Business Details
42 Years
experience
Custom Narrowboat Furniture Specialists
Established in 1984, Elite Furnishings has dedicated over 37 years to crafting bespoke narrowboat furniture solutions. Our expertise lies in designing space-saving sofa beds, chairs, and storage units tailored to the unique constraints of canal boats. Every piece is handmade in our Tamworth workshop using premium materials, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern functionality. We offer a full-service experience, including free measurements, on-site assembly, and custom fabric selection from over 1,000 options. Our commitment to quality is evident in our sprung mattresses, ottomans, and multi-functional designs that maximise comfort in confined spaces.With a focus on client satisfaction, we provide personalised consultations to ensure every creation fits seamlessly beneath gunwales and through narrow hatches. Our reputation as narrowboat specialists is built on decades of delivering durable, stylish solutions that transform living spaces on water. We pride ourselves on maintaining a boutique family business ethos while serving clients across UK canals and beyond. Our team's deep understanding of narrowboat ergonomics ensures every project balances practicality with aesthetic appeal.
Services
Sofa Beds
Storage Solutions
Bespoke Furniture
Mattresses
Custom Cushions
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer bespoke narrowboat furniture tailored to individual space requirements
- Our team handcrafts all products in our UK workshop using premium materials
- Free on-site measurement and guaranteed perfect fit service included
- 37 years of specialist experience in narrowboat interior solutions
- Multi-functional designs combine comfort, storage and gunwale clearance
What people say
Looks fantastic
Very comfortable
Free measurement service
Guaranteed to fit
Excellent craftsmanship
Services
Sofa Beds
Our custom sofa beds convert to sleeping spaces with lift-and-layback mechanisms. Designed to fit under gunwales, they feature sprung bases and storage compartments. Available in three-seat and two-seat configurations with multiple fabric options. Each unit combines comfort with space-saving functionality for narrowboat living.
Storage Solutions
Integrated storage furniture maximises limited boat space. Features include under-seat compartments, hidden storage in ottomans, and multi-functional designs. All storage units are custom-built to match boat dimensions while maintaining aesthetic appeal and practical access.
Bespoke Furniture
Handcrafted furniture tailored to individual narrowboat specifications. Includes dining sets, cabin seating, and convertible units. Made-to-measure process ensures perfect fit through hatches and beneath ceilings. Available in traditional and contemporary styles with client-selected materials.
Mattresses
Made-to-measure mattresses for boat berths in single, double, and king sizes. Options include memory foam, pocket spring, and latex technologies. Custom shapes accommodate curved or angled spaces while maintaining comfort and support for afloat living.
On-Site Assembly
Professional assembly service ensures perfect furniture fit aboard narrowboats. Our craftsman delivers pre-sectioned components and constructs units on-site. Includes final adjustments to guarantee clearance beneath gunwales and through hatch openings without compromising structural integrity.
People
Glen
Owner & Lead Designer
With over 37 years in narrowboat furniture design, Glen specialises in creating space-efficient solutions. He oversees every project from consultation to installation, ensuring each piece meets exacting standards while maintaining the company's family-run ethos.
Questions
Do you offer custom sizes for narrowboat furniture?
Yes, all our furniture is made to measure. We provide free on-site measurements to ensure perfect fit within your specific narrowboat dimensions.
What mattress types are available for boat berths?
We offer memory foam, pocket spring, latex, and standard coil spring mattresses in single, double, and king sizes, all custom-made to fit your boat's sleeping areas.
Can you deliver furniture through small boat hatches?
Our furniture is designed to fit through any hatch size. We deliver components in sections and assemble them directly on your narrowboat.
How long does the manufacturing process take?
Typical production time is 4-6 weeks from measurement to installation, depending on current order volume and fabric availability.
Do you provide fabric samples for selection?
Yes, we offer access to over 1,000 fabric options with sample swatches available for comparison in your boat's lighting conditions.
Is on-site assembly included in the price?
Yes, our quoted prices include full on-site assembly by our experienced craftsman to guarantee perfect installation within your narrowboat.
Reviews (7)
Mark Hyett
Aug 04, 2023
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Received our soft furnishings for our narrowboat today.
Thrilled to bits with them! Superb workmanship & fantastic quality. Nice and friendly company with great knowledge and advice.
Thrilled to bits with them! Superb workmanship & fantastic quality. Nice and friendly company with great knowledge and advice.
Emily Parker
Apr 13, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I stumbled upon elite furnishings by accident, I'm so glad i did, I now have an amazing sofa bed and recovered dinette. I would definitely recommend there services
Service:Couches/sofas
I stumbled upon elite furnishings by accident, I'm so glad i did, I now have an amazing sofa bed and recovered dinette. I would definitely recommend there services
Service:Couches/sofas
Anne Wheldon
Dec 13, 2020
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Fab service. ......mattress measured and delivered within a week. Will definitely recommend them ( in fact, we already have ) and use them again.
Chris S.
Oct 24, 2020
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We ordered a chair at Crick Boat show several years ago, and thankfully paid 50% deposit by credit card. Despite multiple attempts to contact them, the only time the phone was answered they stated they were answering a friends mobile. Finally managed to achieve a full refund via the credit card company. No idea why we were treated like this....I would love to know!
Karl Darby
Oct 02, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
great service from a well respected long standing company we are returning customers , new made to measure three seater sofa bed for our narrow boat quality that's built to last couldn't recommend highly enough.
great service from a well respected long standing company we are returning customers , new made to measure three seater sofa bed for our narrow boat quality that's built to last couldn't recommend highly enough.
Peter Lea
Sep 28, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Bought a corner unit sofa bed for our Narrowboat, excellent quality and service, will definitely be recommending this company.
Bought a corner unit sofa bed for our Narrowboat, excellent quality and service, will definitely be recommending this company.
Kate Danby
Jun 05, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Absolutely delighted with our new sofa bed, delivered today. Thank you Glen for a very efficient service. We will certainly be recommending you.
Absolutely delighted with our new sofa bed, delivered today. Thank you Glen for a very efficient service. We will certainly be recommending you.
