging stations
- USB ports
- LED lighting
9. Convert to an Adjustable Bed
If you are considering an adjustable mattress base, many bed frames can be modified to accommodate that setup. We can help confirm whether a specific bed style can be adapted to work with an adjustable base while maintaining the beauty and craftsmanship of solid wood furniture.
10. Upgrade to Soft-Close Drawer Slides
Many pieces already include quality drawer slides, but customers sometimes request upgrades for a quieter and smoother experience. These are especially popular for dressers, nightstands, and office furniture.
Two common upgrades include:
- Soft-close side mount slides
- Soft-close undermount slides
Bonus Customization: Finish Matching and Expanded Stain Options
Finishes are one of the most important parts of how your furniture will look in your home, and there is often more flexibility here than customers realize.
In many cases, we can:
- Match an existing piece by custom stain matching to furniture you already own
- Apply a stain from another product even if it is not listed on the item you are viewing
This opens up significantly more possibilities and helps ensure your new piece works beautifully with what you already have.
If you are trying to coordinate with existing furniture, flooring, or cabinetry, we can guide you through the best approach and help determine what is possible with your selected piece.
Ask About Custom Options
Custom furniture is one of the reasons many people choose Amish craftsmanship. Our woodworkers take pride in building pieces that are designed to last for generations, and they are often happy to accommodate thoughtful customization requests.
If you do not see the exact option you want listed on our website, we are here to help. We can guide you through available possibilities, communicate with the woodshop, and help ensure your piece is built exactly the way you need it.
Sometimes the perfect piece is just one customization away.
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