Blog

What to Expect: The Custom Sofa Process from Order to Delivery

Ordering a custom sofa is different from buying off a showroom floor. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you place your order to the day it arrives at your door.Week 1: Order Confirmation and MaterialsOnce your order is placed, we confirm all specifications: dimensions, fabric selection, leg finish, cushion fill. We then order your specific fabric from the mill. Some fabrics ship within days; specialty materials can take 2-3 weeks.Weeks 2-4: Frame ConstructionYour frame is built by hand in our Hickory workshop. Kiln-dried hardwood is cut, joined, and reinforced at stress points. Corner blocks are glued and screwed—not stapled. The frame is the skeleton of your sofa; we don't rush it.Weeks 3-5: Spring System and FoundationDepending on your configuration, we install either eight-way hand-tied springs or a sinuous spring system. Webbing is stretched and secured. The foundation layer of padding goes down.Weeks 5-6: UpholsteryThis is where the magic happens. Your fabric is carefully cut to minimize waste while ensuring pattern alignment. An experienced upholsterer—most of ours have 15+ years of experience—stretches, tacks, and finishes every surface. Cushions are filled and fitted.Week 7: Quality Check and ShippingEvery piece is inspected before leaving our workshop. We check seams, cushion fit, leg alignment, and overall finish. Then we arrange white-glove delivery to your door.Why 50 Days?We could work faster. Some manufacturers promise 2-3 weeks. But speed requires shortcuts: pneumatic staples instead of hand-tied joints, assembly-line upholstery instead of single-craftsman attention.Our 50-day lead time is honest about what quality takes. We'd rather set realistic expectations than deliver something we're not proud of.Tracking Your OrderYou'll receive updates at key milestones: fabric received, frame complete, upholstery started, ready to ship. If you have questions at any point, we're a phone call away.

Custom Sofa vs. Off-the-Shelf: What 400+ Interior Designers Taught Us

Over the years, we've partnered with more than 400 interior designers across the country. In conversations with them, one question comes up repeatedly: when does custom make sense, and when is off-the-shelf the better choice?The Real Cost EquationCustom furniture costs more upfront—there's no getting around that. A Formentto sectional starts around $6,000, while you can find something at a big-box retailer for $2,000. But designers tell us the math changes when you factor in longevity."I've had clients replace their retail sofas twice in 10 years," one Los Angeles designer told us. "My clients with quality custom pieces? They're still using them 15 years later, and they still look beautiful."When Custom Makes Sense Unusual room dimensions - Standard sizes rarely fit challenging spaces perfectly Specific fabric needs - Performance fabrics, exact color matching, or specialty materials Investment pieces - Furniture you plan to keep for decades Design cohesion - When every detail matters to the overall vision When Off-the-Shelf Works Rental properties or temporary spaces Budget is the primary constraint You need furniture immediately (custom requires patience) The space is likely to change soon The Designer PerspectiveMost designers we work with use a mix. They'll specify custom upholstery for the hero pieces—the living room sofa, the primary bedroom seating—and supplement with retail finds for secondary spaces."The sofa is what people sit on every day," a designer from Nashville explained. "It's worth investing there. The guest room? That's where I'll find something off the floor."At Formentto, we're not trying to be everything to everyone. We make heirloom-quality seating for people who value craftsmanship and are willing to wait 50 days for something built specifically for them. If that's not your priority right now, that's okay—there's a time and place for everything.

Blog

What to Expect: The Custom Sofa Process from Order to Delivery

Custom Sofa vs. Off-the-Shelf: What 400+ Interior Designers Taught Us

0 Products

Your cart is empty