Formaer vs. Made in Ply: How both UK custom furniture brands address the modern market
- Andrei Macaneata
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
Formaer and Made in Ply are UK‑focused furniture brands that bring customisable furniture directly to customers through online configurators and bespoke design options. Both brands let you design pieces that fit your space, but they take different approaches to materials, configurability, finish options, assembly and product range. This comparison cuts through the key differences to help you decide which option is right for your home.
Brand Overview
Formaer
Formaer specialises in highly customisable modular furniture and shelving systems designed to fit exactly to your space. It combines architectural design principles with an intuitive 3D configurator and AI‑assisted tooling, enabling bespoke dimensions, configurations and finishes with millimetre precision. Formaer’s furniture ships flat‑pack with a tool‑free, “click‑in‑place” assembly system that’s engineered for easy DIY installation. (Formaer)
Made in Ply
Made in Ply is a UK‑based furniture maker focused on customisable plywood furniture with a minimal aesthetic. The brand offers a range of products — desks, tables, shelves, storage pieces and kitchen components — that you can scale to your exact dimensions and colour choices. All design and production take place in the UK, with precision CNC cutting and hand finishing.
Configuration & Design Freedom
Formaer
Offers full dimensional freedom: width, height, depth and internal layout can be controlled precisely through a 3D configurator.
Designed for spaces that aren’t standard — e.g., alcoves, odd angles and asymmetrical walls — with a focus on storage and room‑wide systems.
You can preview your design in AR before ordering.
Talk to 'aer', Formaer's AI-powered interior designer that will guide you through each step of designing your dream unit. (Formaer)
Made in Ply
Uses a customisable configurator that lets you set sizes and colours for plywood furniture.
Products are typically from a set range of designs that scale to fit your space.
You approve technical drawings before production to ensure your measurements are accurate.
Takeaway:Both brands provide made‑to‑measure solutions, but Formaer emphasises architectural adaptability and click-in-place systems, while Made in Ply emphasises minimal plywood pieces that scale to size.
Materials & Finish Options
Formaer
Offers a broad selection of materials — coloured laminates, wood effects, premium finishes and modern surface options — so furniture can coordinate with interior design schemes.
Materials are integrated into the modular system allowing variety across storage types. (Formaer)
All pieces are melamine faced and have 2mm rounded edgebanding.
Made in Ply
Only offers plywood and plywood‑based components with options for coloured or veneered surfaces.
Prioritises clean, minimal finishes and visible wood aesthetics, reflecting the strength and simplicity of plywood.
Takeaway:If you want a wide material palette and finish variety, Formaer offers more diversity. Made in Ply leans into the beauty and simplicity of plywood.
Assembly & Installation Experience
Formaer
Built around a tool‑free, click‑in‑place assembly system, designed for quick DIY setup without screws or glue.
Ideal for customers who want a straightforward assembly experience.
Formaer pieces are assembled within minutes with no effort. (Formaer)
Made in Ply
Furniture uses traditional hardware assembly, sometimes requiring two people for larger pieces.
Flat‑packed items include instructions, and professional assembly assistance is available for an extra cost.
Takeaway:Formaer prioritises ease of assembly (no tools), while Made in Ply uses standard assembly methods and optional paid support.
Delivery & Lead Times
Formaer
Produces custom furniture on demand with local UK fabrication partners; delivery times are quick.
Free delivery is always included with orders. (Formaer)
Made in Ply
Custom pieces are produced after design approval and delivered across the UK.
Lead times vary by item and design complexity; products may have several weeks’ to months turnaround.
Design Use Cases
Use Case | Formaer | Made in Ply |
Custom shelving systems | Excellent | Good |
Quality | Excellent | Excellent |
Plywood aesthetic furniture | No | Excellent |
Architectural fit (odd spaces) | Excellent | Good |
Tool‑free DIY assembly | Yes | No (standard hardware) |
Professional assembly available | Not needed | Yes (extra) |
Broad finish palette | Very good | Plywood‑centric |
Customer Feedback & Reputation
Made in Ply reviews on platforms like Trustpilot show high satisfaction with quality and service, with customers praising precision, finish and communication during the ordering process.
Formaer brand feedback is consistently high and highlights the easy assembly experience and high degree of customisation, with customers emphasising the perfect fit for challenging spaces.
Cost
Made in Ply has very high manufacturing costs which are passed onto the customer.
Formaer uses a decentralised manufacturing network and is significantly cheaper than Made in Ply, without any compromises to quality.
Target Customer Profiles
Formaer customers typically:
Want custom storage and furniture systems that fit precisely to unique spaces.
Value tool‑free assembly and design flexibility.
Are interested in a wide finish and material palette.
Made in Ply customers typically:
Want minimalist plywood furniture that’s custom sized.
Appreciate natural plywood aesthetics and strong construction.
Are happy with traditional assembly or professional help at extra cost.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Formaer if you want architectural modular furniture with a wide range of finishes and tool‑free assembly — excellent for customised storage systems, shelves and bespoke layouts.
Choose Made in Ply if you prefer custom plywood furniture with a minimalist aesthetic, from desks to shelves and tables, and value precision plywood craftsmanship.
Both brands bring customisation to the forefront, but they differ in material focus, assembly experience and design emphasis — so your choice should align with what’s most important to your project.
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