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Best Custom Furniture Makers in Nashville
- Richard Gentry
- 17 hours ago
- 10 min read
Table of Contents
How We Evaluated the Best Custom Furniture Makers
Top Custom Furniture Makers in the Nashville Area 1. Richard Gentry Designs, Heirloom-Quality Woodworking Since 1999 2. Bayne Custom Woodworking, 3D Design and Locally Sourced Hardwood 3. Great Oak, One-Person Studio Built for Longevity 4. Nashville Custom Furniture, White Glove Delivery and Design Consultation 5. Elemental Arthouse, Custom Metal and Wood Fabrication 6. Jordan Allen Furnituremaker, Artistic, One-of-a-Kind Commissions 7. John Stevens Upholstery, Custom Upholstered and Built Furniture
1. Richard Gentry Designs, Heirloom-Quality Woodworking Since 1999
2. Bayne Custom Woodworking, 3D Design and Locally Sourced Hardwood
3. Great Oak, One-Person Studio Built for Longevity
4. Nashville Custom Furniture, White Glove Delivery and Design Consultation
5. Elemental Arthouse, Custom Metal and Wood Fabrication
6. Jordan Allen Furnituremaker, Artistic, One-of-a-Kind Commissions
7. John Stevens Upholstery, Custom Upholstered and Built Furniture
How to Commission Custom Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide What to Prepare Before Your Design Consultation What Happens After You Place the Order
What to Prepare Before Your Design Consultation
What Happens After You Place the Order
Best Wood Types for Custom Furniture: A Practical Guide
Getting a Custom Woodworking Cost Estimate: What Affects the Price
Handcrafted vs. Mass-Produced: Why the Difference Matters
Maintaining Your Custom Wood Furniture
Which Maker Should You Choose?
Last Updated: August 12, 2026
Finding the right artisan for a major furniture commission is harder than it looks. The Nashville area has no shortage of woodworkers advertising custom work, but the gap between a shop that builds to order and one that genuinely crafts heirloom-quality pieces is significant. This guide breaks down custom furniture makers serving Middle Tennessee, what separates them, and how to commission a piece that will outlast the trends.
Quick Picks:
Best Overall: Richard Gentry Designs, 25+ years of artisan experience, built to your exact vision
Best for 3D Design Preview: Bayne Custom Woodworking, SketchUp renderings before a single cut is made
Best for Metal-Wood Combinations: Elemental Arthouse, industrial and residential fabrication
Best for Upholstered Custom Pieces: John Stevens Upholstery, deep fabric selection, antique expertise
How We Evaluated the Best Custom Furniture Makers
We applied five consistent criteria: craftsmanship and materials (solid hardwood and proven joinery), design process transparency (consultations, renderings, or detailed drawings), specialization depth (mastery over breadth), responsiveness and communication (clear revision and approval workflows), and track record (years in business, repeat clientele, portfolio depth).
Maker | Specialty | Design Process | Best For |
Richard Gentry Designs | Full custom wood furniture | Personalized consultation | Heirloom-quality, precise sizing |
Bayne Custom Woodworking | Locally sourced hardwood | 3D SketchUp renderings | Clients who want to see it first |
Great Oak | Dining tables, built-ins | Direct artisan collaboration | Durability-focused buyers |
Nashville Custom Furniture | Custom builds + delivery | Design consultation | White glove service |
Elemental Arthouse | Metal and wood fabrication | Custom quote | Industrial-modern aesthetic |
Jordan Allen Furnituremaker | One-of-a-kind art pieces | Direct maker collaboration | Artistic, statement commissions |
John Stevens Upholstery | Upholstered custom builds | Showroom fabric selection | Soft furnishings and seating |
Top Custom Furniture Makers in the Nashville Area
1. Richard Gentry Designs, Heirloom-Quality Woodworking Since 1999
Richard Gentry Designs is a top pick for clients needing furniture built to precise specifications with no compromise on craftsmanship. With over 25 years of artisan experience, the studio handles everything from farm tables and desks to custom cabinetry and beds. What sets it apart is the combination of bespoke design and exact sizing, this is the maker to call when nothing off the shelf fits your space or vision. Awkward corner dimensions, non-standard ceiling heights, specific wood grain preferences: these are the problems this studio solves.
The design process starts with a personalized consultation, then every element is tailored: species selection, finish, joinery method, and dimensions. The result is furniture built to last generations.
Best for: Homeowners and interior designers seeking heirloom-quality, precisely sized custom wood furniture with a deeply personalized process.
Best For Clients with a specific vision, an unusual space, or a design that mass-market retailers cannot accommodate.
2. Bayne Custom Woodworking, 3D Design and Locally Sourced Hardwood
Bayne Custom Woodworking offers detailed 3D renderings in SketchUp before fabrication begins, a real differentiator most local makers don't provide. Owner Roger Bayne personally makes every measurement and cut, sourcing wood from local lumber mills in Tennessee and Indiana. Seeing a dimensionally accurate model eliminates visualization uncertainty and reduces the risk of expensive revisions after fabrication.
Best for: Clients who want to approve a 3D rendering before committing to production.
3. Great Oak, One-Person Studio Built for Longevity
Great Oak operates as a one-person studio where every piece is built by the same hands that designed it. The studio specializes in dining tables, built-ins, and bedroom furniture, with an explicit focus on longevity. A one-person structure is a deliberate guarantee: full accountability for the entire result. The tradeoff is capacity, expect longer lead times during busy periods.
Best for: Buyers who prioritize direct artisan accountability and furniture built to endure.
Website: Great Oak Furniture Studio
4. Nashville Custom Furniture, White Glove Delivery and Design Consultation
Nashville Custom Furniture emphasizes the full ownership experience, from initial design consultation through white glove delivery. Professional delivery and placement matter for large or complex pieces, and not every maker includes it.
Best for: Clients who value end-to-end service and want professional delivery handled without separate logistics.
5. Elemental Arthouse, Custom Metal and Wood Fabrication
Most woodworking studios work exclusively in wood. Elemental Arthouse works in both metal and wood, opening up design possibilities purely timber-focused makers can't match. They serve both residential and commercial clients and are the only maker on this list equipped for mixed-material or industrial designs.
Best for: Clients with industrial or mixed-material design requirements, and commercial projects.
6. Jordan Allen Furnituremaker, Artistic, One-of-a-Kind Commissions
Jordan Allen Furnituremaker is a true one-person studio where every piece is designed and built by Jordan Allen directly. The studio is oriented toward artistic, statement commissions. Direct collaboration means your input shapes the piece from the first conversation, and free estimates lower the barrier to exploring a project.
Best for: Clients seeking a genuinely unique, artistically driven piece with direct maker involvement.
7. John Stevens Upholstery, Custom Upholstered and Built Furniture
John Stevens Upholstery brings antique furniture restoration expertise to custom-build work. The focus is on upholstered pieces, beds, ottomans, chairs, headboards, sofas, with a showroom stocked with high-quality fabrics for in-person selection. This is the most specialized option for soft-furnished custom pieces.
Best for: Clients commissioning custom upholstered furniture who want hands-on fabric selection and traditional craftsmanship.
How to Commission Custom Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide
What to Prepare Before Your Design Consultation
Arrive at your first conversation with these elements ready:
Dimensions of the space - Measure the room, doorways, and architectural features (ceiling height, alcove depth, baseboard height).
Reference images - Collect 5-10 photos that communicate the feeling, finish, and style you want.
Wood species preference - Share your preference for walnut, white oak, cherry, or maple. If unsure, the maker will guide you.
Intended use - A dining table for daily family meals requires different construction than a decorative console.
Budget range - Sharing a rough budget helps the maker propose appropriate materials and methods.
Timeline - Communicate any hard deadlines upfront.
Pro Tip Bring a floor plan sketch for built-ins or unusual spaces. Even a rough hand-drawn diagram helps a maker understand constraints that photos can't capture.
What Happens After You Place the Order
Most custom furniture makers follow this sequence:
Design finalization - The maker produces detailed drawings or 3D renderings for your approval. Changes at this stage cost far less than changes during fabrication.
Material selection - Wood species, finish, hardware, and secondary materials are confirmed.
Deposit - Most makers require a deposit before fabrication begins.
Fabrication - The build phase typically takes 6-14 weeks for a full custom piece; complex projects run longer.
Finishing - Staining, oiling, lacquering, or waxing.
Delivery and installation - Some makers include delivery; others arrange it separately.
Best Wood Types for Custom Furniture: A Practical Guide
Walnut is the most popular choice for high-end custom furniture. Its dark, rich grain photographs beautifully, machines consistently, and is genuinely durable, though it costs more than most other domestic hardwoods.
White Oak has become dominant for contemporary and transitional interiors. It's harder than red oak, takes stain evenly, and its distinctive ray fleck pattern adds visual interest. It's also more moisture-resistant, making it practical for dining tables and kitchen furniture.
Cherry starts light and deepens to reddish-brown over time as it reacts to light. That patina is either a selling point or a concern depending on your expectations. Cherry is fine-grained and finishes smoothly, suiting traditional and transitional styles.
Maple is among the hardest domestic hardwoods, ideal for pieces that take daily punishment: desks, kitchen tables, workbenches. Its tight, pale grain is less visually dramatic than walnut or cherry, but it holds up exceptionally well.
Reclaimed Wood offers character, sustainability, and aged aesthetic. Sourced from old barns, factories, or demolished structures, it carries visual history that new timber can't replicate. It requires more preparation work and can be less dimensionally consistent, affecting cost and lead time.
According to the Forest Stewardship Council's guidance on responsible wood sourcing, choosing FSC-certified or reclaimed lumber is the most reliable way to verify responsible harvesting.
Getting a Custom Woodworking Cost Estimate: What Affects the Price
Wood species is the single largest material cost driver. Walnut and figured maple cost significantly more than poplar or pine. If budget is a constraint, ask which species delivers the closest aesthetic at lower cost.
Complexity of design - Curved legs, inlaid details, intricate joinery, and non-standard angles add fabrication time. A simple farm table costs less than one with tapered legs, breadboard ends, and hand-cut mortise-and-tenon base.
Dimensions - Larger pieces require more material and time. A 10-foot dining table is not simply twice the cost of a 5-foot table; structural engineering requirements change at scale.
Finish type - An oil finish is simpler to apply and easier to repair. Lacquer or catalyzed finishes require more preparation, application time, and specialized equipment.
Lead time pressure - Rush projects typically carry a premium.
All seven makers operate on a quote-based model. Contact each directly for a project-specific estimate. For Richard Gentry Designs, visit the website to start the conversation.
Watch Out Be cautious of any maker who provides a firm quote without asking about wood species, dimensions, and finish. A quote given without those details isn't a real estimate.
Handcrafted vs. Mass-Produced: Why the Difference Matters
Mass-produced furniture is engineered for cost efficiency. Handcrafted furniture optimizes for the specific piece and its intended use. The structural difference shows in joinery: mass-produced furniture relies on cam locks, dowels, and staples; handcrafted pieces use mortise-and-tenon joints, dovetails, and through-wedged tenons that get stronger with time and can be repaired.
Material quality is the other major gap. Production furniture uses engineered wood products and veneers; custom furniture uses solid hardwood throughout, allowing the piece to be sanded, refinished, and restored rather than discarded.
As noted in the Woodworkers Guild of America's guide to furniture construction, solid wood furniture built with traditional joinery can last for generations, while production furniture typically has a lifespan measured in years.
Maintaining Your Custom Wood Furniture
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Abrasive dust particles scratch finishes over time. Microfiber cloths work well; avoid paper towels.
Avoid direct sunlight. UV exposure bleaches and dries finishes. Position furniture away from windows or use UV-filtering window treatments.
Control humidity. Maintain indoor humidity between 35% and 55% year-round to reduce cracking, warping, or joint separation. The Environmental Protection Agency's indoor air quality guidance recommends this range for general indoor health as well.
Use coasters and felt pads. Heat and moisture from glasses damage finishes. Felt pads prevent scratching.
Re-oil or re-wax oil-finished pieces annually. Oil finishes penetrate the wood and need periodic replenishment.
Address scratches early. Minor scratches in oil-finished furniture can often be buffed out with fine steel wool and re-oiled.
Pro Tip Ask your maker which finish was applied before purchasing any maintenance product. The right product depends entirely on the finish type.
Which Maker Should You Choose?
For most homeowners and interior designers seeking heirloom-quality, precisely sized custom wood furniture, Richard Gentry Designs is a strong choice. Over 25 years of hands-on artisan experience and the ability to build anything from farm tables to full cabinetry make this a studio that handles projects others decline.
If your design requires 3D visualization, Bayne Custom Woodworking's SketchUp process removes uncertainty. For metal elements or commercial millwork, Elemental Arthouse is an equipped option. For upholstered pieces, John Stevens Upholstery's fabric expertise makes it a specialist choice.
Match the maker's depth of specialization to your project type. A one-person studio building dining tables for two decades will outperform a generalist on that category. The makers on this list were chosen because each has a genuine area of depth.
For further guidance, the American Society of Furniture Designers' consumer resources offer useful context on industry standards and what distinguishes professional furniture design practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does custom furniture typically cost?
Custom furniture pricing depends on wood species, piece complexity, joinery techniques, finish selection, and the maker's level of experience. A simple solid-wood side table costs far less than a full custom cabinetry installation or a large bespoke dining table. Because every commission is built to order, most artisan woodworking studios provide quote-based pricing after a design consultation. Contact Richard Gentry Designs directly for a current estimate tailored to your specific project.
How long does the custom furniture design process typically take?
Project timelines vary by maker and complexity. A straightforward piece like a custom desk may take four to eight weeks from design consultation to delivery. Larger commissions, built-ins, bedroom sets, or commercial millwork, can run three to six months. Discuss your renovation or move-in deadline upfront so the maker can confirm whether your timeline is achievable before you commit.
What are the benefits of choosing custom-built furniture over mass-produced pieces?
Custom furniture is built to your exact dimensions, wood species preference, and finish. Unlike mass-produced pieces, handcrafted furniture uses solid wood and traditional joinery, which holds up far longer under daily use. You also get a piece designed around your specific space, critical for awkward corners, low ceilings, or rooms where standard sizing simply does not fit. Heirloom-quality craftsmanship means the piece can be passed down rather than replaced.
What wood types are best for custom furniture that lasts?
Hard, dense species perform best for furniture built to last decades. White oak resists moisture and shows beautiful grain. Black walnut offers rich color and excellent workability. Hard maple is dense and ideal for tabletops and cabinetry. Cherry darkens attractively with age. The right choice depends on the piece's function, the finish you want, and your budget, since rarer species cost more. Your furniture maker can recommend the best match during the design consultation.
How do I find a reputable custom furniture maker near me?
Start by reviewing a maker's portfolio for pieces similar to what you need. Look for evidence of solid-wood joinery, not veneer over MDF. Ask about lead times, what the revision process looks like, and whether they offer any satisfaction guarantee before production begins. Local artisans with verifiable years of experience and real customer references are a safer choice than anonymous online marketplaces. Richard Gentry Designs has over 25 years of documented craftsmanship serving Middle Tennessee.
The challenge with custom furniture isn't finding someone who will take your money, it's finding a maker whose craftsmanship, process, and specialization match your specific project. Richard Gentry Designs brings over 25 years of artisan experience to every commission, with the ability to build precisely to your vision and your space across a full range of furniture types, from farm tables and desks to cabinetry and beds. Visit RichardFGentry.com to start your design consultation.
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