Handcrafted vs mass produced – Sofa Design and Manufacture, Perth

The choice between handmade or mass produced furniture is a big one for the discerning consumer in today’s market.

With artisan workshops making somewhat of a comeback over the last few years, the question worth asking is exactly what is the differences between handmade and mass produced designs? Let’s start with definitions of each and then look at what you can expect from each process.

A mass produced or machine made product that is basically made from start to finish by a machine or mechanical device. The major benefit is that the product can be made quickly compared to its handmade version. Every product will be very close to being identical. Cheaper prices coupled with high demand have increased mass production from countries such as China and India to cater for the ever expanding home renovation and design market.

A unique art in modern times, the handcrafted method is a lot more labour intensive and generally associated with high-end products. Countries known for their handmade products include Italy, England, France and Germany, though artisan workshops in Australia continue to gain great recognition on the global stage. Basically, someone is creating and assembling a product by hand. There is a huge focus on care and delivering the best product – the perfect design, the right stitch, the right colour, the best material and so on.

Why machine made?

Let’s look at two main reasons – price and demand.

Price
Why should I pay the same amount of money for a product that either looks the same or does the same job?
Demand
I want this exact design and I want it now. This mentality is what drives the mass produced market. Consumers follow an incoming trend and demand that exact look.

Why handmade

Let’s look at two main reasons – uniqueness and quality.
Uniqueness
I want a piece of furniture that’s original. I want input into the design in relation to materials and size. I have specific requirements that just can’t be met by mass produced products. No two handmade products are the same and this gives the design a sense of individuality that just cannot be replicated by the mass production process.
Quality
I demand quality that will last for years, not just until the next seasons new trends.This is a major advantage of handmade products. With so much attention put into these products they tend to last much longer and perform better over time. This is the real beauty and value of being handmade.

So what becomes clear is that handmade vs. mass produced is more of a ‘what type of consumer are you’ question more than anything else. If you are concerned about price and changing your furniture with every incoming trend, perhaps mass produced furniture is for you. If you are concerned with quality, longevity and the unique style of your furniture, then handmade is what you are looking for. Torrance and McKenna offer extensive customisation on every handmade design we produce, come into our workshop in Osborne Park to discuss what we can do for you or call us on 08 9443 9500.