Custom Furniture in the UAE: What You Can Change and What You Cannot
Quick answer
Realistically customisable: overall dimensions within a range, fabric and colour, leg and base finish, seat firmness, and modular configuration. Not customisable: the structural design, the frame engineering, and usually the stone top size.
Expect 20–35 working days for a custom order versus 3–7 for stock, and expect custom pieces to be non-returnable unless faulty. Only customise what fixes a real problem — a 12 cm gap, a fabric that clashes, a left-hand chaise.
In this guide
The four things worth customising
- Length: shortening a sofa by 10–20 cm so it clears a door or a wall return is the most common and most useful change.
- Fabric: choosing a performance weave instead of the showroom fabric, especially for majlis and family living rooms.
- Orientation: left-hand or right-hand chaise, or a corner that turns the other way.
- Firmness: firmer foam for heavier use, softer for a formal majlis that is used occasionally.
These four solve 80% of the reasons people ask for custom. They also keep the price close to the standard model, because the frame jig and pattern already exist.
What is not worth asking for
Changing the depth of a seat by 15 cm, redesigning an arm, or specifying a different spring system rebuilds the piece from scratch. The price typically jumps 30–60%, the lead time doubles, and the result is a prototype with no track record. If the standard model does not work at all, you are usually better choosing a different model than redesigning this one.
| Change | Usually possible | Effect on price | Effect on lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length ±10–20 cm | Yes | +5–15% | +5–10 days |
| Fabric / colour change | Yes, within the mill's range | 0 to +20% | +7–14 days |
| Leg / base finish | Yes | 0 to +8% | +3–7 days |
| Seat firmness | Yes | 0 to +5% | +3–5 days |
| Chaise orientation | Yes on modular | 0 | +5–10 days |
| Seat depth change | Rarely | +30% or more | Doubles |
| New silhouette / arms | No | — | — |
The measurement work is yours
Custom only pays off if the number you give us is right. Measure the wall, the door width, the lift interior, and the tightest turn on the route. Photograph the tape measure against the wall — it sounds excessive until you discover the wall you measured was 12 cm shorter than you thought because of a skirting board.
Cost, lead time and the return trade-off
A custom sofa typically costs 10–25% more than the standard model and takes three to five weeks instead of a few days. In exchange you lose the right to change your mind: under UAE consumer protection, a correctly made custom piece is not returnable for a change of heart, only for a genuine defect. That is a fair trade if the customisation solves a real constraint — and a bad one if it is only about wanting something slightly different.
How to brief a custom order properly
A good brief is one page: a sketch with dimensions, a photo of the room, the fabric reference, and the delivery constraint. Vague briefs are the main reason custom orders disappoint — not workmanship.
- Sketch the wall and mark the dimension line where the piece will sit, including skirting.
- State the constraint in numbers: 'must pass an 85 cm door', 'maximum 210 cm because of the AC bulkhead'.
- Send the fabric code, not a photo of a fabric under shop lighting.
- Confirm what happens at the edges: visible piping, seam placement, leg finish.
- Agree the delivery window before production starts, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order a sofa in a custom size in the UAE?
Yes, within a range — typically ±10–20 cm on length. Seat depth and silhouette changes are usually not offered because they require a new frame.
How long does custom furniture take?
20–35 working days door to door, versus 3–7 working days for in-stock items.
Is custom furniture returnable?
Generally no, unless it has a manufacturing defect. Custom pieces are made to your specification and cannot be resold.
Is custom furniture more expensive?
Usually 10–25% more than the standard model for size and fabric changes; 30–60% more for structural changes, which are rarely worth it.
Need a piece that fits an awkward space?
Send the wall measurement, a photo and the tightest point on the delivery route. We will confirm what can be adjusted and what cannot.
Talk to us
