How Kiri Bamboo makes custom-made bamboo furniture (Part 1)

Creating a superb piece of furniture from bamboo requires many days of effort to achieve the desired result.

The first step is to collaborate with potential clients. We discuss their design ideas and check if we have similar pieces in stock or from previous orders to showcase. If they want an entirely new design—something we’ve never created before—we ask them to provide drawings or photos for reference. This helps us determine how to adapt their vision using Cambodian bamboo.

We cannot guarantee exact replication of designs from references. Why? There are over 1,000 bamboo species worldwide, each with unique appearances and properties. Designs meant for specific species may not translate to the varieties we use in Cambodia.

Clients often see beautiful furniture online labeled as “bamboo,” only to later discover it’s made from rattan, wood, or other materials. We clarify these distinctions upfront to set realistic expectations.

The example of furniture made of rattan, not from bamboo (Photo by Kiri Bamboo

Our furniture is crafted entirely by hand by Cambodian artisans. Unlike machine-prefabricated furniture, handmade pieces have organic imperfections—slight unevenness, visible grain, or asymmetrical curves. These “flaws” are not defects; they’re proof of human craftsmanship. While our furniture may lack machine-like precision, it carries a unique, natural charm cherished by those who value authenticity.

The example of pre-fabricated (machine-made) furniture (Photo by Kiri Bamboo)

Once design details are finalized and we’re confident in fulfilling the order, we proceed to the next phase: selecting bamboo species, confirming measurements, and preparing a quotation. We’ll delve into these steps in Part 2 of this series!

Stay tuned!

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Part 2: How Kiri Bamboo makes custom-made bamboo furniture

Part 3: How Kiri Bamboo makes custom-made bamboo furniture