Business Details
50 Years
experience
Custom Real Wood Furniture Experts in Aurora, OH
Wayside Workshop Furniture & Gift Co. has been a family-owned and operated business since 1976, serving Northeast Ohio with quality real wood furniture. Our commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted source for custom and unfinished furniture. We relocated to Aurora's Historic District in 2017, continuing our tradition of providing American-made furniture with personalized finishing options. Our team of experienced professionals specializes in custom design, finishing, and customer service, ensuring each client receives tailored solutions for their home or office.With over 45 years of combined experience, we maintain strong relationships with manufacturers like Hallagan Fine Furniture and Arthur W. Brown, offering exceptional value and quality. Our dedication to community and customer-centric approach has earned us a loyal clientele across Northeast Ohio.
Services
Custom Furniture
Unfinished Furniture
Furniture Finishing
Custom Bookcases
Furniture Repair
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1976 with deep local roots in Aurora, OH
- Certified 'Real Wood Furniture-Finished Your Way' retailer
- Experienced finishers with 30+ years of combined expertise
- Knowledgeable sales team specializing in custom solutions
- Exclusive partnership with Hallagan Fine Furniture for upholstered pieces
Associations and certifications
- Real Wood Furniture-Finished Your Way
What people say
Exceptional quality
Knowledgeable staff
Great customization
Loyal service
Beautiful upholstered furniture
Services
Custom Furniture
We create tailored furniture solutions for every room, from bedroom sets to office wall units. Our designers work with your dimensions and style preferences to craft unique pieces using premium maple, oak, or pine. With over 30 styles and unlimited finish options, we transform your vision into reality while maintaining American-made quality standards.
Furniture Finishing
Our professional finishing service offers 31 stain and 20 paint colors using General Finishes products. We apply multiple topcoats with hand-buffing between layers for durable, showroom-quality results. Whether restoring antiques or finishing new pieces, our experienced team ensures flawless execution matching your decor preferences.
Custom Bookcases
We design and manufacture bookcases in widths from 18-60 inches and heights up to 96 inches. Choose from federal, face frame, shaker, or regal styles with optional crown molding and bead board backs. Our modular systems allow corner configurations, L-shapes, and custom depths to maximize your space's potential.
Unfinished Furniture
We offer a comprehensive selection of unfinished wood furniture including dressers, nightstands, and entertainment centers. Made from solid maple, oak, or pine, these pieces allow creative customers to apply their preferred finishes. We also provide finishing supplies and expert guidance for DIY projects.
Furniture Repair
Our experts provide touch-up services for water-based painted surfaces and wood stains. We offer maintenance guidance for preserving finishes, including proper cleaning techniques and humidity control. We also repair accidental damage using matching materials to maintain your furniture's appearance and value.
People
Jane Schulze-Ulmer
Co-Owner
Third-generation furniture expert with 30+ years of experience, Jane manages daily operations and customer relations. She continues her parents' legacy of quality craftsmanship and personalized service.
Ken Ulmer
Co-Owner
With 25 years in furniture retail, Ken oversees store operations and vendor relationships. He specializes in helping customers visualize custom solutions for their living spaces.
Karen Schulze
Custom Finishing Manager
Karen leads our finishing department with 20+ years of experience in wood treatment. She ensures every custom-finished piece meets our exacting standards for durability and aesthetic appeal.
Questions
What types of wood do you offer for custom furniture?
We offer maple, red oak, and pine for all custom furniture pieces. Each wood type offers unique grain patterns and durability characteristics suitable for different applications.
Can I customize the dimensions of furniture pieces?
Yes, we create custom sizes and configurations for all furniture types. Bring your dimensions and design ideas for personalized solutions that fit your space perfectly.
Do you offer finishing services for existing furniture?
We specialize in refinishing both new and existing furniture pieces using professional-grade stains, paints, and topcoats to meet your specific design needs.
What is your return policy for custom furniture?
Custom furniture is final sale, but we guarantee quality craftsmanship. We work closely with customers during the design process to ensure complete satisfaction before production.
How long has Wayside Workshop been in business?
We've served Northeast Ohio since 1976, starting in Chardon before moving to Aurora in 1983. Our family-owned business has over 45 years of combined experience in furniture retail.
Do you carry ready-to-assemble furniture?
We focus on quality real wood furniture that's built to last. Our pieces are solid wood construction with traditional joinery methods, not ready-to-assemble particle board products.
