A lot of people like the idea of having unique furniture. The thought of being able to say "I helped design this" or "I know the woodworker who made this" is very appealing. And, of course, custom woodworking is usually a little bit more expensive than buying something off the shelf at IKEA. But what a lot of people don't realize is that there are actually quite a few advantages to hiring a custom woodworker instead of going the more traditional route. Here are eight reasons why you should consider hiring a custom woodworker for your next project.

1. You get exactly what you want. 

When you hire a custom woodworker, you get to be involved in the design process from start to finish. This means that you can have a say in everything from the type of wood that's used to the overall dimensions of the piece. If you've ever tried to find the perfect piece of furniture only to come up empty-handed, then you know how frustrating it can be. But when you work with a custom woodworker, you can finally get that elusive perfect piece that you've been searching for.

2. You're supporting a local business. 

When you buy from a big box store, your money goes to corporate headquarters who then use it to open up new stores in other parts of the country (or even other parts of the world). But when you buy from a local business, your money stays right here in the community. That's good for everybody!

3. It's better for the environment. 

Most big box stores get their furniture from overseas where environmental regulations are often lax (or nonexistent). That means that they're not held accountable for their impact on the environment and they often use unsustainable practices. When you buy local, however, you can be sure that sustainable practices were used in both the harvesting of the materials and the construction of the piece itself. 

4. The quality is usually better. 

Furniture from big box stores is mass-produced and designed to meet a certain price point. That means that corners are often cut in terms of both materials and construction quality. When you hire a custom woodworker, on the other hand, quality is usually one of their top priorities. After all, their reputation depends on it! 

5. It will last longer. 

Because custom furniture is usually made with higher-quality materials and better construction techniques, it will last much longer than its mass-produced counterpart from IKEA (or any other big box store). If you take care of it, your piece could easily become an heirloom that gets passed down for generations. 

6. You can choose eco-friendly options. 

As we mentioned before, most big box stores get their furniture from overseas where environmental regulations are often lax (or nonexistent). But when you work with a local business, you can choose eco-friendly options like FSC-certified wood or formaldehyde-free adhesives without having to worry about whether or not those products meet your country's environmental standards. 

7 . It will be unique. 

Because every piece is made by hand, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike—even if they're made from the same plans! That means that your piece will be truly one-of-a-kind and unlike anything else on the market. 

8 . You'll have peace of mind knowing who made it. 

When you buy from a big box store, chances are good that you'll never meet the person who made your furniture . But when you hire a custom woodworker, you'll usually have an opportunity to meet them and ask them about their process. This gives you peace of mind knowing exactly who made your piece and how it was made.