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Industry // Interior Design
How Designers Source Furniture for Penthouses
Published October 24, 2025
Written by EA Support Team
Read Time Approximately 11 minutes
Night skylines and spaces that define luxury? Penthouses are the kind of homes most people can only dream of. With exclusive amenities like rooftop terraces, plunge pools, wine cellars, and private libraries, every detail is designed to complement premium-grade items and craftsmanship, creating a truly top-of-the-line living experience.
But sourcing and outsourcing these high-end materials is never an easy task for interior designers and project managers. If you’re interested in how the process works, here are some key discussions on outsourcing luxury items.
What kind of interior design is suitable for a penthouse?
Penthouses are about maximum comfort, privacy, and a sophisticated ambiance. Interiors should be attractive, elaborate, and contemporary. Penthouses thrive on open terraces and balconies.
Outdoor spaces for example, can be designed creatively, with rustic, natural, or modern elements. Furniture should sync with interiors, floor patterns, and ambiance. Sectioned seating, polished wood, and carefully chosen layouts create an exclusive look. Here are some key considerations to focus on:
Color Choices
Colors should complement the space and furniture. Neutral or earth tones provide sophistication; contrasts can highlight key features.
Lighting
Lighting is crucial as it enhances luxury and sets the mood. Pendant lights, LED accents, table lamps, and sconces all have functional and aesthetic roles.
Windows and Doors
Large, often floor-to-ceiling windows bring in light and showcase views. Frameless or simple-framed windows maintain elegance and luxury.
Room Embellishments
Rooms should not be overfilled; every piece should be intentional. Custom furniture, high-end finishes, wall paneling, and designer appliances add personality.
Where do Designers Find Luxury Furniture and Standout Pieces?
- Going Online
This is the easiest way to find something valuable, but surprisingly, not everyone talks about it. Here are the 2 easiest tips to do it:
- Use Google Lens
This one’s a go-to thing if you happened to scroll through socials like Instagram and found something gorgeous, maybe a cushion or chair, just go to Google Images, either on your phone or on desktop, click the camera icon or “Search by Image”.
The next step is to upload a screenshot or photo of the item you love, then crop to focus on the product you’re after. Google will instantly pull up matching or similar items from across the web. The clearer the image, the better the match.
- Shop the Look at Pinterest
It’s collectively the place to look for inspiration, and if you happen to scroll through and tap an image that catches your attention, click the “Explore” or “Shop the Look” option at the bottom.
Pinterest scans the photo, highlights shoppable surfaces, and links you to retailers selling similar items, and sometimes it’s the exact one you’ve been eyeing.
2. Direct from Manufacturers
This one’s a bit controversial these days, where usually manufacturers from China are starting to “expose” luxury brands to reveal that they produce many luxury goods, often for a fraction of the retail price. Manufacturers just ask for the floor plans and provide you with rendered drawings, whether for penthouse, villa, or mansion furnishings.
Some analysts believe that while the revelations threaten to damage consumer trust and fuel the dupe market, legacy brands may use this as an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to European craftsmanship and highlight the unique value of their products.
3. Showrooms and Industry Events
- Virtual Showrooms
Usually, designers and architects travel around the world, but after the pandemic hit, the format has been reframed, and professionals moved to virtual showrooms.
The showroom is contained in a webpage having access to a full 360° experience that lets you move through the entrance hall, dining, living, and cozy bedroom. Relevant information about hard-to-find pieces is also available.
- Tradeshows and Events
If you want to stay updated with what’s new in design, the best thing to do is join the biggest design events around the world. These design events give you amazing chances to learn from experts, discover new trends, and connect with people in the industry.
Furniture Commissioning Process
- Consultation
The designer meets with the client to understand their style, needs, and the penthouse layout. This step sets the vision and helps determine the budget and timeline.
- Selecting Designers
Clients choose skilled designers or luxury brands who can create bespoke pieces that match the penthouse’s aesthetic. The selection often depends on reputation, past work, and compatibility with the client’s taste.
- Planning and Approval
Prototypes, sketches, or 3D models are created for review. Clients approve designs, finishes, and materials, and adjustments can be made to ensure everything fits perfectly in the space.
- Realization
The furniture is crafted by artisans or luxury manufacturers, often taking several weeks to months, depending on complexity and customizations. High-end pieces may involve special materials, handwork, or intricate detailing.
- Delivery
The finished pieces are transported and installed in the penthouse, sometimes with white-glove service. Designers may oversee placement, scale adjustments, or modifications to make sure everything aligns with the intended layout and style.
How to Deliver High-end Furniture for High Rise Buildings
Penthouses are made to let you live luxuriously and comfortably, including a perfect view of the city at night and a cozy fireplace. It’s no surprise that amenities here require careful handling. Architects often rely on a white glove delivery service.
Instead of the typical shipping process, which moves items quickly through large-scale handling channels, the service relies on skilled professionals who oversee every stage personally, from receiving and transporting to unpacking and setting up the items in the room of choice.
FAQs
This is not always the case for penthouses, as they are usually more personalized for the owner. But, it is true for luxury rentals. Penthouses intended for sale are typically unfurnished, allowing buyers and interior designers to create bespoke spaces for the owner’s luxury taste. Luxury rentals and turnkey penthouses, on the other hand, often come with designer furnishings for an effortless and elevated move-in experience.
Penthouses feature high-end, custom-designed furniture that complements their luxurious architecture and spacious layouts. Common pieces include bespoke sofas, designer dining sets, statement coffee tables, built-in cabinetry, outdoor lounge furniture for terraces, art displays, and accent lighting. Every piece is carefully curated to satisfy owners through the designer’s vision.
Yes, many penthouses allow fireplaces, but traditional wood-burning types are rare due to safety rules. Most modern penthouses use gas, electric, or ethanol fireplaces, which provide warmth and ambiance while following building regulations.
If furniture is too large for the elevator, professional movers use alternative methods such as hoisting pieces through windows or terraces or disassembling and reassembling them on site. Freight elevators or service lifts may also be used, with prior coordination from building management. These steps require careful planning to protect both the furniture and the property.
Delivering large furniture is managed through detailed planning and coordination among logistics teams, movers, and installers. From site assessment to final placement, every step is executed carefully to ensure smooth transport, proper fit, and adherence to design and building requirements.
The safest and most reliable method is using a white glove delivery service. It includes pre-delivery inspections, protective packaging, elevator and access planning, and on-site assembly, guaranteeing that each piece arrives in perfect condition and is placed exactly as intended.
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