Furniture materials and finishes

Solid wood, metal frames, and surface materials selected for durability and long-term use

Our materials

Selected for longevity. Crafted for life.

At by Crea, materials are not something added at the end. They are the foundation. We take time to choose every steel tube, every plank of oak, and every length of fabric for how it feels today and how it will age in years to come.

All materials are sourced within Europe and worked in our Malmö factory. We test, cut, weld, coat, and upholster everything in the same space. This lets us follow each piece closely from raw material to finished furniture.

“We do not chase trends. We select textures, colors, and finishes that belong in real homes for decades.”

FSC

Certified wood

Europe

Where our materials come from

0

Solvents in our powder coating

10 years

Warranty

Wood

We work only with real, living wood, responsibly sourced and crafted to last for generations. Our solid oak brings natural warmth and character to every design, while our FSC-certified teak offers unmatched durability for outdoor living. Both are chosen for their honesty, strength, and timeless beauty, no chemicals, no shortcuts, just pure craftsmanship.

Flatlay of Scandinavian-inspired material samples including oak wood, taupe and brown vegan leather, white bouclé fabric, and Dekton stone surfaces in neutral tones, styled with greenery on a marble background.

Fabrics

Every by Crea® piece is made to be lived with. Our fabrics are chosen not for trends, but for their feel, longevity, and integrity, from vegan leather and velvet to bouclé and outdoor acrylic. Each material is hand-cut and upholstered in our Malmö factory, tested for strength, cleanability, and comfort that lasts.

Sustainably sourced, beautifully tactile, and crafted to endure, fabrics made for real life, not showrooms.

Metal

At the core of every by Crea® design lies precision-crafted steel.

We work exclusively with high-grade European steel, welded and powder-coated by hand in our Malmö factory to achieve unmatched strength, stability, and longevity. Our matte powder coating is solvent-free, highly durable, and environmentally responsible, protecting each frame against corrosion, UV, and wear for decades of everyday use. Sustainable, structural, and endlessly recyclable, steel is where design and durability meet.

Stones

Our surfaces are chosen for their beauty, resilience, and integrity, where natural tactility meets technical innovation. We work with Dekton® and Caesarstone®, two of the most advanced materials in the world, engineered to perform for a lifetime.

Dekton® offers unrivaled durability, heatproof, non-porous, scratch-resistant, and UV stable, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Each slab is cut and finished in our Malmö factory to fit seamlessly with our steel and oak structures.

Caesarstone®, made from premium quartz, combines natural depth with refined precision. Resistant to stains, scratches, and moisture, it delivers a smooth, enduring surface perfect for timeless design.

Both are crafted with sustainability in mind, carbon neutral production, recycled content, and circular processes that align with our commitment to responsible craftsmanship.

Precision-cut solid oak components for bar stools in production at by Crea’s factory. Showcasing Scandinavian craftsmanship and sustainable furniture manufacturing using FSC-certified wood.

Sustainability through durability

We believe true sustainability begins with making things properly. Every piece is handmade in our own factory in Malmö, which keeps waste, storage and transport low.

Our powder coatings contain no solvents or VOCs, and our replaceable-parts system lets you order cushions or seat elements years later, so your furniture can evolve with you without ever being replaced.

Because our designs are modular, you can change a cushion or a fabric part for a new colour, or simply refresh what you already love. Durability is our sustainability: the longer a piece lasts, the fewer replacements the world needs.

“Real sustainability isn't about recycling faster, it's about not replacing what never needed to be replaced.”

Flatlay of Scandinavian material swatches featuring oak wood in light and medium tones, and Dekton stone surfaces in warm neutrals, soft greys, and deep charcoal, styled with green leaves on a marble backdrop.

Material samples

We want you to feel sure of your choice. Order the samples you want to test at home, or a complete fabric chart, and see the colours in your own light before you decide.

Order samples

Each by Crea® product is a dialogue between materials, the cold precision of steel, the warmth of oak, the softness of fabric, and the strength of stone. Together, they create furniture that feels balanced, tactile, and unmistakably Scandinavian.

“We choose materials the way others choose words, carefully, purposefully, and with emotion.”
Alexandra Pettersson, Founder and Designer
Black and white photo of the by Crea flagship store located on Jörgen Ankersgatan in Malmö, Sweden, featuring a minimalist entrance flanked by two windows displaying handcrafted Scandinavian furniture. Our storyOne bar stool, one workshopHow a frustration in 2017 became a furniture company. Our founderAlexandra PetterssonA family of makers, and the courage to build in Sweden. Black-and-white close-up of a craftsman's hand marking upholstery fabric beside a patterned textile roll, capturing the precision and care of handmade furniture production in Sweden. Our productionMade under one roofFrom raw steel to finished piece in Malmö.

FAQ

What materials are used in by Crea® furniture?

by Crea® primarily uses steel, solid wood, and selected upholstery materials.

Steel is used for frames where structural stability is required. Solid wood is used where material thickness and load-bearing strength are critical.

Upholstery materials are selected based on durability, cleanability, and long-term performance. All materials are chosen for daily use rather than decorative effect.

Why does by Crea® use steel frames instead of lighter metals?

Steel is used because it provides predictable strength and long-term stability.

Steel frames:

  • resist deformation under daily load
  • maintain tight tolerances over time
  • support slim proportions without compromising strength

Lighter metals would require thicker profiles to achieve the same durability. Steel allows both structural reliability and minimal visual weight.

How are upholstery materials selected?

Upholstery materials are selected based on measured durability and maintenance requirements.

Key evaluation factors include:

  • abrasion resistance
  • color stability
  • ease of cleaning
  • suitability for daily seating

Materials are tested for consistent performance over time. Visual qualities are considered secondary to functional reliability.

Are by Crea® materials suitable for commercial environments?

Yes. Many materials used by by Crea® meet or exceed requirements for public and commercial use.

Steel frames and durable upholstery materials are suitable for:

  • restaurants
  • cafés
  • offices
  • shared spaces

Material choices are not separated into “home” and “commercial” categories. The same standards apply to both.

How do material choices affect product lifespan?

Material selection directly determines how long furniture can be used.

Steel and solid wood structures support long-term load without fatigue. Durable upholstery reduces surface wear and premature replacement.

Some models allow replacement of upholstered components. This extends the usable life of the product without replacing the full structure.

Materials are chosen to support decades of use, not short-term cycles.