Furniture Modification in Warsaw — Resize, Shorten, Fit Into Any Space

Wardrobe does not fit the alcove, chest of drawers is too tall for the new flat, and the IKEA shelving unit does not clear the heating pipe in the corner? Buying new furniture for every non-standard situation is expensive and pointless when what you have is still solid. We modify furniture on-site: we shorten height and width, fit pieces into alcoves and openings, add shelves, remove unnecessary sections, and adapt units to new spaces. We work across Warsaw — we come, assess, and get it done.

How much does furniture modification cost and what affects the price

The cost depends on the scope: a simple leg trim is one story, while a full reconfiguration with new fascias and custom-cut parts is another entirely. Price factors include: the material (solid wood cuts differently from chipboard), the number of elements to modify, the need for edge banding (sealing exposed edges after cutting), and the complexity of fitting into an alcove (uneven walls, pipes, windowsills). Fixings are included. Extra materials (edge banding, hinges, new shelves) are charged separately. Check current prices in the table below.

How on-site furniture modification works

1. You describe the task: what needs changing, and you send photos of the furniture plus measurements of the space. The technician assesses feasibility and gives an approximate price.
2. We schedule the visit. The technician arrives with tools: track saw, jigsaw, router, cordless drill, orbital sander, spirit level, clamps.
3. On-site the technician takes precise measurements: the alcove, openings, pipe and socket positions. These are compared with the furniture dimensions to determine exactly what needs cutting or reconfiguring.
4. The furniture is taken apart into the required sections. Elements to be cut are marked out allowing for edge banding and clearances.
5. Cutting is carried out: for chipboard — a track saw with a guide rail (clean cut, no chipping); for solid wood — with subsequent edge sanding.
6. Exposed edges are sealed with melamine or PVC edge banding, pressed with an iron or heat gun, and trimmed flush.
7. The furniture is reassembled, positioned in place, clearances checked, doors adjusted, and drawers tested for smooth action.

Common mistakes when modifying furniture yourself

• Cutting chipboard with a jigsaw without a guide — the result is a ragged edge with chips. Laminated board must be cut with a circular saw fitted with a fine-tooth blade or a scoring module.
• Not accounting for edge banding thickness — cutting exactly to the alcove dimension, then finding the piece will not fit once the banding is applied. Allow 1 to 2 mm per banded edge.
• Shortening a wardrobe from the bottom without relocating the shelf fixings — after cutting, the lower holes end up at the wrong height.
• Ignoring wall curvature when fitting into an alcove — cutting to a single measurement, only to discover the walls diverge by 2 to 3 cm. Measure at several points: top, middle, bottom.
• Cutting the back panel together with the carcase — the HDF back is mounted separately and requires a different approach.
• Forgetting ventilation gaps — a built-in unit tight against the wall with no rear clearance can trap moisture, especially on external walls.
• Attempting to shorten solid wood furniture using the same method as chipboard — solid wood needs edge sanding, staining, or lacquering.
• Not checking for hidden fixings inside the furniture — sawing straight through dowels or confirmat screws.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Empty the furniture completely — modification with a full wardrobe is not possible.
• Take measurements of the alcove or space: width, height, and depth at several points (walls are often uneven).
• Photograph the furniture from all sides and the space it needs to fit into — send the photos to the technician in advance.
• Decide on the end result: just shorten? Remove a section? Add shelves? The more precise the brief, the faster the work.
• Mark pipes, sockets, and protrusions in the installation zone — the technician will cut around them.
• Provide workspace — cutting requires at least 2 x 2 metres of clear floor space.
• Confirm the furniture material: chipboard, MDF, or solid wood — this determines the tool kit.
• If you need edge banding in a specific colour, buy it in advance or let the technician know so he can match it.
• Protect the floor with film or cardboard — cutting generates sawdust and shavings.
• Provide the intercom code and parking information.
• Ensure ventilation — working with adhesive and edge banding may produce odour.

A real case from Warsaw

A client in the Ursynow district moved into a new flat and discovered his 220 cm wardrobe would not fit — the ceiling height in the new-build turned out to be 215 cm with the stretch ceiling installed. On top of that, the bedroom had a 140 cm alcove between the wall and the ventilation shaft, while the wardrobe was 150 cm wide. It needed both shortening and narrowing. We disassembled the unit into sections and removed the top panel and base. The top was cut with a track saw — clean edge, no chipping. Both side panels were shortened by 5 cm each, and the HDF back was trimmed to the new dimensions. One section with shelves was narrowed by 10 cm; the other was left unchanged. All exposed edges were banded in a matching colour — visually seamless. The wardrobe was placed in the alcove with a 5 mm gap on each side and 2 cm to the ceiling. Doors were rehung and hinges adjusted. The client later said it looked like a custom built-in wardrobe. The job took about five hours.

Frequently asked questions

What furniture can be modified?

Virtually any carcase furniture: wardrobes, chests of drawers, shelving units, cabinets, bookcases, sliding-door wardrobes. Limitations apply to furniture with complex curved geometry (bent fascias) and units where the carcase is a structural element that cannot be shortened.

Can you shorten a wardrobe in height?

Yes, this is the most common request. We remove the top panel, shorten the sides and back, refit the top, and band the edges. If the wardrobe has an overhead compartment, sometimes it is simpler to remove the compartment entirely.

How do you fit furniture into an alcove with uneven walls?

We measure the alcove at several points (top, middle, bottom). If the difference exceeds 5 mm, we make a contour cut on the back or side panel to follow the wall profile. The furniture sits snugly, and any remaining gaps are covered with a trim strip or silicone.

What happens to the edges after cutting?

An exposed chipboard edge looks rough and absorbs moisture. We apply melamine or PVC edge banding matched to the furniture colour. We select from a sample — in most cases the difference is invisible.

How long does modification take?

Simple shortening (one plane) — 2 to 3 hours. Fitting into an alcove with multiple cuts — 3 to 5 hours. Full reconfiguration with section replacement — from 5 hours.

What is included in the price?

The technician’s labour, use of his tools, and fixings. Materials (edge banding, additional shelves, hardware) and waste removal are charged separately.

Can you add shelves or remove unwanted ones?

Yes. New shelves are cut to size from chipboard, or the technician can source ready-made ones. Unwanted sections are removed and holes covered with caps.

Will there be a lot of dust?

When cutting chipboard, yes. The technician uses a saw with a dust extraction port and works on a protective mat. However, sawdust cannot be avoided entirely. We recommend covering nearby furniture with dust sheets.

Who does the work and how we operate

Furniture modification is carried out by technicians experienced in carpentry and cabinetry. We cut precisely, band edges cleanly, and reassemble securely — after modification the furniture looks as though it was always that size. We cover all of Warsaw and surrounding areas: Ursynow, Mokotow, Wola, Praga, Wilanow — we arrive with a full set of tools. To discuss your project, call or message us and we will reply within an hour.