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Materials

What it is made from

Material choice affects how fitted furniture looks, feels and performs over time. We specify each material for its stability, durability and finish, choosing what is best suited to the design and how the furniture will be used.

Our material range includes moisture-resistant MDF, natural wood veneer, melamine and decorative boards, as well as grooved, slatted and other feature panels. These can be combined within a project to achieve the right balance of appearance, durability and cost.

The range

4 boards and the hardware

Materials

MR MDF

A stable, moisture-resistant board that we use as standard for painted fitted furniture.

Used for

Painted wardrobes, alcove units, built-in furniture, panelling and detailed door profiles.

In its favour

  • Dimensionally stable, with far less seasonal movement than solid timber
  • Takes paint smoothly, with no grain showing through
  • Profiles, grooves and mouldings cut cleanly
  • Consistent throughout, with no knots or natural defects
  • Offers greater resistance to moisture and humidity than standard MDF

The trade-offs

  • Cut edges need to be properly sealed and prepared before painting
  • Moisture-resistant does not mean waterproof, so it is not intended for prolonged exposure to water
  • It has no natural grain; where a timber appearance is wanted, we use real wood veneer instead

Materials

Natural wood veneer

The character and variation of real timber, combined with the stability of an engineered board.

Used for

Fitted furniture and interior joinery where the look and feel of real timber is wanted. It can be used throughout a project, from doors and cabinetry to shelving and panelling, with the grain selected and matched where the design calls for it.

In its favour

  • A genuine timber surface, with the natural grain and variation of real wood
  • More dimensionally stable than using wide sections of solid timber
  • Grain and pattern can be matched across adjoining doors and panels
  • Can be stained and finished in a wide range of tones, allowing the timber to complement existing flooring, doors or furniture
  • Available in a wide range of timber species

The trade-offs

  • The timber layer is thin, so a deep scratch cannot be sanded out the way solid wood can
  • Every visible edge is finished with a matching timber strip, which is part of the work
  • Natural veneers develop subtly with age and light; painted and decorative finishes stay more consistent

Materials

Melamine and decorative boards

Hard-wearing, consistent and available in a wide range of colours, textures and wood-effect finishes.

Used for

Wardrobe interiors, shelving and complete fitted furniture where a durable, factory-finished surface is wanted. Available in plain colours, wood effects and textured finishes to suit different interiors.

In its favour

  • Hard-wearing and easy to clean
  • Consistent colour and finish from panel to panel
  • Wide choice of colours, textures and wood-effect finishes
  • No painting or staining required, reducing finishing time and cost

The trade-offs

  • The colour and finish are selected from an existing range rather than created specifically for the project
  • Unlike painted MDF, the finish cannot simply be repainted in a different colour later
  • Damaged or chipped surfaces can be more difficult to repair invisibly than a painted finish

Materials

Decorative and feature panels

Textured, grooved and specialist panels used to add depth, pattern and detail to fitted furniture and interior joinery.

Used for

Feature panels, cabinet fronts, wall panelling, TV units and other fitted joinery where the surface forms part of the design. Options can include fluted and grooved MDF, slatted panels, textured surfaces and panels incorporating metal or other decorative elements.

In its favour

  • Adds depth and texture beyond a flat painted or veneered surface
  • Can be used selectively as a feature or carried across a larger fitted installation
  • Available in a wide range of patterns, profiles and materials
  • Can be combined with painted MDF, veneer and other finishes within the same project

The trade-offs

  • Detailed and textured surfaces can require more cleaning than flat panels
  • Some specialist panels have fixed dimensions, patterns or repeat sizes that need to be considered during the design
  • Cost and lead time vary considerably depending on the panel and finish specified

Materials

Hardware

Quality hardware is specified as standard, using established manufacturers such as Blum and Häfele for hinges, drawer systems and furniture fittings.

Used for

Hinges, drawer runners, lift-up mechanisms, interior fittings and other moving components that determine how the furniture feels and performs in everyday use.

In its favour

  • Smooth, reliable operation for doors and drawers
  • Precise adjustment, helping doors and drawer fronts stay properly aligned
  • Soft-close hinges and drawer systems included as standard where appropriate
  • Wide range of specialist fittings for different furniture and storage requirements
  • Manufacturer warranties apply to hardware alongside our own workmanship guarantee

The trade-offs

  • Quality hardware adds to the initial cost of the project, but it provides smoother operation, better adjustment and greater durability over the life of the furniture

How it is finished

Finishes

Painted furniture can be hand-painted or spray-finished in a wide range of colours. Natural wood veneer can be left in its natural tone or stained to achieve the colour and character desired, from light and subtle to rich, dark finishes. Factory-finished decorative boards offer a further range of colours, wood effects and textures.

The right finish depends on the design, how the furniture will be used and the overall look you want to achieve.

The parts you use every day

Hardware

We specify quality hardware from established manufacturers such as Blum and Häfele, alongside other specialist systems where the project requires them. Soft-close hinges and drawer systems are included as standard where appropriate.

Good hardware affects how furniture feels in everyday use: doors close smoothly, drawers run properly and components can be precisely adjusted to stay aligned. It costs more than basic alternatives, but provides better operation and greater durability over the life of the furniture.

Hinges, drawer runners and other moving hardware are also covered by their respective manufacturer warranties, alongside our own workmanship guarantee.

Why not solid timber

The one worth asking about

Solid timber has its place, but for most fitted furniture engineered boards offer greater stability and consistency. MR MDF is ideal for painted furniture, while natural wood veneer gives the character of real timber with far less solid hardwood.

We consider sustainability in the materials we specify, aiming to use them efficiently, minimise waste and choose responsibly sourced products wherever possible.

Enquiries

If you have a room in mind, start here.

Write with rough dimensions, a photo or two, and a sense of what the piece needs to do. You will get a considered reply, not a brochure.

Get a quote

Prefer to call or message?Call 07309 872555WhatsApp

Fitted wardrobes from £2,300Lead time typically 4 to 8 weeksServing homes across London

Enquiries

If you have a room in mind, start here.

Rough dimensions, a photo or two, and a sense of what the piece needs to do gets you a considered reply, not a brochure.

What do you need?

Tick everything that applies.

The room, rough sizes, and what it needs to hold is plenty.

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