Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handcrafted Sofas & Upholstery in Colchester
Alstons Cabinets Ltd is a distinguished British manufacturer of premium upholstered furniture, rooted in a heritage spanning over 160 years. Established in 1860 as a family-run cabinet-making business, we evolved into a leading upholstery manufacturer in 1951, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Our skilled team in Colchester creates bespoke sofas and sofabeds tailored to withstand the demands of modern living while maintaining timeless elegance.With over 350 fabric options sourced from European textile mills, we prioritise quality, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring every piece aligns with our ethos of durability and aesthetic excellence. Our commitment to British manufacturing, energy efficiency, and waste reduction underscores our dedication to both customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility.
Services
Custom Sofas
Sofabeds
Fabric Selection
Design Consultation
Trade Supply
Details
- Year established: 1951
Highlights and features
- We have over 70 years of expertise in British upholstery manufacturing.
- All sofas are made-to-order by skilled craftsmen in Colchester.
- Offering over 350 high-quality, flame-resistant fabric options.
- Committed to sustainability with energy-efficient practices and waste recycling.
- Award-winning designs inspired by British heritage and global trends.
Associations and certifications
- UKAS
Services
Custom Sofas
Crafted to order, our sofas blend timeless design with modern functionality. Each piece is meticulously assembled by skilled artisans using premium materials, ensuring durability and comfort. Ideal for families seeking furniture that complements both contemporary and traditional interiors while enduring daily use.
Sofabeds
Space-saving sofabeds transform seamlessly into beds without compromising style. Designed for versatility, these pieces feature sleek upholstery and compact frames, perfect for hosting guests in smaller living spaces while maintaining aesthetic appeal during everyday use.
Fabric Selection
Choose from over 350 interchangeable fabrics, including luxurious velvets and durable chenilles. Sourced from European mills, our textiles meet rigorous British standards for wear and colour-fastness, allowing clients to personalise furniture to match individual tastes and interior themes.
Design Consultation
Expert guidance on selecting shapes, sizes, and fabrics to suit specific spaces. Our team ensures each design balances form and function, offering tailored solutions that reflect current trends while maintaining timeless elegance and practicality.
Trade Supply
Supplying premium furniture to retail partners nationwide, we support businesses with high-quality, British-made products. Our trade-focused approach ensures retailers access exclusive collections, competitive pricing, and reliable logistics for customer satisfaction.
Questions
What is Alstons Cabinets Ltd' history?
Alstons Cabinets Ltd began as a family cabinet-making business in 1860 and transitioned to upholstery manufacturing in 1951, becoming a leading UK brand known for quality and innovation.
How can private customers purchase Alstons Cabinets Ltd furniture?
We supply exclusively to retail trade partners. Private customers can request a local stockist via our website to access our products.
What fabric options are available?
We offer over 350 interchangeable fabrics, including velvets, chenilles, and cotton weaves, sourced from European mills and tested to British standards.
Are Alstons Cabinets Ltd products sustainable?
Yes. We prioritise energy efficiency, recycle materials like wood waste and plastics, and use solar panels to reduce our environmental impact.
Do you offer customisation options?
All sofas are made-to-order with choices of shapes, sizes, fabrics, and leg styles, ensuring tailored solutions for individual spaces and preferences.
Reviews (7)
Keith Attwell
Jun 08, 2022
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Bought an Alston Suite from DFS, Morland, quality furniture. 7 week delivery because manufactured in UK. DFS were great at Longwell Green. Get formal backs not cushions
Andrew Fruin
Jun 04, 2022
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Ordered a sofa from this company via scs. It arrived damaged with poor stitching and a horrible smell. Sofa is still in our house leaving a room unuseable due to smell.
Shaun Johnston
Apr 26, 2022
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Ordered a sofa in February for delivery in April 8-10 weeks fine iv time to decorate to be told this morning its at least another 6 weeks wait I understand people have problems and staff are off work but at least have the decency to notify your customers and reassure them
Sandra Turner
Dec 29, 2020
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Have 2 sofas only 6 months old upholstery inside back cushions far to soft and cushions now look wrinkled. Zips have come away at seams. Seat cushions go down into frame once sat on. Poor manufacturing. Retailer where I purchased has sent an independent person to look at the sofas but don't hold out much hope as he was telling me to puff up cushions daily because that's how sofas go after a few months I told him not in my previous experiences of purchasing furniture. Make of furniture is Alston.
James Wycherley
Mar 13, 2019
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We had an Alston's Suit that lasted 17 years and was fabulous. We replace it with another from Alston's. The new suit is of poor quality and the seat cushions on the chairs are not the same depth as those of the settee and therefore do not match and look odd. Alston's say that this is how it's supposed to look. If you read their Website you would not expect shoddy manufacture. DO NOT BUY ALSTONS FURNITURE IT IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS.
Lynne Kober
Mar 07, 2019
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We previously had a Multi York Suite - this is of a much inferior quality. The cushions on the back of the sofa and chair are already indented and the scatter cushions are so poor (of the type I would expect to purchase in a Pound shop) that we are having to replace them. The suite is less than 10 months old. Very disappointed.
Sally C.
Feb 20, 2019
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We've recently bought 2 settees and are absolutely delighted with them! They are considerably more superior quality than most other makes of furniture and also the customer service we received was second to none. We have already recommended them to our friends who have admired our new furniture. It's so good to buy British made too. To the Alston's Team: Thank-you so much & keep up the good work!
