A range of possible bespoke furniture finishes
Our in-house spray facility allows us to control every aspect of the finishing process from texture and sheen to colour depth and consistency. It’s what enables us to execute furniture finishes that others avoid, across even the most complex forms.
Below, we break down our furniture finishes by style category, from bold paint to timeless metal and natural looks.
Paint finishes: Gloss and matt options
Painted finishes offer clean lines, custom colour-matching, and an array of sheen levels. They’re ideal for both modern cabinetry and heritage-inspired design. From ultra-flat matt to reflective gloss, these surface treatments transform material into statement.
Laying off technique
The laying off technique finishes off with brush painting to bring a more tactile, traditional quality to the surface. It’s a sprayed finish and layed off with a brush in the spray booth. The visible strokes and slight movement offer warmth and character, making it a favourite for heritage projects or spaces where a handcrafted feel is part of the design intent.
Spray-painted finishes
Spray painting delivers a smooth, factory-grade finish that’s consistent across large panels and intricate joinery. It offers full surface coverage without brush marks, making it perfect for achieving crisp edges and clean lines.
Dead matt
Dead matt finishes deliver a flat, light-absorbing surface with zero reflection. This ultra-modern look is often used in architectural settings where simplicity and restraint are key. Despite its soft, almost chalky appearance, it still offers excellent protection and smoothness to the touch, ideal for minimal joinery and monolithic surfaces.
Satin lacquer
A soft sheen with a refined glow, satin lacquer strikes a balance between gloss and matt. It gives joinery a clean, contemporary look with a touch of warmth, making it a popular option for built-in wardrobes, panelling, and kitchen cabinetry. Durable and forgiving, it works beautifully in high-use areas.
High-gloss lacquer (off the gun mirror finish)
High-gloss lacquer is a off the gun mirror finish using sheen level 100% for a wet look, mirror-like surface, usually precision-polished for a glass-like effect.
This finish is achieved through multiple coats of lacquer, meticulously sanded and polished to achieve extreme clarity and depth. It’s a high-impact choice, often used on statement cabinetry, curved islands, or standalone furniture pieces where light reflection is part of the visual strategy.
Metal effect finishes
Metal effect finishes introduce a refined, architectural quality to bespoke joinery, offering the visual and tactile appeal of solid metal without the associated weight, fabrication time or cost. These finishes are versatile, allowing for a range of applications from subtle accents to bold, statement pieces.
Liquid metal coatings
Liquid metal coatings are an innovative solution that allows real metal finishes to be applied. This process involves mixing fine metal powders with a binder. Once applied, the surface is sanded and polished to reveal the metal’s natural sheen, resulting in a finish that closely resembles solid metal.
This technique offers designers the flexibility to incorporate complex textures and patterns, including antique, brushed, or polished effects, into their joinery projects.
Common metal finishes
- Brass: Provides a warm, golden hue that adds elegance to any piece.
- Bronze: Offers a rich, brownish tone with a classic appeal.
- Iron metal grey: Delivers an industrial, modern look with its cool, grey finish.
- Stainless steel: Known for its sleek, silver appearance and high durability.
These finishes can be customised further with patinas, waxes, or clear coats to achieve the desired aesthetic, sheen and level of protection.
Distressed finishes
Distressed finishes embrace imperfections and texture, making them ideal for interiors where character and story are paramount. These finishes add a sense of history and authenticity to bespoke joinery pieces.
Crackle paint finish
Crackle paint is a decorative technique that creates a network of fine cracks on the surface, mimicking the natural aging process of paint.
This effect is achieved by applying a crackle medium between two layers of paint; as the topcoat dries, it contracts and reveals the base colour through the cracks. The size and pattern of the cracks can be controlled by varying the thickness of the crackle medium and topcoat. Crackle finishes are versatile and can be sealed with different sheen levels, from ultra-flat to gloss, depending on the desired aesthetic.
Crackle paint finishes work particularly well on panels, drawer fronts, and feature cabinetry, adding depth and visual interest.
Burnished lacquer topcoat
A burnished lacquer topcoat involves applying a clear multiple lacquer to the wood surface, followed by polishing to achieve a subtle sheen.
This process enhances the natural grain of the wood and adds a layer of depth and movement to the finish.
The burnishing technique can create variations in tone, giving the piece a warm, aged appearance. It’s especially effective on surfaces where a soft, lived-in look is desired without compromising the integrity of the wood.
Brushed paint finishes
Brushed paint finishes involve applying paint with a brush rather than spraying, resulting in visible brush strokes and a more textured surface.
This hand-applied method adds a layer of craftsmanship and uniqueness to each piece. While not distressed in the traditional sense, the subtle irregularities and variations in the brushwork contribute to a softer, more organic aesthetic.
Brushed finishes are ideal for projects aiming for a rustic or artisanal feel, where the human touch is an integral part of the design.
Natural finishes
Natural finishes highlight the beauty of the material beneath, making these finishes ideal for understated, luxurious interiors. They celebrate the inherent character of wood, allowing its grain, texture and colour to take centre stage.
Bespoke stains
Our team are able to colour match any sample we’re given with a bespoke stain. We’re often tasked with matching wood finishes to flooring for a flawless finish.
Our ability to be consistent across units is unmatched. In a single kitchen there could be up to a thousand pieces of wood and we are meticulous in ensuring that the stain is consistent throughout.
Super natural oil finish
A super natural oil finish offers a breathable and matte surface that enhances the texture of timber.
This finish penetrates deep into the wood fibres, nourishing and protecting from within without forming a surface film. It accentuates the wood’s natural grain and colour variations, providing a tactile and organic feel.
Such finishes are particularly suitable for high-quality hardwoods like oak, walnut, and ash, where the natural beauty of the wood is a focal point.
Veneer with custom stains
Veneers with custom stains offer multiple grain and colour options, designed to enhance rather than hide the wood beneath.
This approach allows for the replication of exotic or rare wood species, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to solid wood.
Custom staining techniques can match existing woodwork or achieve unique finishes, offering flexibility and creativity in design. Proper preparation and application ensure a uniform and high-quality appearance that highlights the veneer’s natural beauty.
Matt lacquer (sheen 4%–20%)
Matt lacquer finishes, with a sheen level between 4% and 20%, offer protection without shine, allowing the raw character of the material to remain dominant.
This finish provides a subtle, non-reflective surface that emphasises the wood’s texture and grain. It is durable and resistant to wear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas while maintaining a natural and understated aesthetic.
Matt lacquers are ideal for contemporary designs that favour minimalism and authenticity.
Bespoke furniture finishes
At TECO, we specialise in creating bespoke furniture finishes that elevate each project with precision and personality. Whether you’re drawn to the depth of high-gloss lacquer, the rustic charm of crackle paint, or the quiet luxury of a natural oil finish, our workshop offers a tailored approach to style and material.
