It can be done beautifully, even on fluted fronts and curved ends. But one-off pieces cost more per item than you might expect. Here's how it's priced, and where you get the best value.
The short answer
Almost any solid piece of furniture can be wrapped: TV units, sideboards, chests of drawers, desks and shelving. The TV unit in these photos has fluted drawer fronts, rounded ends and a curved plinth, and every part was wrapped with the grain running the right way.
Whether it's worth it depends on the piece. For a single item, wrapping often costs more than people expect, and sometimes more than buying new.
How it's priced
There are two parts to the price: the film and the fitting.
Film costs between £35 and £65 + VAT per linear metre, depending on the finish. Plain colours sit at the lower end; textured woodgrains and stone effects at the top.
Fitting is charged at £50 + VAT per hour. Flat panels are quick. Fluted fronts, curved ends and lots of edges are slow, careful work, and that's where most of the time goes.
Why one-off pieces cost more
Every job has the same set-up: travel, cleaning, degreasing, repairs and priming before any film goes on. On a single piece, all of that is carried by one item.
Film also comes off the roll in full widths, so a small piece can still need a good length of film, and the offcuts often can't be used elsewhere.
Where you get the best value
Wrapping makes the most sense on bigger projects. A kitchen, a run of fitted wardrobes, or a whole room spreads the set-up and film across many doors and panels, so the cost per piece drops a long way.
If you're having your kitchen wrapped, it's the ideal time to add a sideboard, TV unit or shelving in the same finish.
When a single piece is worth it
A well-made piece you love that's simply the wrong colour. Built-in or made-to-measure furniture that would be expensive to replace. Or a piece that needs to match a room exactly.
If it's flat-pack furniture that's cheap to replace, we'll tell you honestly that buying new may be the better option.
Getting a price
Send us a few photos and rough measurements and we'll give you a guide price before we visit. If you have other furniture or a kitchen in mind, mention it, as it could bring the cost per piece down.
Higher cost per item
- Setting up, prep and travel are spread over one item
- A whole length of film is needed, even for a small piece
- Fiddly detail like flutes or curves is all hands-on time
Better value
- Set-up and travel are shared across many doors and panels
- Film is used across the whole job, with less waste
- Everything matches, because it's the same film throughout
