Furniture fittings for bespoke joinery projects are selected by starting with load rating and finished carcass dimensions, not by aesthetics. The hardware constrains the joinery. Joiners who reverse that order rebuild carcasses. Selecting fittings for made to measure furniture is a specification discipline that runs from the first joinery drawing to the final ironmongery schedule.
This guide walks through how the main categories of joinery ironmongery selection should be approached on a bespoke project.
Drawer runners: load rating comes first
The most common mistake on bespoke joinery is choosing a drawer runner by aesthetic profile before checking its load rating. Kitchen drawer runners loaded with pans, cast iron and dinner services need runners rated for the actual load, not the empty drawer. Office drawers full of files can be surprisingly heavy.
Standard drawer runners come in load ratings ranging from around 25 kg to over 100 kg per pair. Undermount runners hide the mechanism below the drawer for a clean look. Side-mount runners expose the mechanism but often carry heavier loads. The choice affects the joinery drawing, not just the ironmongery order.
Cabinet hinges: overlay, opening angle, weight
Concealed cabinet door hinges are specified by three parameters: overlay type (full overlay, half overlay, inset), opening angle (95 to 170 degrees) and weight rating. All three must match the door before the joiner cuts the hinge cup.
On tall cabinet doors and heavy solid timber doors, weight rating is the parameter most often under-specified. A hinge rated for a light shaker door will not carry a solid oak larder door of the same size.
Wardrobe fittings: rails, lights, pull-outs
Bespoke wardrobes benefit from being planned as a system rather than as a set of components. Rail height governs hanging space. Lighting inside the wardrobe changes how the wardrobe is actually used every day. Pull-out rails and drawers turn dead corners into usable storage.
The full range of wardrobe fittings covers hanging rails in round, oval and square profile, pull-out variants, LED-illuminated rails, and organiser drawers. Choosing these before the joinery drawings are finalised means the internal dimensions are optimised.
Shelf supports: fixed, adjustable or concealed
Shelf supports are selected by load per pair, adjustability, and visibility. Concealed floating shelf supports allow shelves to appear unsupported, which suits contemporary interiors but requires the shelf itself to be built around the support rod. Adjustable bookcase strips allow shelf height to change over time.
Fixed shelf supports and brackets are the workhorse choice for practical joinery. Load per pair is the number to check. A shelf brimming with books is heavier than most homeowners estimate.
Coordinating the schedule with joinery drawings
On any bespoke joinery project, an ironmongery schedule should be built in parallel with the joinery drawings, not after them. This means matching drawer runner make and depth to the carcass depth, matching hinge cup diameter to the door thickness, and matching shelf support spacing to the fixed uprights. The full furniture fittings range should be reviewed at drawing stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What load rating do I need for kitchen drawer runners?
Kitchen drawer runners need a load rating that comfortably exceeds the working weight of the drawer contents. For everyday cutlery and utensils, 30 to 35 kg runners are adequate. For heavy pan drawers and full crockery drawers, 45 to 70 kg runners are more appropriate. Choosing a runner that runs consistently below its maximum rating extends smooth operation. Runners at the top of their rating wear faster.
Can I use standard hinges on bespoke cabinet doors?
Standard concealed cabinet hinges can be used on bespoke cabinet doors, provided the overlay, opening angle and weight rating match the door. Bespoke joinery does not always require bespoke hardware. The critical check is that the hinge cup diameter matches the drilled hole and the door thickness sits within the hinge specification. Heavy or oversized doors may need weight-rated variants.
What is the difference between undermount and side mount runners?
Undermount runners sit below the drawer, hidden from view when the drawer is open, giving a clean look popular in contemporary kitchens. Side mount runners fix to the side of the drawer and are visible when the drawer is open. Side mount runners often carry heavier loads for the same cost and are simpler to install. Both are reliable when correctly specified.
Should I specify furniture fittings before or after joinery drawings are finalised?
Furniture fittings should be specified alongside the joinery drawings, not after them. The hardware dictates carcass depth, door overlay, drawer front thickness and shelf spacing. Specifying fittings after drawings are finalised usually means either altering the drawings or accepting compromises in the fit. Coordinating both together produces a cleaner outcome.
Next Steps
SDS London has supplied architectural ironmongery to the trade and public for over thirty five years. Speak to the team on 020 7228 1185 for advice on furniture fittings, or use the SDS scheduling service for bespoke project